We were required to have a ‘conditioning’ test in 07 or 08 after one of the breaks and, if I remember correctly, this is what Buddy and I came up with:
Take their 40yd time, divide by .75 (ergo their tempo 40) and have them run it X amount of times with 45 sec rest between each run. I think the small skill guys ran 16-18, big skill 14-16, and linemen 12-14.
Buddy and I basically wanted to have a compromise between what the football coaches would recognize (ergo running) yet something that was consistent with what they actually do in training (ergo tempo) that ultimately showed they maintained their general aerobic capacity; or ‘shape’ for the layman.
If I were to construct one that were to correspond to competition biodynamic/bioenergetic structure then it would be an alactic capacity test that was more 70/30 or 80/20 special strength/short speed oriented for down line, 50/50 special strength/short speed for big skill, and predominantly short speed with possible change of direction for small skill. Done in this way, contrary to the abortions that currently constitute ‘conditioning tests’, one would actually have an accurate idea as to the player’s readiness for training camp.