One of the most important workouts of the NFL Combine is the broad jump, which most participants will take part in this year. At a glance, the broad jump is simply a test of how far a player can jump from a standing position. Of course, jumping really far from a standstill isn’t necessarily a required motion during an NFL game. The drill measures more than that.
NFL combine drills explained: Broad jump
Like the vertical jump, the broad jump is most useful for pass rushers at the line of scrimmage.
The broad jump is primarily used to measure a player’s short-area quickness and burst. Players jump from a standing position, and they must land balanced. Players cannot move forward or backward after landing. It’s a measure of lower-body balance and strength. Like the vertical jump, the broad jump is important for defensive linemen and pass rushers, for example -- players who work primarily in tight areas. Their strength and speed off the line, coupled with the balance after landing, are key factors to success.
That doesn't mean that the broad jump can't indicate incredible athletic ability at other positions, however. The best ever have played elsewhere on the field. Linebacker Jamie Collins went 11 feet, 7 inches in 2013 to set the combine record. Wide receiver Julio Jones nearly matched Collins when he went 11 feet, 3 inches in 2011.
The broad jump joins the vertical jump, 40-yard dash, shuttle run and 3-cone drill as the most useful tests of athleticism at the combine. Some players choose not to do some of drills, but you’ll find that most just do them all. The broad jump in particular can be entertaining, especially when it involves someone very big falling in comedic fashion.
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