Toby Vallas- Total Athlete Test

I am fascinated with the program that Toby Vallas has going at Farmington. Obviously he has developed a strong football program, but together with the other coaches, they have built a model athletic program centered around their strength and speed programs. I saw on Twitter that they had just completed their "Total Athlete Tests." I could not help myself, I reached out to Coach Vallas to find out what this was. The following is what Coach sent to me:

A former assistant of mine ( the late Steve Disler) got this from another program at a clinic but I do not remember who had shared this test.  The coach who shared this deserves the credit for it, maybe they will read this and let us know.  

In the Total Athlete Test, the athletes are measured in six "events."

1- Bench press

2- Squats

3- Cleans (We use 3 rep maxes just for safety)

4- Pro Agility Shuttle

5- 300 Shuttle

6- Freelap 40 (We use 1 meter roll, mainly for efficiency to get all the athletes through)

Each performance gets a set number of points like a decathlon which makes all six "events' close to equal value.  Someone worked really hard on the formula.  

I know people will say "why the 300 shuttle and not standing broad jump etc..."  The main reason is I'm not smart enough to figure out how to value each event.  Our kids love it as a climax to the season.  

For football, we like it because as we look for guys to fill a hole and get a shot at playing time we start at the top of the Total Athlete Test list.  A lot of times we have found someone that maybe our own bias has stopped us from noticing but is really deserving of an opportunity.  

It's not perfect but our kids really think its fun, it's become a tradition, and it provides recognition to kids that have worked hard to change their bodies. 

Thanks to Coach for sharing this program. Some thoughts and reactions I have to the Total Athlete Test-

RECOGNTION- A key phrase from Toby,"It provides recognition to kids that have worked hard to change their bodies." It allows the athlete, their teammates, and the coaches to all recognize and celebrate the committed athletes in their program. 

MOTIVATION- Lifting is a grind. Lifting is not like hitting a game winner in basketball, or HR in the bottom of the 9th, or scoring a TD- with all of those things people recognize it and celebrate it that night. With lifting, you do the work day after day but your rewards don't come until later. I have to believe there are athletes wanting to be at the top of the ranking.

ACCOUNTABILITY- Not to be Mr.Negative, but.... Some athletes (and certainly their parents) are sure they are being committed and working hard. Maybe they lifted hard for 3 weeks but then had other things to do for a couple weeks. Or they lifted hard two days a week but had to work other days. This test has to hold all the athletes accountable. I have to believe the test is not just measuring strength and quickness gains- but it is also measuring work ethic and commitment.    

TRADITION- Coach Vallas mentions this test is a “tradition” within their athletic department. I would go a step further- it is obvious that coaches working together with one weight program to build strength throughout the athletic department that is the “tradition” at Farmington. The Total Athlete Test is just one part of the entire “tradition.” Great athletes focus on the PROCESS- that is what they are doing at Farmington.