Test battery – an example

60 yards sprint

Objective: To test the first 30 yards(27 metres) for explosive starting ability, the second 30 yards for speed maintenance and the full 60 yards(55 meters) for speed and speed endurance.

Procedure: Use timing pieces at 30 yards and 60 yards. After determining the starting stance(upright, four point), timing begins after the athlete’s first movement. Record two trials, with two watches per trial, to the nearest 100th of a second and average the times.

300-yard shuttle

Objective: To determine anaerobic endurance.

Procedure: Mark off 50 yards(46 meters) with testers at 0 yards and 50 yards. The first move starts the clock. The athlete runs 50 yards and touches the marked line with one foot, turns around, and runs back, completing three round trips. If the athlete fails to touch or pass a line, the time is disqualified. Record the time to the nearest 100th of a second.

Bench press

Objective: To determine upper-body strength(that is, the strength of chest, shoulders, triceps, and pressing stabilizers).

Procedure: With spotters on each side of the weightlifting bar, the athlete begins with the bar at arm’s length. The athlete lowers the bar and after touching(no bouncing) the chest, immediately lifts the bar to the starting position). Bouncing or heaving the bar from the chest, raising the buttocks from the bench, or failing to produce upward movement during the pressing phase disqualifies the test. Permit no more than three attempts at a given weight and allow attempts at no more than three weights.

Clean pull

Objective: To determine total body power.

Procedure: Begin by determining how high the bar must be lifted for a successful attempt(for example, two-thirds of the lifter’s height or the height of the shoulders). The lower the height selected, the less involved the total body is in performing the lift and the greater the injury risk is to the lower back because of the heavier weight. From the starting position the lifter begins the lift and finishes when the bar is back on the floor. Permit no more than three attempts at a given weight and allow attempts at no more than three weights.

No-step vertical jump(Astrand’s test)

Objective: To determine vertical power and indications of the power.

Procedure: Measure the athlete for reach with the athlete’s feet flat on the ground and one arm extended as far as possible. Mark at the highest point. Starting with the feet in the initial takeoff position, the athlete jumps as high as possible and touches at the apex of the jump. Record the difference between the reach and jump height of three trials to the nearest half inch and record the highest jump. Any movement of the feet before the jump disqualifies that jump.

Two methods are available to record the apex of the jump: a) chalk the athlete’s fingertips and have the athlete mark a wall or overhang with the reach and the jump, b) use a Vertec^TM, which has vanes with premeasured distances that the athlete can touch or knock away.

Squat or leg press

Objective: To determine lower-body strength(that is, the strength of thighs, lower back, and torso).

Procedure: With spotters on each side of the bar or press, the athlete lowers the weight to a predetermined knee-joint angle(90 degrees is commonly used but that angle can be modified for individual preference). The lift is complete when the athlete returns to the starting position. Improper form or incomplete knee-joint angle is cause for termination or disqualification of the lift. Permit no more than three attempts at a given weight and allow attempts at no more than three weights.

Standing long jump

Objective: To determine horizontal power and indications of overall power.

Procedure: Mark off a distance 6 to 10 feet(1.8 to 3 meters) by half-inch increments. (The distance will be determined by the age and strength of the athletes). The athlete jumps horizontally as far as possible. Measure three jumps to the nearest half inch from the back of the heel closest to the starting line. Record the longest jump. If any movement of the feet occurs before the jump of if the athlete falls backward after landing, the jump is disqualified.