Quick Fixes & Makeovers – The NFL Draft Prep Con


I was channel surfing last evening and came upon a program called “Road to the Draft” on the NFL channel. The commentators were talking about and showing video clips of the Pro days (AKA- Meat Auction) at USC and University of Texas. They showed five players running the forty yard dash and two pulled hamstrings. What is wrong with this picture? How many of these guys went to draft preparation gurus for a quick fix? You have to wonder. How many were doing the Ham/Glute raise in their training? How much did any of them work on top end speed where you are most likely to pull a hamstring? The USC players were terrible on the vaunted Three Cone “agility” test. What does that mean? It was interesting looking at the muscular development of these guys. Hamstring “posterior chain” obviously had been emphasized. Big bulky shortened hamstrings, when what you want is long & lean, like Usain Bolt. Remember hamstring function and architecture. One of the commentators talked about the ability to bend the knees and play low. Why not have them do Jim Radcliffe’s Oregon Sway drill and do the ankle range test from Kelvin Giles PCA book, in about two minutes you will have many answers about where and why they bend the way they do. I know this sounds like I have all the answers, no way, seeing exhibitions like this lead me to question conventional wisdom more each day. One thing I do know is that is the sheep walking mentality where they all follow the flock and keep perpetuating myths about performance is alive and well.

Vern Gambetta

Vern Gambetta

Director at Gambetta Sports Training Systems
Vern Gambetta


Vern Gambetta

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