The 40-Yard Dash Debate
- Dajunonna Mikulin
- Sep 4, 2017
- 2 min read
Since the 40-yard dash was a thing, there has been debate on whether or not it is an acceptable way to determine speed, and if it even makes sense to keep it at the combine. In track and field we prefer the 60 meter dash, but all other sports have seemed to settle on the 40-yard dash. Many have tried to calculate numbers to determine what time the 40 would equate to in the 100m and even 20m dash. As the outdoor track season comes to an end, and football begins to start, I think this is the perfect topic of discussion.
Football 40
The NFL is a game based on speed so having the fastest players can create an advantage for the team that does so. During the combine, the overall time of each players 40-yard dash isn’t the only aspect being evaluated. The first 10 yards of the run, shows the type of explosiveness in a prospect’s first step (Bleacher Report). This is why the 40-yard dash is done for all those involved in the combine. An explosive first step is typically one of the keys to a lineman’s success (Bleacher Report). Other positions that the 40 is applicable to is cornerbacks, running backs and pass rushers. Even some within the world of football are not for this event, but it continues to hold its place in the combine.
Track and Field
During the debate in the past year, the track world has weighed in on this event giving us some funny memes, quoted twitter posts, and a mini war between football and track and field athletes.
According to some crazy calculations done by the awesome people at FloTrack, Cunliffe could run the 40 yard dash in about 4.34 seconds, which would put her among the top 40-yard dash times at the combine. All jokes aside, former Tennessee sprinter Christian Coleman silenced the debate by actually running the 40. You can find the video below.
This past NFL Combine, wide receiver John Ross was clocked in at 4.22 seconds. NCAA men's 60m/100m/200m champion Christian Coleman, took all the talks about "fast" as a challenge and set up a mock combine setting in UT's field house with a laser and automatic timing. With the NCAA champion clocking in at 4.12, there is not much else to say.
We all like a healthy debate, we like to tell why our sport is the greatest sport, so, what do you all think?! Share your opinions below, let's hear them!
References: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1606283-the-40-yard-dash-how-speed-became-nfls-measuring-tool
http://www.flotrack.org/article/55573-how-fast-could-hannah-cunliffe-run-the-40-yard-dash#.WZtPsGX8dSU
https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/05/01/christian-coleman-40-yard-dash-412-video-nfl-draft
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