How the score is calculated

This simulator uses a normalized scoring approach based on typical performance ranges seen in football testing environments. Each metric is scaled from 0–100 using:

• Faster sprint times → higher score
• Higher jump height → higher score
• Faster shuttle times → higher score

The final score is a weighted combination:

• Speed (40-yard dash): 45%
• Explosion (vertical jump): 30%
• Change of direction (shuttle): 25%

These weights reflect the relative importance of acceleration and speed in many football positions, while still accounting for power and agility.

How to interpret your results

Speed score (40-yard dash)

What it represents:

• Acceleration mechanics
• Force production in early sprint phases
• Neuromuscular coordination at high velocity

Scientific context:

• Sprint speed is strongly influenced by horizontal force production and rate of force development (Morin et al., 2011).
• Faster sprint times are associated with improved mechanical efficiency and force application.

Explosion score (vertical jump)

What it represents:

• Lower-body power
• Elastic energy utilization
• Rate of force development

Scientific context:

• Vertical jump performance correlates with peak power output and neuromuscular efficiency (Cormie et al., 2011).
• It is widely used as a proxy for explosive athletic ability in team sports.

Change of direction score (pro shuttle)

What it represents:

• Braking strength
• Re-acceleration ability
• Movement efficiency under directional change

Scientific context:

• Change of direction performance depends heavily on eccentric strength and braking force capacity (Dos’Santos et al., 2018).
• Athletes must rapidly decelerate and reapply force in new directions, which differs from linear sprinting demands.

Why these three tests matter together

No single test captures football performance.

• The 40-yard dash emphasizes linear speed
• The vertical jump emphasizes power and explosiveness
• The shuttle emphasizes deceleration and re-acceleration

Research shows that multidimensional testing better reflects sport performance than isolated metrics (Sheppard & Young, 2006).

Combining these metrics into a single profile helps identify imbalances that may limit on-field performance.

Understanding your “primary limiter”

The tool identifies your lowest domain score and labels it as your current limiter.

This reflects a key training principle:

• Performance is often constrained by the weakest link in the system

Examples:

• Strong vertical + slow 40 → speed limiter
• Fast 40 + poor shuttle → braking/agility limiter
• Good speed + low vertical → power limiter

Important limitations

This score is a simplified model and does not replicate official combine grading systems.

• It does not account for:
  • Position-specific demands
  • Body mass
  • Technique quality
  • Game intelligence or skill

Use it as a training feedback tool, not a prediction of recruitment outcomes.

Practical training takeaway

• If speed is lowest → prioritize sprint mechanics and max velocity exposure
• If power is lowest → prioritize jumping, strength, and elastic work
• If agility is lowest → prioritize deceleration, cutting, and re-acceleration

Improving the lowest-quality output often produces the largest overall performance gains.

References (scientific support)

• Morin, J. B., et al. (2011). Mechanical determinants of sprint acceleration performance.
• Cormie, P., McGuigan, M. R., & Newton, R. U. (2011). Developing maximal neuromuscular power.
• Dos’Santos, T., et al. (2018). Biomechanical determinants of change of direction performance.
• Sheppard, J. M., & Young, W. B. (2006). Agility literature review: classifications, training, and testing.

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