Here’s a nice and recent video of the US Men’s National Team testing. Previously, I posted a video with testing of the US Women’s National Team.?The men use a similar battery of tests to what I typically use:

1. 30m with splits at 5, 10 and 30m
2. Vertical Jump w/o countermovement
3. Vertical Jump w/ countermovement
4. Vertical Jump from box
5. 5-10-5
6. VO² Max treadmill test

For high level players I like to use:

1. 30m with splits at 10m, 20m and 30m
2. Single Leg Vertical Jump
3. Vertical Jump w/ countermovement
4. Vertical Jump w/ approach
5. Repeat Sprint Index test (basically 6 x 30m sprints with 30 sec rest)
6. Agility Test (I have my own that incorporates different elements of movement and is not so laterally dominant)
7. YoYo IR2

I haven’t found the 10m split (or anything shorter for that matter) to be of too much value due to variances in timing that I feel exceed the variances in performance. In other words, it’s impossible to make an accurate assessment of performance. I do use the 5-10-5 that the USMNT uses in the video but mainly just with?lower level players and / or large group testing where I want things to be as simple as possible. And I prefer YoYo IR2 over?VO² Max treadmill tests not only for logistical reasons (it’s easier to test groups and doesn’t require significant equipment or lab know-how) but also it’s more performance based. That is, it’s possibly for someone with a lesser?VO² Max?to outperform someone on an actual field test like Bleep or the YoYo tests as well as on the field since?VO² Max?is just one factor that contributes to endurance performance….and ultimately, I care less about the physiology than about the output.

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Mike Young

Director of Performance at Athletic Lab

Mike is the Head Fitness Coach for the North Carolina Courage and North Carolina FC. He is also the owner and Director of Performance at Athletic Lab sports performance training center. He previously served as the fitness coach for the Vancouver Whitecaps and Carolina Railhawks. He has a PhD in Biomechanics, an MS in Coaching Science, and a BSS in Exercise Physiology and has coached Olympic and professional athletes in Skeleton, Track & Field, MLS and NASL Soccer, PGA Golf, NFL Football, MLB Baseball and Olympic Weightlifting. He has lectured around the world and authored 2 books and dozens of research and coaching articles.

Latest posts by Mike Young (see all)

• Brilliant Hamstring Injury Observations from Dave Joyce - September 26, 2018
• Sprint exposure for speed enhancement AND injury reduction - April 4, 2018
• Variance in the Soccer Warmup - April 3, 2018