1. SPARQ Program Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness Weight program(s), drills, exercises, routines that are used to improve the SPARQ level of each player

2. SPARQ What is SPARQ? –Nike SPARQ is the name used under a marketing relationship between Nike and SPARQ, under which Nike sells a line of cross training footwear, apparel and equipment in the USA –SPARQ was started in 2004 to create a standardized test for athleticism called the SPARQ Rating and to sell training equipment and methods to help improve athleticism focused on the high school athlete (an "SAT" for athletes) –'SPARQ' is an acronym, standing for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness Using the term ‘SPARQ’ is not meant to be the Nike SPARQ program or testing or combines –However it is very useful as a model for improving the physicality of the football players –The goal is that that each workout is directly contributing to one or more aspects of the SPARQ model will ensure that we provide our athletes with the best opportunity to improve their athletic ability

3. SPARQ GENERAL ATHLETIC ASSESSMENT TEST SPARQ was started in 2004 to create a standardized test for athleticism called the SPARQ Rating and to sell training equipment and methods to help improve athleticism focused on the high school athlete.

4. About SPARQ – Nike SPARQ's business is focused on the rating system and selling advanced functional fitness training equipment. The company does not own any training facilities or have any one specific training method. They provide training videos and tips from a number of top speed, strength and conditioning coaches on their website. SPARQ developed a training network made up of over 750 SPARQ Certified Trainers located throughout the country who are both independent coaches and trainers at chain performance centers. Some of the more well-known independent facilities include Top Speed Strength & Conditioning in Kansas City, the Michael Johnson Performance Center in Dallas and Athletic Evolution in Massachusetts. National training companies include CATZ (the Competitive Athlete Training Zone) and Velocity Sports Performance. SPARQ has formed a broad, non-exclusive partnership with Velocity Sports Performance to provide certified SPARQ Testing at all of their centers.

5. SPARQ Test The SPARQ general athletic assessment test is composed of: –20 Meter Sprint/40 Yard Dash (Speed) –Kneeling Power Ball Toss (Power) –Agility Shuttle (Agility) –Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test or YIRT (Reaction, Quickness, and Endurance) –Vertical Jump (Power)

6. 40 yard dash The 40 yard dash is the simplest activity; an athlete runs 40 yards down a track, and the time is recorded by a trainer or other method. This time is taken and put into "SPARQ Points", which are added to determine the athlete's overall rating.

7. Kneeling Power Ball Toss In the Kneeling Power Ball Toss, an athlete must kneel with both knees on a flat surface while raising a 2 or 3 kilogram medicine / power ball over their head. They must proceed to thrust outward, landing in a push-up position. The distance in inches is then turned into SPARQ Points to be added to the final score.

8. Agility Shuttle The Agility Shuttle is a shuttle run in which an athlete must run 5 yards, touch an object or mark, proceed to run 10 yards in the opposite direction and touch a second object or mark. Finally, they must switch direction and run another 5 yards to the starting point. Their time is measured in seconds and transferred into SPARQ Points.

9. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test is a test measuring an athlete's aerobic power and execution upon the changing of direction. A recording is played, giving instruction, and the athlete(s) must proceed to run 20 meters at the sound of a beep. At the sound of the second beep the athlete must run back to the starting line, after which the third beep sounds a 10- second recovery period the athlete jogs or walks in a 5 meter zone before resuming position back to the starting line, for the next beep. The time in between each beep (bar the constant 10 second recovery) decreases gradually. If the athlete does not reach the start line in time, a warning is given, and the test is completed when two warnings are given. The total time taken until the two warnings are given, i.e. the test is completed, is what is measured.

10. Vertical jump During the Vertical Jump, an athlete must stand on a pad with some sort of compatible height measurer attached. The athlete goes into a balanced crouch with their arms behind them to help propel them, then they swiftly jump out into the air, out of their crouch, and the pad measures their height in inches based on the amount of time in the air, between the two points of contact. This then becomes SPARQ points to be added to the score.

11. IMPLEMENTATION How to incorporate the SPARQ concept into the program operations

12. SPARQ and the Football Program Speed Power Agility Reaction Quickness

13. Speed Activity Data Collection How do I measure it? Speed is the measure of the linear velocity of the player over a specified distance. Most often we will measure the player in the 10-, 20-, and 40-yard sprints, using manual timing with stopwatches. Normally the player will run a single 40-yard sprint. Coaches will record the times for the 10-, 20-, and 40-yard times. Assessment How do I evaluate it? Assessing a speed measurement by itself does not mean anything, a time of 4.5 has no frame of reference. It is only by comparing each individual to all other individuals on the team, and to other testing sources such as Nike, can the ‘fastest’ be identified. All timing results will be recorded and posted for the players and coaches to review. Planning How do I develop a plan? The first step is to collect the baseline times for each player. Then evaluate the times to determine what aspect of the players velocity profile needs the most work (get-off, acceleration, top-in, endurance). Plans are developed for each profile area and the needs of each player are addressed. Performance How do I execute the plan? Training in running form, acceleration, arm movement, head placement, etc., are necessary for all players. Then add in the profile area(s) that need improvement and a custom plan can be developed. Discuss the plan with the player and then set the schedule of what needs to be done, when feedback will be taken, and what the goals are. Evaluation Am I meeting the plan? Periodic testing of the linear velocity will be conducted and the results compared to the baseline. Variations will be identified and recorded. Revise Program/Plan How do I revise it? After each testing cycle

14. Recording 10-, 20-, and 40-times gives excellent visibility into the velocity profile –By comparing times a picture of the areas for possible improvement become visible. T-Acc = T20 – T10 –In this case we are looking for the time to run the 2 nd 10 yards and compare that to the 1 st 10 yards. –If T-Acc > T10 (1.5::1.3) then the player needs to improve on acceleration. The player ran the 1 st 10 yards faster than the 2 nd 10-yards, meaning their get-off was good, but then they lost acceleration. –If T-Acc < T10 (1.3::1.1) then the player needs to improve on get-off. The player ran the 2 nd 10 yards faster than the 1 st 10 yards so their acceleration is higher than their get-off so they may be slow getting out of their stance, but they accelerated to top speed quickly. T-End = T40 – T20 –In this case we are looking for a measure of the endurance of the player –If T-End > T20 (2.6::2.3) then the player needs to work on his endurance. He slowed down in the 2 nd 20 yards, most likely because his body was running out of energy –If T-End < T20 (2.3::2.6) then the player needs to work on reaching top-in speed quickly (get-off and acceleration) He ran the 2 nd 20 yards faster than the first 20, meaning he reached top speed late in the sprint, likely after 20 yards.

15. Power Activity Data Collection How do I measure it? Power is the measure of the ability of the player to lift maximum weight in the base lifts – the Squat, Bench Press, and Clean. The max weight is recorded after observing the player complete the lift successfully. Assessment How do I evaluate it? Primary assessment is by comparing max weights recorded at specific intervals and then determining the absolute and % change between the periods. The objective is to lift as much as possible using the standard lifts Planning How do I develop a plan? Record the physical characteristics of the player, including their max weights. This sets their baseline measure. Then estimate the appropriate increase in weights for a given time period based on age and body type. Identify a progression of weights and track the actual weights against that progression. Performance How do I execute the plan? Training in the proper motions for lifting the weights is required for all players. Once the plans/goals for player are established he will be given the opportunity to participate in scheduled weight lifting sessions. These sessions will be designed to provide the player with sufficient exercises and challenges to increase his weights to match the plans. Generally the players will lift 3-4 times per week, from January to June, and then periodically during the summer and season. Evaluation Am I meeting the plan? Testing and recording of the max weights will be performed at regular intervals during the lifting period, usually every 2 months. Assessment of the player actual vs. plan will be made at each testing cycle. Revise Program/Plan How do I revise it? After each evaluation the coach will assess if the player is tracking to the plan and adjust the plan for the next cycle accordingly.

16. Agility Activity Data Collection How do I measure it? Agility is the measure of the non-linear velocity of the player over a specified distance and pattern. This is normally measured using the Lateral Agility drill and the Pro-Corner agility drill. Coaches will record the time for these drills. Assessment How do I evaluate it? The player is attempting to achieve the minimum time he can attain in each of these drills. The time is recorded, usually the player is given up to 3 attempts for each testing period, each time is recorded, and the minimum time is marked/highlighted. This time is then used as the official time for that testing period. The specific details of each drill are best seen in their detail pages. Planning How do I develop a plan? Performance How do I execute the plan? Training in the objectives of the drills, the forms, the change of directions, all are required for the player to achieve the minimum times. Familiarity (learning curve) gained by running the drills on multiple occasions will also help lower the times. The times are recorded at testing events and compared to past attempts and to the plan. Drills and exercises will be used to improve the physical abilities of the player. Evaluation Am I meeting the plan? Revise Program/Plan How do I revise it?

17. Reaction Activity Data Collection How do I measure it? Assessment How do I evaluate it? Planning How do I develop a plan? Performance How do I execute the plan? Evaluation Am I meeting the plan? Revise Program/Plan How do I revise it?

18. Quickness Activity Data Collection How do I measure it? Assessment How do I evaluate it? Planning How do I develop a plan? Performance How do I execute the plan? Evaluation Am I meeting the plan? Revise Program/Plan How do I revise it?

19. It is time for you to leave. Thus spake the master Coach:

20. PARKING LOT Just a place to keep slides that may be good to have around, but that aren’t in the main body.