4.4 40s

4.4 40s

Got an email from a coach who was concerned about the fact that his backfield being timed here in June at 4.8. He coaches at a small school, less than 100 kids a class.

A number of years ago, we did a formal study that came up with the results that for every 50 kids you have in a class, there’s on the average, one athlete of exceptional ability. Then you have to identify this athlete and get them out for the team and in the right position.

The odds of that happening at a school of less than 400 people is not the greatest.

Less than 1% of the athletes in America can run a 4.4 – 40. Here’s an interesting stat:
Darrell Green, who ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes ever at 4.09 seconds (unofficially timed and not verified)[1], had a collegiate best of 10.08 s in the 100 meters.[2] Justin Gatlin, who ran 9.85 s for a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic 100 meters, has a verified 40-yard dash best of 4.42 s.[3] This reflects the difference that timing methods can cause to a runner's time.

So . . . here is what I answered:

There is no measurement on ‘heart.’ I once had a receive who ran a 4.4 – in the 80s/very fast. He couldn’t catch a thing, whole year, one reception. But he had a great heart – took great pride in his blocking. We ran the ball far more than pass – he was valuable.

A better stat for me would be, how many yards after contact does the guy make? Does he finish off every run? Does he block for his teammate. Coached with a guy who never, NEVER, timed the kids. It was of no use. We were at a school smaller than yours. We had no one to replace them. They were it. If they played we had a chance – without them we would wait till next year. For some reason, one year we timed them. NO ONE ON THE TEAM RAN BETTER THAN 5.0 – NO ONE! Very depressing for the staff. But I knew that they had another gear available only when the lights went on. When they hit the field with their game uniforms on – they were unstoppable.

If we/you are running sweep, and everyone on the edge is blocked, how fast do you have to be to gain yards? I can show you how to get everyone blocked easily. You probably can as well. How many yards will be gained? Our Tailbacks (which were really T-halfbacks in disguise; a good tailback comes along once every 7 years or so) averaged 9+ yards a carry. Would that be enough? You can do it next fall.

Get those 4.8 guys to squat to parallel, full parallel all summer long. Power clean with good technique, all summer long. Teach them the 8 points of sprinting and drill, drill, drill all summer long on it. By SEPT they will be running 4.59 or better. Form and technique. Form, technique, and reps. All summer long.

4.4’s in high school are like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny: Everyone talks about them; nobody see them. If we could take our 5+ guys to state, so can you.

Keep on working. No substitute for hard work – Hard work makes dreams come true.

Be11!

RF