See the issue: April 2006

The first five (1 step, ½ hop)

If you’re moving to the right, place your left hand on the midline. Rip the right arm back to open the hips and pivot with your right foot. Crossover with your left foot, take a half step with your right foot, then take a small hop and touch the line with your right hand.

The middle 10 (4 steps)

Take four steps followed with a hop to cover the 10 yards. Touch the line with your left hand.

The last five (2 steps)

Take two steps to cover the final five yards. Make sure to run through the line.

The hop

The hop allows you to turn your hips around so you’re ready to head back the other way. After the hop, your feet should face the way you came, so you’re in your 40-yard dash stance.

If your feet are parallel to the line, facing straight ahead, you’re going to waste two steps turning around—your first step will be used to move forward and your second step will be lateral to get going the other way. This approach, the hop and hip turn, helps you cover five yards by your second step. Shorten the drill even more by staying inside the line on the touches.

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