Why coaches are looking for accountability as camp opens. Matt Bowen
There’s been a lot of talk this week about the conditioning tests conducted around the league on the first day of camp. And, when a big name player happens to fail one of these running tests, it becomes news. I will be the first to admit that these "tests" have nothing to do with a player's ability from a football standpoint. But, coaches aren't looking for that on these days.
On most teams, they are a requirement. Fail the test and you sit. Just like we saw from Baltimore rookie Terrence Cody, RB Joe McKnight of the Jets and the Redskins’ Albert Haynesworth (under odd circumstances). Do it again until you can find a way to pass the test and get on the practice field. They are timed, and as a player, you know they are coming.
ICONHaynesworth failed Mike Shanahan's test in Washington--twice.
They haven’t changed much. When I played it was a 300-yard shuttle. In different combinations (some require six 50-yard sprints and others require twelve 25-yard sprints), they add up to 300 total yards. Think of old-school gassers. Run, touch the line, and come back — over and over until you have run a total of 300 yards. Rest in between sets and get back on the line. The times are broken down into three position groups: skill (WR, DB, RB), semi-skill (LB, TE, QB) and linemen (OL, DL). Each group has a time they have to complete each set in.
In Green Bay under Mike Sherman, you ran three of them — with about a two minute rest in between. They are nasty. For the skill guys, the time limit was under 48 seconds. We ran the 300-yard shuttle — made up of six 50-yard sprints — took that small rest and got ready to do it again. By the end, your legs feel like Jell-O.
Not every team does it. In Buffalo with Dick Jauron, if you went through the offseason program, you didn't have to run a test. This was the case with Haynesworth in Washington. Didn't show this spring and had to prove to head coach Mike Shanahan that he was in football shape. And, according to reports this morning, the DT has failed the test for the second straight day. Not good.
If you play defense for Gregg Williams, his test is on the day of the first practice — in pads. Forty up-downs in full gear right after the team stretch (which are filmed and watched in meetings). Not fun in the Virginia heat and I can’t even imagine what it is like to do 40-up downs in pads down in New Orleans right now. And, don’t forget that you have a full two-hour practice to get through after you pass his test. By the time you get to 7-on-7 drills, your body is spent.
But, the real point here is that you know they are coming. Therefore, there is no excuse to fail one of these tests. It is more about accountability than anything else. If you have been in the offseason program and used the month of July to stay in top shape and take care of your body, you should have no problem finishing this test. Take care of it, and show the coaching staff that you are ready to practice. It is part of your job as a player in the NFL.
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Aaron Wilson reports that the Ravens test consists of 6 150-yd sprints in 25-yd increments. 25 up and back, 25 up and back, 25 up and back, 70 seconds rest...repeat 5 additional times. For linemen each 150-yd set had to be completed in 35 seconds. That's a total of 900 yards in 9min 20sec.
Haynesworth is an example of what it wrong with pro players who get paid. Out of shape and running on a treadmill instead of working in Haslett's new system on the practice field.
"Timely" article, Matt.
Quick question: What happens in this saga once the number of failed conditioning test dates reaches double digits? Does Albert eventually go on the PUP list? How much is his conditioning realistically going to improve by riding a stationary bicycle on the sidelines? Meanwhile, Albert continues to miss valuable reps as he tries to learn the terminology of a position that he has never played before in a defense in which he has no previous experience. I wonder how long until this ploy backfires and blows up in Shanahan's face?
@Tom in SF-
It is a great question. During my career I never saw a player fail a conditioning test more than two times.... they usually find a way to get it done on the third try. I would guess that Shanahan would have to at least entertain the idea of putting Haynesworth on the Active/ PUP list if he goes down for a third straight time.
As for it coming back to hurt the Skins, I don't see the coaching staff looking at it that way. He is still in meetings with the defense, so he should be watching film, seeing the corrections made on the field and learning everything that he missed this offseason by staying at home.
....I will be the first to admit that these "tests" have nothing to do with a player's ability from a football standpoint. But, coaches aren't looking for that on these days....
and THAT in a nutshell is why the players need to be trained throughout their off-season for tests that reflect their needs as a football player and the players come in expecting to be tested for their ability from a "Football Standpoint". Why are coaches looking for anything other than what can be translated directly too the players' ability on the field? Strength and Conditioning Coaches should be in charge of the conditioning; football coaches should be in charge of football. Period. I'm baffled by the fact the coaches aren't looking for testing that would reflect the players ability from a football standpoint and wasting precious training on bogus tests, just to make their point they "are in charge". Why do they spend so much time testing specific abilities at the NFL Combines, then come up with these bogus 300 yard ladder "sprints", and other 'gut check' garbage that the older players don't buy off on? "We're gonna show you who's boss" is a bit childish, from both sides of the coin. Make it a part of their contract that they participate in the off-season program or they have just lost their contract. Seems simple enough and the fans will get to watch well conditioned athletes, conditioned for their specific needs, instead of some over weight out of shape mound. Stop playing the games on both side of the coin and lets get down to the business of playing quality football!
are you kidding me? your legs were jello after 6x50 yard sprints??? unless you were CARRYING a DL, that's pretty sad for a professional athlete who's sport involves running.
try 12x400 yard sprints all under 65 seconds!!!! We could do that as freshman in high school.
@Christopher Rotelli-
I believe you are reading this wrong Christopher.
It isn't 6x50 yards in sprints. It is a continuous drill. Run 50 yards, plant, and come back 50, plant, and go another 50 and so on until you reach 300 total yards.
That is one set.
Rest for 2 minutes... do the drill again .
Rest another 2 minutes... do the drill again.
It isn't the distance that gets you so much as the continuous stopping and starting after each 50- yard interval.
Would have loved to run just flat out sprints, though.
Thanks for the comments.
Rotelli, you are full of crap if you expect me to believe that you could run 12 400's all in under 65 seconds. Especially as a freshmen in HS. And I don't care how much time you have to rest.
Matt,
Do you think that the head stomper really wants to practice or is just tryin to get out of it all together!
Swanny,
If you're in good enough shape for the season, the conditioning test isn't a problem. It serves as a motivator for those who otherwise might not come back in shape as you know it's the first thing you're going to have to do. In addition, the test's usually aren't much different than regular conditioning work. These exercises don't appear to be football specific, but they are in that they require commitment and perseverance. Also, I don't think the CBA allows for mandatory off-season programs to be included in the contracts. Limited to so many of each type.
Haynesworth is a one hundred million dollar tidy bowl flush!
Hey Matt-What were the times for the non-skill positions? I want to try it this weekend.
I played HS football in Texas, so I may not have upper level experience as several other posters, but I had elite level coaching and such for that level of play.
We had spring football practice instead of starting before school started due to the extreme heat of Texas summers, so staying in condition during the summer months was always an obsticle.
I am not sure if it exists in the NFL as someone above suggested, but coaches were not allowed to supervise offseason conditioning, but there are ways around it and I am suprised the NFL doesnt do similar things.
An independent strength and condition company would come in during the summer and provide summer strength and conditioning courses for all student athletes and a specific class for football players. These classes were held on school campus using our facilities and often the these coaches were a combination of personal trainers and former players. They were "optional" but if you wished to play in the fall you attended.
The morning before the first day of school we had to show up to pass our conditioning test. Much like the ones shown that the pro's do. We had to do 3 gassers, one gasser was 3 50 yard down and backs (total 300 yards), with a 60 second rest in between each gasser
We were broken into groups based on postion. Skill players (qb,wr, db) had to have an average time of 30 seconds per gasser, semi skilled (LB, TE, RBs) had to finish with an average time of 35 seconds (usually the running backs coach made the RBs run with the first group) and then lineman (OL, DL) had to finish with an average time of 40 seconds.
If you didn't pass your gassers you would have to take them again at the END of afternoon practice... This was after 2 hr morning practice, 1 hr special teams practice or position practice during the school day and then 2hr after school practice.
It was usually only the lineman that failed and usually after a week of failing, the coaches would allow them to stop.
Everyone knew it was coming and any starter was already prepared for them. They were very tough and I couldnt image being a Ravens lineman having to run 6 of them under 35 seconds! That is tough, although I was never a big fan of running lol, I played middle linebacker on a 4-3 defense so I played run defense and covered the middle of the field or man on the TE, our outside LBs were more secondary then they were run defense...
I played HS football in Texas, so I may not have upper level experience as several other posters, but I had elite level coaching and such for that level of play.
We had spring football practice instead of starting before school started due to the extreme heat of Texas summers, so staying in condition during the summer months was always an obsticle.
I am not sure if it exists in the NFL as someone above suggested, but coaches were not allowed to supervise offseason conditioning, but there are ways around it and I am suprised the NFL doesnt do similar things.
An independent strength and condition company would come in during the summer and provide summer strength and conditioning courses for all student athletes and a specific class for football players. These classes were held on school campus using our facilities and often the these coaches were a combination of personal trainers and former players. They were "optional" but if you wished to play in the fall you attended.
The morning before the first day of school we had to show up to pass our conditioning test. Much like the ones shown that the pro's do. We had to do 3 gassers, one gasser was 3 50 yard down and backs (total 300 yards), with a 60 second rest in between each gasser
We were broken into groups based on postion. Skill players (qb,wr, db) had to have an average time of 30 seconds per gasser, semi skilled (LB, TE, RBs) had to finish with an average time of 35 seconds (usually the running backs coach made the RBs run with the first group) and then lineman (OL, DL) had to finish with an average time of 40 seconds.
If you didn't pass your gassers you would have to take them again at the END of afternoon practice... This was after 2 hr morning practice, 1 hr special teams practice or position practice during the school day and then 2hr after school practice.
It was usually only the lineman that failed and usually after a week of failing, the coaches would allow them to stop.
Everyone knew it was coming and any starter was already prepared for them. They were very tough and I couldnt image being a Ravens lineman having to run 6 of them under 35 seconds! That is tough, although I was never a big fan of running lol, I played middle linebacker on a 4-3 defense so I played run defense and covered the middle of the field or man on the TE, our outside LBs were more secondary then they were run defense...
I played HS football in Texas, so I may not have upper level experience as several other posters, but I had elite level coaching and such for that level of play.
We had spring football practice instead of starting before school started due to the extreme heat of Texas summers, so staying in condition during the summer months was always an obsticle.
I am not sure if it exists in the NFL as someone above suggested, but coaches were not allowed to supervise offseason conditioning, but there are ways around it and I am suprised the NFL doesnt do similar things.
An independent strength and condition company would come in during the summer and provide summer strength and conditioning courses for all student athletes and a specific class for football players. These classes were held on school campus using our facilities and often the these coaches were a combination of personal trainers and former players. They were "optional" but if you wished to play in the fall you attended.
The morning before the first day of school we had to show up to pass our conditioning test. Much like the ones shown that the pro's do. We had to do 3 gassers, one gasser was 3 50 yard down and backs (total 300 yards), with a 60 second rest in between each gasser
We were broken into groups based on postion. Skill players (qb,wr, db) had to have an average time of 30 seconds per gasser, semi skilled (LB, TE, RBs) had to finish with an average time of 35 seconds (usually the running backs coach made the RBs run with the first group) and then lineman (OL, DL) had to finish with an average time of 40 seconds.
If you didn't pass your gassers you would have to take them again at the END of afternoon practice... This was after 2 hr morning practice, 1 hr special teams practice or position practice during the school day and then 2hr after school practice.
It was usually only the lineman that failed and usually after a week of failing, the coaches would allow them to stop.
Everyone knew it was coming and any starter was already prepared for them. They were very tough and I couldnt image being a Ravens lineman having to run 6 of them under 35 seconds! That is tough, although I was never a big fan of running lol, I played middle linebacker on a 4-3 defense so I played run defense and covered the middle of the field or man on the TE, our outside LBs were more secondary then they were run defense...
@Jasont Mulvey
Not sure about this part - "Skill players (qb, wr, db) had to have an average time of 30 seconds per gasser" with each gasser being 300 yards
The world record at 200m is 19.19 sec in a straight line.
Do you mean to say high school kids (even wr's or db's) could run 300 yards (274m) in 30 sec while reversing direction every 50 yards - 6-50yd dashes in 5 sec each?
I'm guessing you're mis-remembering time or distance because I don't find that believable.
@Jasont Mulvey
Not sure about this part - "Skill players (qb, wr, db) had to have an average time of 30 seconds per gasser" with each gasser being 300 yards
The world record at 200m is 19.19 sec in a straight line.
Do you mean to say high school kids (even wr's or db's) could run 300 yards (274m) in 30 sec while reversing direction every 50 yards - 6-50yd dashes in 5 sec each?
I'm guessing you're mis-remembering time or distance because I don't find that believable.
Matt,
Maybe it's different for each team, but I thought the opening camp conditioning test was part of each player's physical to clear them for duty?
@ Doubtful
That's a fairly standard high school track workout. I don't discount that it would be a pretty tough workout for a freshman unless he's supremely talented, but a training session such as 12 x 400m (each rep in 65 sec) with a 400m jog recovery (or even 200m) between each rep is something any decent high school distance runner is capable of.
Matt, I like the Gregg Williams approach because everyone was doing it. Singling out one player to subject to humiliation because he can't pass a test seems like a very dubious way to lead a team. Particularly when that player is arguably the best DL in the league.
At some point Shanahan is going to have to back down. There is no way they put AH on the PUP list. For one thing, the union would challenge it and they would lose, and look like even bigger morons, if that is possible. How does it impress the other players or help the team when camp becomes a drama between a self-absorbed player and little Napoleon., and liitle Nappy will inevitably have to give in at some point?
Any player should be able to pass those tests.
The Redskins test for Haynesworth was 300 yrds in 25 yard intervals. Goaline to the 25 back to Goaline, etc. The first was 70 secs with a 3 and a half min rest, the next one is 73 secs. B/C Haynesworth passed the first 2, he was required to go again. If he'd passed the third he probably would have gotten a 4th. Irrelevant test for linemen.
Mulvey,
It's pretty clear that you played high school football in Texas. You hit enter three times.
Besides, Texas high school football is a professional sport. Texas high school football players get yanked out of first grade, spend 12 years in two-a-days, and then get handed a diploma and a rusted out pickup truck.
Mark,
The football cheerleaders in Texas get drafted into the military but thetr dads arrange for them to satisfy their obligation in the Air National Guard. The rich sob doesn't even have to show up for drills or classes......then he gets a sweetheart deal in college........and then ends up starting a war as president of the US ....then spends a month on vacation while the Middle East boils. That's Texas for ya !
@db
I'm sure what he is saying is that each 50 yds had to be run in 30 sec. Remember player spint a 40 in 5 sec
Nice article Matt, it really gave a great description of what these test are made up of for those who aren't in the know. I think many fans have no idea of the speed and power that is found on the fields of the NFL. Your description of these test brings us a little taste of what kind of shape these atheletes need to be in just to compete in a practice!
I am starting to believe that Big Albert outsmarted everyone this time, including that genius and master motivator Shanahan. Why bother engaging in an expensive training camp holdout when you can come to camp, fail the conditioning tests in seven minutes or less per day, get "injured" while failing the said conditioning test, and spend the next couple of days/weeks recuperating the "swollen" knee. Well-played, Haynesworth, well-played! Your move, Shanny.
Matt,
I can run 400 meters in 51 seconds, so running 300 yards in 48 is a CAKE WALK. I can run repeat 400 meters with 2 minute breaks at 55 seconds. I am a skinny white boy too so hearing that running backs have a problem with this isn't true at all.
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Jul 30, 2010
09:01 AM
Very good read here Matt.
How about Joe McKnight? I can see the big boys failing the test, but a RB? Have fun going 8-8 this year Rex Ryan. Your backfield is a joke without T Jones and Leon.
Bye bye Jets.