Written by Andrew Maclennan
www.getfastandstrong.com/

The 5 talent identification areas that are important for a sprinter are:

1. Acceleration Potential
2. Maximum Velocity Capabilities
3. Anthropometry
4. Psychological Performance
5. Strength/Power Levels
 

A. Timed 30 metres run with split times at 10 metres and 20 metres.
Athlete starts 30 cm back from first timing light and runs as fast as possible through the set of lights. Testing to be done on an athletics track, in running shoes, not spikes, with 3 trials available to record the fastest possible time. Recovery between each trial will be a minimum of 3 minutes. 
B. Vertical Jump
Stand and reach test, with chalk on hands. Athlete is allowed counter movement downward with legs as well as arm swing but must start from a stationary position (no walk in). 3 trials are allowed with a minimum of 60 seconds recovery.
C. 5 Bunny (2 footed) Jumps
Athlete undertakes test on athletics track. Stationary start with toes on a line. 5 continuous jumps are attempted. Distance obtained is where the heel of the fifth landing occurs. 3 trials are allowed with a minimum of 2 minutes recovery.

A. Flying 30 metre time from a 30 metre run in.
Test to be undertaken on athletics track (not grass). Athlete runs for 30metres to build up speed, then tries to run through the 30 metre zone as fast as possible. 3 trials are given to record the fastest possible time. Recovery between trials of 3 minutes minimum.
B. Drop Jump
Athlete stands on a 30 cm high box. They drop off the box, not jump off, and
then when they land on the ground they try and jump as high as possible. 3 trials are given with the highest height the athlete achieves being recorded.
Test to be done in athletic shoes.

A. Calf Circumference/Height
Athlete’s calf circumference is measured on both legs, with the widest point being recorded, as well as their height, without shoes.
B. Ankle Circumference/Height
Athlete’s ankle circumference is measured on both legs, with the widest point being recorded, as well as their height, without shoes. For convenience, the ankle will be taken to be directly at the top of the where the athlete’s shoes sit on their foot.

A test to establish how the athlete reacts to stress, pressure, how inwardly
strong they are etc.

A. Seated 2kg throw
Athlete sits on floor, with back against a wall and chest passes the medicine ball as far as possible. No rocking backward or forward. 3 trials are given with the best distance recorded.
B. Forward Shot Throw
Athlete takes a 4kg shot and throws it forward as far as possible. Athlete swings shot between legs and is allowed forward movement as they let the shot go. 3 trials are given with the furthest distance recorded. Distance measured from the front of the athletes foot to the point where the shot breaks the ground closest to the athlete.

Justification for each test:

A. Timed 30 metres run with split times at 10 metres and 20 metres.
To see how good a sprinter an athlete might be they need to be tested sprinting! To be able to perform at the highest level the athlete needs to accelerate quickly so this is a very specific and suitable test. Intermediate times are taken for extra information to see if the athlete accelerates very quickly and then slows down or if they can keep on accelerating.
B. Vertical Jump
Vertical jump requires high degrees of force put into the floor with great speed, and this is what is required to be able to accelerate the body quickly when sprinting. It is well accepted that those athletes who can achieve good scores on vertical jump performance will be able to accelerate well too. Similar muscle groups are also used in this test (compared with the muscle groups used in acceleration), namely the quads and glutes, so this is further support of this test.
C. 5 Bunny (2 footed) Jumps
As the previous test was vertical in nature, another test can be performed that is horizontal. Sprinting does require strength in both planes (vertical and horizontal) so this test is useful. This test also requires some hip extension which is very important in sprinting.

A. Flying 30 metre time from a 30 metre run in.
Athletes who have the highest velocity are often the most successful,
therefore a test to find if an athlete can reach high velocities is very important.
The 30 metre flying test is a standard test to measure an athletes maximum
velocity and ability to hold it.
B. Drop Jump
The drop jump test is used to test the athlete’s ability to hit the ground and
absorb force then produce force very quickly, as is needed when the athlete is
sprinting. If the athlete cannot produce force quickly then they will have a long
ground contact time and probably not be a very successful sprinter.

A. Calf Circumference/Height          B. Ankle Circumference/Height

Athletes who have a large mass in the lower leg will be negatively effected by
this, in that it will reduce their ability to reach higher velocities, as the larger
mass below the knee reduces the velocity that the lower leg can swing about
the knee which in turn decreases the velocity the sprinter can reach (as the
velocity is a product of stride length and stride frequency).

The athlete needs to be able to deal with pressure in the environment of
sprinting and not choke. They also need to have the resilience to be able to
train hard for long periods of time and not give up. It is very important, in my
opinion, for an athlete to be mentally tough if they are going to be successful
in the long term.

A. Seated 2kg throw            B. Forward Shot Throw

A standard test of upper body strength and perhaps a good indicator of fibre
type. If the athlete can throw the ball quickly, it will probably go a long way and it may also indicate that they may have a dominance of fast twitch fibres which are very desirable for sprinting.