Combine Tests

Standing Long Jump Test (Broad Jump)
Purpose: to measure the explosive power of the legs, which translates into the ability to rapidly change direction, potentially indicating speed and quickness

Procedure: The athlete stands behind a line marked on the ground with feet slightly apart. A two-foot take-off and landing is used, with swinging of the arms and bending of the knees to provide forward drive. The subject attempts to jump as far as possible, landing on both feet, without falling backwards. Three attempts are allowed.

40-Yard Dash
Purpose: to determine acceleration; also to indicate speed, agility and quickness on the field

Procedure: This test will be performed carrying a lacrosse stick. Starting from a standing split-stance, the front foot must be on or behind the starting line. (This starting position should be held for 3 seconds prior to starting. Athlete may lean across the starting line, but no rocking movements are allowed.) Once the foot is released from the starting pad, the timing will begin. Note: research shows that electronic timing—which we do—is about .2 seconds slower than stopwatch time, due to human error associated with the latter.

10-Yard Dash Split-Time
Purpose: The 10-yard split-time is measured as the first 10 yards of the 40-yard dash. It is a true measure of acceleration speed, and it is considered by many to be more important than the 40-yard dash itself.

Handgrip Strength Test
Purpose: to measure the maximum isometric strength of the hand and forearm muscles. Handgrip strength is important for catching, throwing and both giving and receiving stick checks. Also, as a general rule, people with strong hands tend to be strong elsewhere, so this test is often used as a general test of strength.

Procedure: The athlete squeezes the dynamometer in the dominant hand with maximal effort, with the arm extended straight out in front of the body.

5-10-5 Shuttle
Purpose: to gauge speed, explosiveness, body control and the ability to change direction (agility)

Procedure: This test will be performed carrying a stick and a ball. Three marker cones are placed along a line, five yards apart. The player straddles the middle line. Athlete puts foot on starting pad; when the foot releases the pad, the timer begins. Player turns and runs five yards to the right side and touches the line with his/her right foot. The athlete then turns 10 yards to the left and touches the other line with their left foot, then finally turns and finishes by running back through the start/finish line. The player is required to touch the line at each turn with his/her foot.

300-Yard Shuttle
Purpose: to test anaerobic endurance, or conditioning

Procedure: Marker cones and lines are placed 25 yards apart to indicate the sprint distance. Athlete starts with foot on one line. The time starts when the player releases the start pad with his/her foot. The player then runs to the opposite 25-yard line, touches it with their foot, turns and runs back to the start. This is repeated six times, up and back, without stopping, covering 300 yards total.

Shot Speed
Purpose: to test maximal shot speed, both right- and left-handed

Procedure: With a radar gun placed directly behind the net, an athlete takes a full time and room shot (boys from 10 yards out and girls from 5 meters out). The player should aim for the middle of the cage and will get three shots on each side.

Rotational Medicine Ball Throw
Purpose: to test rotary power, which is important in throwing and shooting

Procedure: The athlete will stand sideways with his/her front foot on a line. They will then throw the medicine ball (8 lbs for boys and 4 lbs for girls) in a rotational fashion for as much distance as possible. They will be given three tries per side, with only the one highest score counted.

Standing Triple Jump
Purpose: to test leg power, reactions, balance and coordination

Procedure: The athlete starts by standing with both feet on a line. He/She then performs three consecutive long jumps as quickly as possible for maximal distance.

Shooting Accuracy on the Run
Purpose: to show the player's ability to shoot the ball accurately, while on the run, while under a time constraint

Procedure: 10 lacrosse balls will be place on the ground in front of the middle of a goal (10 yards out for boys, 5 meters out for girls). The goal will have a target net over it. With 60 seconds on a clock, players will scoop a ball, run 5 yards to the right and shoot within a designated area, right-handed, aiming for the far post target openings. He/She will continue back through the middle, scoop another ball, move left, and do the same procedure, shooting with the left hand. This will alternate left and right until 10 balls are used within a 60-second time limit. Two attempts will be given, and the best score will be recorded for each side. Perfect scores are 5 per side.

Clearing Accuracy on the Run
Purpose: to show the player's ability to clear a ball accurately on the run, while under a time constraint

Procedure: 8 lacrosse balls will be placed on the ground, 30 yards out from the center of a large target net for boys, and 25 yards out from the center for girls. The target net will have a sock pocket in the center. With 60 seconds on a clock, the athlete will scoop a ball, run 5 yards to the right, and clear the ball within a designated area right-handed, aiming for the sock pocket of the target net. He/She will continue back through the middle, scoop another ball, moving left, and do the same procedure, clearing with the left hand. The athlete will alternate right and left, shooting all 8 balls within the 60-second time limit. Two points will be given for balls cleared into the sock pocket, and one point will be given for all clears hitting the large target net on a fly. Zero points will be given for complete misses or balls that bounce. Two attempts will be given, with the best score on each side recorded. Perfect scores are 8 per side.

Calculating Total Combine Scores

A Total Combine Score is derived from a set of ten subscores. Each subscore is attained from athlete's performance on ten athletic- and skill-specific tests. Within each test, a one-hundred-point scale was developed, utilizing athletic averages attained over time. Each category has a top range and bottom range, with middle scores distributed evenly across a scaling rubric. Based on performance, an athlete has the potential to gain a maximum of 100 points in each test category. Accordingly, the highest Total Combine Score possible is 1000 points. (All but two categories have an open top interval to point assignment. For example, the 40-yard dash top score is awarded to anyone completing the test in 4.49 seconds or less, whereas Shooting Accuracy and Clearing Accuracy have finite point assignments, where the top 100 point scores are awarded to athletes achieving 5/5 and 8/8, respectively.)