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Best Practices for Performance Testing


The most important part of testing is consistency. This will increase reliability of the tests and avoid false or misleading data. The tests themselves are meant to require very little skill, the only thing you need to do as a coach is ensure each test is repeated the same time after time. The following checklist will help you and your assistant coaches feel confident each time you capture numbers

 

  1. HONESTY. ALWAYS give honest numbers. If you give a half inch, where will it stop?? Never pad numbers this is the worst mistake I know happens and it's detrimental to the athlete long term. Brutal honesty, that's the best way to find improvement

 

  1. Use the same timing systems. I like to try to record BOTH hand times and electronic times each test, however if I only use electronic times, I try to repeat the same thing each time after. Hand times are going to be about .08 - .16 seconds faster than electronic times using a laser start. 

 

  1. Try your best to have each athlete run through each test in the same order. The order is in an ascending neurologically demanding order, the sprint being the most demanding. If an athlete sprints last, then next time first, the other tests may be affected. Large groups do have barriers which would require alternate strategies.

 

  1. For all tests, make sure you use the same surface. Jumping/ running on a track vs turf will yield very different results. You may choose different surfaces for different tests, just be sure the next tests match the surface of the previous test.

 

  1. Each test has 2 attempts. Record the average of both attempts AND the best attempt. This will add more data but also help account for outliers especially if you are using hand times. Human error can vary test to test. The average will help monitor progress overtime with more accuracy.

 

  1. Vertical jump: If you are using a vertec, be sure to measure reach each time you test using the same method. There are many methods for measuring reach, some methods are faster for large groups but less accurate but accuracy is not as important as CONSISTENCY. With consistency you can measure PROGRESS accurately which I argue is most important.

 

  1. Train your coaches and even athletes to use a stop watch. Hand times can vary person to person, but if each person is using the stop watch the same way we can have more confidence in reliability. On this same topic, have 2 coaches if possible take hand times at the same time. Averaging the 2 together is a great way to record the most accurate reading.

 

  1. My personal preference, plan performance testing 4 times a year. Each time a week after a deload or time where the athletes have been less active. This ensures they are not testing in a fatigued state from training or from games/practice. You can also test within training MANY MANY times throughout the year which is another great way to monitor trends. The more data points the better.

 

There are MANY performance tests that can be used to gauge and track progress for athletic development. One of the main goals I have is simplifying and choosing 5 key performance indicators (KPIs) that relate to all sports the most. Here are my 5 performance tests to use:

 

1. Vertical Jump

2. Broad Jump

3. Broad Hops

4. 5-0-5 change of direction test

5. Linear speed profile

 

I have a performance testing guide that will take you through a deep dive of each test including HOW the test correlates to athletic performance, equipment needed, how to set up for the test, how to execute the test, and you will have recording sheets you can print off to collect data. Click below to buy, it's only $5.99





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