Clocking combine times
With so much emphasis on times in various combine events in the football world, fractions of a second are often a determining factor. In the world of the NFL Draft, times are taken in events such as the 40-yard dash, short shuttle and three-cone drill in order to better evaluate players.
The days of someone simply holding a stopwatch and pressing a button are quickly being replaced.
Laser times in combine events now get a more accurate reading and there is a growing company which specializes in that exact science.
NFL hopefuls at CES prepare to use the Get-N-10s testing system
Get-N-10s is a company based out of Strongsville, Ohio specializing in recording times through a unique method.
“It’s the most accurate timing device out there now,” said Steve Caruso, founder of Get-N-10s. “It’s accurate to one millisecond. It’s fully administered by the athlete.”
What Caruso is referring to is the fact that the timing starts when a player lifts his hand off a small start pad on the ground. From that instant, recording begins as the player runs through a specific combine event.
“We use a start pad, so when your hand comes off it, that’s the start time,” Caruso said. “When someone is timing with a stopwatch, there is a delay with the human reaction. We take that human element of error out of it.”
Players are also given a small bracelet which contains a computer chip that automatically records the data into a computer. In just a few seconds, that data is available on-line.
“I can have a coach at Florida, Michigan and USC see the times coming in instantaneously on their computer,” Caruso explained. “If they are looking for a linebacker or a defensive tackle, they can look specifically at them and see the times coming in.”
Caruso and company have partnered up with CES Sports in Atlanta, using their system to test athletes training for the NFL Scouting Combine and their respective Pro Days .
“Our system doesn’t lie,” Caruso stated. “The times are accurate, so you get an accurate reading when they come in. Then, three to four weeks later, we test them again and gauge the improvements.”
As these combine times become more and more important, more of the football world is starting to upgrade their methods of recording times which is turning out to be favorable for Caruso.
“We have great partnerships in line, we’re working with colleges, we’ve done some things with NFL teams and we’re just looking to grow the company.”
To find out more about Get-N-10s, visit www.GetN10s.com.
