NFL Scouting Combine#20-yard shuttle

Tex Schramm, the president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 to 1989, proposed to the NFL competition committee a centralization of the evaluation process for NFL teams. Prior to 1982, teams had to schedule individual visits with players to run them through drills and tests.{{cite news |author=Crouse, Karen |title=Players Are Seen and Unseen At N.F.L. Scouting Combine |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E4DC103EF930A15751C0A9619C8B63 |work=New York Times |date=February 23, 2007 |access-date=February 26, 2012}} The national invitational camp (NIC) was first held in Tampa, Florida, in 1982.{{cite news |author=Mitchell, Fred |title=Where millionaires are separated from the boys |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24758293.html?dids=24758293:24758293&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+05%2C+1991&author=Fred+Mitchell%2C+Chicago+Tribune.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=Where+millionaires+are+separated+from+the+boys+Rookie+combine+the+final+test+for+NFL+hopefuls |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712215525/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24758293.html?dids=24758293:24758293&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+05,+1991&author=Fred+Mitchell,+Chicago+Tribune.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Where+millionaires+are+separated+from+the+boys+Rookie+combine+the+final+test+for+NFL+hopefuls |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=February 5, 1991 |access-date=February 25, 2012}} It was originated by National Football Scouting, Inc. as a means for member organizations to look at NFL draft prospects. For non-member teams, two other camps were created and used from 1982 through 1984. The NIC was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1984. It was renamed the NFL Scouting Combine following the merger of the three camps in 1985 to cut the cost of running the extra camps. It was held in Arizona in 1985 and once again in New Orleans in 1986 before permanently moving to Indianapolis in 1987.

Tests and evaluations include:{{cite web |title=Workout & Drills |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/workouts |work=NFL.com |access-date=February 25, 2012}}{{cite web |title=The NFL Scouting Combine |url=http://www.theredzone.org/NFLCombine.aspx |publisher=theredzone.org |access-date=February 25, 2012}}{{cite news |author=Casserly, Charley |author-link=Charley Casserly |title=Wonderlic Test is helpful, but certainly not a foolproof tool |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/09000d5d82729900/article/wonderlic-test-is-helpful-but-certainly-not-a-foolproof-tool |work=NFL.com |date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=February 25, 2012}}

• 40-yard dash
• Bench press of {{convert|225|lb|kg|0}}
• Vertical jump
• Broad jump
• 20-yard shuttle
• 3 cone drill
• 60-yard shuttle
• Position-specific drills
• Interviews – each team is allowed 60 interviews in 15-minute intervals
• Physical and injury evaluations
• Drug screening
• Cybex test
• Wonderlic test

Sports writers question whether these tests have any relationship with NFL performance.{{cite news |author=Ledbetter, D. Orlando |title=NFL's physical testing methods scrutinized |url=http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/nfls-physical-testing-methods-853734.html |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=February 25, 2012}} Empirical research published in 2011 found that the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle, and 3 cone drill tests have limited validity in predicting future NFL performance, suggesting that a prospect's past performance in college is a better indicator of future NFL performance than these physical ability tests.{{Cite journal|last1=Lyons|first1=B. D.|last2=Hoffman|first2=B. J.|last3=Michel|first3=J. W.|last4=Williams|first4=K. J.|year=2011|title=On the Predictive Efficiency of Past Performance and Physical Ability: The Case of the National Football League|journal=Human Performance|volume=24|issue=2|pages=158|doi=10.1080/08959285.2011.555218|s2cid=143657167 }}

The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a timed agility drill run primarily to evaluate athletes’ quickness and change-of-direction ability. Although not as highly regarded as the 40-yard dash, it is still an important measure used by NFL personnel to compare players. Canadian football also uses the shuttle test.{{cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/page/combine-drills|title=Prospect Central|website=CFL|access-date=August 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919110755/http://cfl.ca/page/combine-drills|archive-date=September 19, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

The name is derived from the total yards that athletes travel during the drill, also known as the "short shuttle" or the "5–10–5" drill." The athlete starts at the center of three cones set 5 yards apart. On the command of “Go“ they drive off their dominant leg in the opposite direction, touch the line 5 yards away, reverse direction and shuttle to the opposite line then 10 yards away, then reverse the final 5 yards back to the center.

Three attempts are allowed, with the best time selected for the record.{{Cite web |url=http://www.sportznutz.com/nfl/draft/combine.htm |title=NFL Scouting Combine |access-date=August 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806042347/http://www.sportznutz.com/nfl/draft/combine.htm |archive-date=August 6, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

The drill is designed to measure short-area quickness, lateral movement, flexibility and the speed at which a player can change directions. The drill also gives scouts an idea of how well a player can keep a low center of gravity as well as their ability to sink their hips.[http://nflcombineresults.com/nfl-combine-drills-101-what-each-drill-measures NFL Combine Drills Explained ]

At the NFL combine, the bench press is used as a test of muscle strength and stamina, in which athletes lift {{convert|225|lb|kg|0}} as many times as possible.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d806ceaab&template=with-video&confirm=true |title=Combine events: Bench press |work=NFL.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418165730/http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d806ceaab&template=with-video&confirm=true |archive-date=April 18, 2012 }}

Since 1994, only 20 players at the combine have managed to achieve more than 40 repetitions:

• 51 reps: Justin Ernest (1999){{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ycn-7663872|title=NFL on Yahoo! Sports - News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games|website=Yahoo Sports|access-date=January 14, 2017|archive-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424202053/https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news%3Fslug%3Dycn-7663872/|url-status=dead}}
• 49 reps: Stephen Paea (2011){{cite web|url=http://nflcombineresults.com/tag/bench-press/|title=bench press – NFL Combine Results|work=nflcombineresults.com}}
• 45 reps: Mike Kudla (2006), Mitch Petrus (2010), and Leif Larsen (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/McClain-40-times-fuel-combine-conversation-1635765.php/|title=McClain: 40 times fuel combine conversation|work=Houston Chronicle|date=February 24, 2008 }}
• 44 reps: Brodrick Bunkley (2006), Jeff Owens (2010), Dontari Poe (2012), and Netane Muti (2020)
• 43 reps: Larry Allen (1994), Scott Young (2005)
• 42 reps: Isaac Sopoaga (2004), Tank Tyler (2007), Russell Bodine (2014), Harrison Phillips (2018)
• 41 reps: Igor Olshansky (2004), Terna Nande (2006), David Molk (2012), Jordan Roos (2017),{{cite web |title=2017 Draft Scout Jordan Roos, Purdue NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=125009&DraftYear=2017 |website=draftscout.com |access-date=5 July 2022}} and Vita Vea (2018)

The NFL's first scouting organization, LESTO (Lions, Eagles and Steelers Talent Organization), was started in 1963 by the teams mentioned in its name with headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/butlers-retirement-marks-the-end-of-a-blest-career-488654/ | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Butler's retirement marks the end of a BLEST career – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=June 10, 2007}} It became BLESTO when the Bears joined the following year and BLESTO-V when the Vikings came on board later in the decade; by 1971 the Bills, Colts and Dolphins had joined and the group was known as BLESTO-VIII.{{cite news |title=Computer Makes NFL Draft Selections |work=The Daily Gazette |year=1971 |url=http://fultonhistory.com/newspaper%208/Schenectady%20NY%20Gazette/Schenectady%20NY%20Gazette%201971%20Grayscale/Schenectady%20NY%20Gazette%201971%20Grayscale%20-%201038.pdf }} It is now known simply as BLESTO despite the fact that the Bears and Eagles are no longer members.{{cite web |title=Who Are BLESTO & The National? |url=http://www.draftdaddy.com/features/blesto.htm |publisher=DraftDaddy.com |access-date=February 25, 2012 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018190638/http://draftdaddy.com/features/blesto.htm |url-status=dead }} The group's offices stayed in Pittsburgh until 2007 when the headquarters moved to Jacksonville, Florida, with support offices remaining in Pittsburgh.

CEPO (Central Eastern Personnel Organization), formed in 1964, was a joint venture of the Colts, Browns, Packers and Cardinals. Its name was changed to United Scouting after the Falcons, Giants and Redskins joined, then to National Football Scouting in 1983 to avoid confusion with the United States Football League, which began operations that year. National Football Scouting is now known simply as The National.

Another scouting organization formed in 1964 was Troika, launched by the Cowboys, Rams and 49ers. It was renamed Quadra when the Saints joined in 1967. Quadra no longer exists; its former members now all belong to The National.

As of the 2015 season, eighteen franchises participate in The National (Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans), with eight served by BLESTO (Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Washington Commanders). Each of the six non-affiliated teams (Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots) relies on its in-house scouting staff.{{cite news |author=Marino, Tom |title=The Scouting Combine's Role in Pro Scouting |url=http://profootball.scout.com/2/820118.html |publisher=Scout.com |date=December 10, 2008 |access-date=February 25, 2012}}

In a typical year, there are about 330 invited players. About 250 invitations are sent before bowl games are completed to those who have completed their seasons. However, underclassmen have until mid-January to confirm their draft status. Invitations are made to those receiving supermajority support from the selection committee.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Q-A-on-NFL-Scouting-Combine-invites.html|title=Q A on NFL Scouting Combine invites|access-date=January 19, 2012|date=December 30, 2011|work=National Football Post|author=Gabriel, Greg|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108100044/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Q-A-on-NFL-Scouting-Combine-invites.html|archive-date=January 8, 2012}}

Sportswriter Steve Silverman has expressed skepticism of the Combine's utility as a predictor of players' potential by citing the experience of Terrell Suggs in 2003. Suggs was an impressive defensive end for Arizona State, but when Suggs ran the 40-yard dash in a relatively slow 4.83 seconds, he was downgraded by NFL scouts. However, despite his lackluster performance at the NFL Combine, Suggs later became an elite defender for the Baltimore Ravens after being selected with the tenth overall pick, including 12.0 sacks during his rookie season.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/21/silverman-nfl-combine-is-overrated/|title=Silverman: NFL Combine Is Overrated|access-date=February 3, 2014|date=February 21, 2012|work=CBS Chicago|author=Silverman, Steve}} Doug Tatum of Times-Picayune argues that it is unlikely players will be asked to run a 40-yard dash again during their career.{{cite web|url=http://blog.nola.com/jeffduncan/2009/03/40yard_dash_is_just_a_waste_of.html|title=40-yard dash is just a waste of time for NFL prospects|access-date=February 3, 2014|date=March 15, 2009|work=The Times-Picayune|author=Tatum, Doug|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220125834/http://blog.nola.com/jeffduncan/2009/03/40yard_dash_is_just_a_waste_of.html|archive-date=February 20, 2014|url-status=dead}} Silverman says that the best way to scout is to simply watch them play.

Others think the value in the 40 depends on the position; Daniel Jeremiah, an NFL Network analyst and former scout, says "The position where the 40 holds the most weight is cornerback. If you're a receiver who runs a 4.6 like (Anquan) Boldin, but you have short-area quickness and strong hands, the 40 isn't a big deal. But if you're a cornerback who runs a 4.6 and you're facing a receiver who runs a 4.4, it doesn't matter how good your ball skills are."{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_25695466/nfl-draft-is-40-yard-dash-really-that|title=NFL draft: Is the 40-yard dash really that important?|work=mercurynews.com|date=May 4, 2014 }}

The NFL scouting combine was first shown on television in 2004. Media and cameras were historically prohibited, but with the launch of NFL Network on November 4, 2003, six installments of one-hour shows to recap the day's events aired in February 2004.{{cite news |author=Wood, Skip |title=NFL opens combine to curious cameras |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2004-02-18-nfl-open-combine_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=February 18, 2004 |access-date=February 26, 2012}}{{cite news |author=Sandomir, Richard |title=The NFL Network Wants You to Want It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/03/sports/football/03tv.html |work=New York Times |date=February 3, 2005 |access-date=February 26, 2012}} NFL Network aired two hours of combine workouts for each workout day in 2005,{{cite news |author=Clayton, John |title=Combine should be one of the busiest ever |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft05/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=1998670 |work=ESPN.com |date=February 25, 2005 |access-date=February 26, 2012}} 26 total hours of coverage in 2006,{{cite news |title=NFL Combine accompanied by hazy labor outlook |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2006-02-23-combine-cba_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date=February 23, 2006 |access-date=February 26, 2012}} 27 hours in 2007, and 25 hours in 2009.{{cite news |title=Exclusive coverage of NFL Combine on NFL Network, NFL.com |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d5d80eabff8&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true |work=NFL.com |year=2009 |access-date=February 26, 2012}} It began airing over 30 hours of Combine coverage starting in 2010,{{cite news |title=NFL Network, NFL.com to provide exclusive combine coverage |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d816865cf&template=null&confirm=true |work=NFL.com |year=2010 |access-date=February 26, 2012}} which received 5.24 million viewers.{{cite news |author=Hiestand, Michael |title=Combine: NFL niche that runs way over |url=https://www.usatoday.com/printedition/sports/20110225/hiestand25_st.art.htm |work=USA Today |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=February 26, 2012}}

In 2019, ESPN began to additionally provide live coverage from the Combine, with daily broadcasts of NFL Live on-site, including a two-hour edition airing on ABC with coverage of quarterback and wide receiver drills (marking the first time that official coverage had been provided outside of NFL Network).{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2019/story/_/id/25981446|title=ABC to air QB, WR drills from NFL draft combine|date=2019-02-12|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-29}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2019/02/28/nfl-media-returns-to-indy-for-scouting-combine-espn-abc-join-the-party/|title=NFL Media Returns to Indy for Scouting Combine as ESPN, ABC Join the Party|last=Dachman|first=Jason|website=Sports Video Group|date=February 28, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-04-29}}

Beginning in 2011, a series of eleven regional combines for players not invited to the main scouting combine, as well as other free agents, were held in eight cities (Los Angeles, Houston, Baltimore, Tampa, East Rutherford, Chicago, Atlanta, and Cleveland) from January to March. The best players from these regional combines were invited to the NFL super regional combine at Ford Field in Detroit in late March.{{cite news |author=Vensel, Matt |title=Regional combine provides another road to the NFL |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2012/02/11/regional-combine-provides-another-road-to-the-nfl/ |work=Baltimore Sun |date=February 11, 2012 |access-date=February 25, 2012}} In 2016, the NFL went away from this format only holding five Combines in Houston, Arizona, Baltimore, Minnesota and New Orleans.{{cite web|url=https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/2016-NFL-Regional-Combines-Schedule-Announced.aspx|title=2016 NFL Regional Combines Schedule Announced|website=nflcommunications.com}}

The first NFL Veteran Combine was scheduled on March 22, 2015, at the Arizona Cardinals' team facility. The combine corresponded with the NFL owners' meetings also being held in Phoenix from March 22–24, 2015. The combine featured veteran free agents, and all 32 clubs in attendance. There were over 2,000 applications from players to participate, although only a select few were chosen. Some of the notable players included Adam Carriker, Felix Jones, Michael Sam, and Brady Quinn.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24964215/nfl-adds-event-veteran-combine-for-free-agents-to-be-held-in-march |title=NFL adds event: Veteran combine for free agents to be held in March |publisher=cbssports.com |date=January 15, 2015 |access-date=January 16, 2015 |author=Breech, John |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116192146/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24964215/nfl-adds-event-veteran-combine-for-free-agents-to-be-held-in-march |archive-date=January 16, 2015 }} However, only two players participating in the combine (linebacker Brandon Copeland and tight end Ifeanyi Momah) were still on NFL rosters by Week 1 of the 2015 regular season.{{cite news|url=http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/nfl_cancels_veteran_combine_due_to_lack_of_interest/s1_13156_20593087|access-date=April 8, 2016|publisher=Yardbarker|title=NFL cancels veteran combine due to lack of interest|author=Alex Putterman}}

The NFL cancelled the planned 2016 Veteran Combine, citing a lack of player interest.{{cite news|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/03/31/nfl-shelves-the-veteran-combine/|title=NFL shelves the veteran combine|publisher=Pro Football Talk|author=Michael David Smith|access-date=April 8, 2016}} Later that year, the NFL announced it would rebrand it as the Pro Player Combine and focus its attention on younger players trying to get another chance in the NFL.{{cite web|title=NFL reboots veteran's combine as Pro Player Combine|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-reboots-veteran-s-combine-as-pro-player-combine-0ap3000000757664|website=NFL.com}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.nflcombine.net}}
• [http://www.nfl.com/combine/ Combine on NFL.com]

{{NFL}}

Category:NFL draft

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