The NFL Combine has become an entity of its own. A sporting spectacle that features world class athletes on the pressure packed stage of Lucas Oil Stadium. The athletes that are chosen to participate embark on a whirlwind tour of events that culminates in the most important interview of their lifetimes.
The amount of training and preparation that goes into this event for each athlete is mind numbing. Recently, I had a chance to sit down with the CEO of TEST Football Academy, Brian Martin to discuss the preparation of their athletes.
TEST Football Academy has recently partnered with the Parisi Speed School to train football players at all levels. The primary focus of TEST is training collegiate athletes that are about to embark on professional playing careers. TEST has worked with some of the biggest names in the NFL, including Patrick Peterson, Joe Flacco, Ryan Clady, and James Laurinaitis. With multiple locations in metro New York City and South Florida they help prepare NFL veterans and future draft picks prepare for the grueling life that is known as the NFL.
“It’s important to look at these athletes from a scout’s eye. We’re not training for a track meet.” Martin’s intensity about training becomes crystal clear at this point as the intensity is felt in his voice. It becomes apparent that this 19-year vet takes pride in producing world class athletes. In doing so, they have brought in this impressive list of former players.
TEST’s training staff is a who’s who of former athletes that includes Chad Pennington, Sam Madison, and Olympic sprinter Ato Boldon. What became clear in my discussion with Brian was the value placed on the athlete and the importance of providing cutting edge training for his roster of players.
“We look to bring in coaches that have actual playing experience at the highest levels of their sports. Guys like Chad Pennington and Sam Madison that have been through the fires and can relate to the process these athletes undergo.”
Martin’s investment in his athletes becomes evident when he starts discussing his roster of players taking part in NFL Draft preparation this season. Martin can tell you the ins and outs of each player and proves that TEST approaches the process from a scout’s eye. Spotting talent isn’t the talent in scouting. It’s about the preparation to know every intricate detail of one’s life. An investment of what could be millions of dollars is about to be made and missing on it could be a monumental financial loss. TEST will prepare athletes for every aspect of the process to ensure that there won’t be any pitfalls.
I came away from our roughly thirty minute conversation impressed with the dedication of this group and the measures they take to ensure that TEST athletes are optimizing their performance and peaking at the right time. For TEST athletes is not about being good combine performers but having sustainable gains that they can carry through their pro careers.
Here’s a link to the TEST Football Academy site to check out more on all the programs they offer.
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