Two Foot Yard

For many high school players and college football, running faster than 40 meters, the scoreboard is all that stands between them and going to the next step. Whatever the strength to take a player on the field, a slow time during the 40 is sure to scare off scouts and recruiters. Here are two easy corrections you can make to your technique to get the maximum power of your body and run your best dash 40 yards.

First, improve your position at the line. Many football players give their starting position and continue to make technical errors that impede their 40 times. After all, you will not be able to get off the line quickly if your initial positioning is all wrong.

Before doing anything else, you must determine which foot should go forward. The best way to do this is to stand with both feet together and have a teammate push you lightly in the back. Whichever foot you move first should be the back leg of your starting position.

Place your right front foot behind the starting line to get your center of gravity (usually around the navel area for most players) as close as possible to the finish. Taller players may need to leave a few inches between the foot and the line at ease.

Bend your back leg so the knee is close to the ground, almost touching the starting line. Place your hand on the side of your back leg on the ground and hold your other hand near the hip in a "ready" position.

The hips should be slightly above shoulder height, although it will probably be uncomfortable. Many players start with their feet too far because it feels better, but it limits your explosiveness of the line. The ideal starting position should feel cramped, as if their body is recoiling before exploding at the kickoff.

Now that you have the proper positions on the line, it is time to work on the first step. A good first step is essential for a quick dash 40 times the court. Correction of the starting position usually also improves the first step because you're near the starting line. You want your first step to cover as much distance as possible without sacrificing the body proper angles.

An easy way to practice the correct stride length is broadband a circle where you want your foot on the first step. Measure the length of your femur (big bone in the thigh) and use that length as a starting point for where you will place your tape circle. Practice off the line a few times and adjust the location of the circle until you find the best spot.

If your approach is too short, your back foot is probably too far in your starting position. Do not go too far either or you will not be able to drive with your legs and produce energy. Ideally, you want your leg to be striking the ground at an angle of 45 degrees, not straight up and down. Hitting the ground with the leg perpendicular to waste most of your explosive force pushing you up into the air instead of forward towards the finish line.

If you can, have a friend or a co-worker some of your practice operates. It is easy to verify the details of your technique when you can slow things down or rewind the tape. It must not be a high quality recording to that effect. A mobile phone capable of capturing a few seconds of the video should be all you need.

Practice these first two parts of the dash 40 meters and you'll improve your time without additional training or running exercises. Of course, you should still run and lift weights to get your best time, but these quick adjustments will give you a good start to run faster dash 40 yards.