Vertical Jump vs Broad Jump

Off Topic
1

I was watching the 2012 NFL combine a few weeks ago. I’m sure you’re familiar with RGIII and Andrew Luck. Luck broad jumped 10’4" and ran a 4.78 40 yd dash. RGIII broad jumped 10’1" and ran a 4.41 40 yd dash. RGIII had a significantly higher vertical than Luck. I think it was somewhere around 38in, but can’t say for sure. Why does the vertical jump have a higher positive correlation with speed in the 40 than broad jump?

The broad jump requires a lot of forward lean in the beginning of the movement. The 40 yd dash also requires a lot of forward lean in its first phase.

According to Christian Thibaudeau 30% of the power in a vertical jump comes from the quads and 40% comes from the hips, glutes, and hamstrings Leap Tall Buildings (and Build Traps of Steel). Why is a movement that isn’t too quad dominant such an indicator of short distance sprinting ability and a movement that is quite quad dominant less of an indicator?

2

You’re thinking too much in regard to torso position relative to the ground. Look at the joint angles. The joint angles at the start of a 40 look similar to the joint angles you would see in the start of a vert … at least that’s how I see it in my head. You might want to sample more than two athletes though.

3

I don’t understand what broad jump tests that vertical fails to if scouts are looking for lower body power. What’s the point to broad jumping if it doesn’t mean you can run fast? What does it mean if you can broad jump a decent distance, but couldn’t run really fast if your life depended on it?

4

[quote]darkhorse1-1 wrote:
I don’t understand what broad jump tests that vertical fails to if scouts are looking for lower body power. What’s the point to broad jumping if it doesn’t mean you can run fast? What does it mean if you can broad jump a decent distance, but couldn’t run really fast if your life depended on it?[/quote]

Are their bench presses on the 50 yard line? No, that’s because the combine is notorious for doing stupid stuff that doesn’t make sense.

However, broad jump tests more than vertical. Balance, body knowledge, momentum control,