I was just curious how important is a good shuttle drill (the test for lateral movement) to skill players versus linemen and linebackers. I always felt the ability to perform the shuttle drill well was more important to linemen and linebackers than to skill players. Am I wrong?
From what I understand the shuttle drill is more significant than the 40 yard dash and other similar drills. I remember reading an article from a NFL scout discussing the drills and he said this was the most important and I believe he said for all positions.
I agree. The 40 yard dash might be the most over-rated metric. Lateral quickness is a much more telling sign of athleticism in a sport that doesn't really require anyone to run 40 yards straight ahead, unencumbered.
3 cone time is important for WRs and CBs. Shuttle is important for everyone. 40 time is only one component, they look at the 10, 20, and 40 yard splits to see what kind of acceleration and top speed a player has. Most people only pay attention to the 40 time, but the 10 and 20 time is just as important. Some players start fast and plateau (Pierre Thomas, Wes Welker), some players start slower and pick up speed (Devery Henderson is a good example), and then you have the rare guys who have the acceleration and top speed, like a Reggie Bush, Chris Johnson, Trindon Holliday etc. Each kind of athlete has his own use.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that this is probably the first 'Shuttle Drill' thread in the history of TF.
