Thanks for the link…I’ll check it out!
You stated that you use a electronic timer for timing yourself sometimes, what brand is it and where did u purchase it from? Thanks
I go my timer a number of years ago. It is called the Speed Step by a company called Blue Streak. As near as I could tell, it was just a guy in his garage building these systems. I did a quick web search and can’t find them anymore other than this 800 number (which may not even work): 800-239-1172.
Essentially, it has three components: The start transmitter which consists of a contact pad that you place your hand on to arm the timer. As soon as the pressure releases from the pad, the timer starts. The other two components are the photo-sensors that stop the timers when you cross them. I have two photo-sensors, so I can set them up to give me interval times. This is very useful for flying 20’s.
You can also set up the starter to give you “ready-set-go” beeps and it will start the time as soon as the go beep occurs. In this case, you get a false start signal if you hand lifts before the third beep. I think it cost about $800 when I bought it.
Now it seems like the only thing available is called the “Speed Trap” which looks essentially the same. There are two versions. The Speed Trap I which only works out to 50m because it uses a wire to connect the start pad with the timer. The Speed Trap II is a wireless system and can go out beyond 200m (or so they claim). The Speed Step system (the one I own) is also wireless.
Here’s a link to the Speed Trap II: http://www.power-systems.com/closeup.asp?cid=128&pid=1354&offset=0
Note that this may be the only useful speed training device on that entire web site 
I have found the system quite useful because it gets rid of any concern about timing inaccuracies and allows me to gauge my workouts even if I don’t have a training partner or coach available to time me (which is most of the time!)
xlr8 have u gotton ne calls yet?
Nope, nothing. I talked to one of the scouts and apparently, the problem is that I didn’t play ball when I was in college. Even though I achieved numbers that put me in the Pro level, (he said) scouts are reluctant to take a chance on someone without college experience. I guess I should have spent less time earning a degree and more time on sports
Maybe I need to go back to grad school!
Damn that sux… Is this for Arena ball?
Well at least you know that it’s not that you don’t have the skills.
xlr8,
great thread! glad it was revived!
how did you get this tryout? what was the criteria?
you said you didn’t play in college. im under the impression that 99% of those who get combine tryouts played in college. why were you different?
This was a regional combine, not the one for college guys held in Indy.
Check out: http://www.combines.com/home.asp
xlr8, thanks
xlr8
This was a good thread. I thought I would give it a bump and see if you might post what you learned throughout the process, i.e. what mistakes you made, how you would correct them, how you would manage track volume, and how it differs from your current training, etc.
Thanks…and good question.
The biggest thing that I struggled with was managing the volume and intensity of the track work. I’m still not sure how to best solve this one, short of getting a coach like Charlie to help me!
Speaking of coaches, I think that I also could have used a good track coach to work with me on my technique. I got by on sheer power and quickness, but I think I left a couple of tenths on the table through technical mistakes in my start and late acceleration.
Finally, the last thing that I really dropped the ball on was my bench press test. In retrospect, I needed to do a lot more volume and higher reps to build the capacity to handle getting 15+ reps.
As far as how this differs from my current training…remember, this was training specifically for the combine events. Those events are different than training to be a better football player. When training for football, you need to spend a lot more time with the specific skills you will be using for your position. Training will also vary depending on whether is is in-season, pre-season or off season.
Hope this helps!
How are you managing track work at this time? What changes have you made that seem to be beneficial?
Thanks
Well, like I said above, I still don’t think that I have solved the volume/intensity puzzle for the track work. I find that my capacity and performance seem to vary from session to session and week to week based on my biorhythms rather than any type of meticulous plan.
I have however been trying to focus on two things: one - relaxation and the ability to run at 98% effort instead of 100%. I still find this very difficult. Two- longer distances. I’m good at short sprints < 60m, so I like to do those, but I think that too much focus on short distances limits top speed and grooving the mechanics. So, even though I hate it, I’m trying to do more longer training runs (up to 200m) and move into Speed Endurance earlier in my cycle.