Charge Time Comparison Between Three and Four-Point Stance Among Division II Defensive Linemen

Defensive linemen need speed and power to dominate the line of scrimmage. All other factors held equal, a defensive lineman that crosses the line of scrimmage with greater speed will be more successful.

Defensive linemen utilize two different sprint stances: a three, and a four-point stance. The debate on which stance is faster is extensive. A comparison of charge time (CT) between the three and four-point stances will be performed in order to determine which stance is faster. Since speed and power are also vital for success among defensive linemen, a relationship between charge time, power clean maximum, squat maximum and 40 yard sprint will be performed.

Participants in this study will be 25 defensive linemen from the 2003 Humboldt State University football team. Charge time will be measured by the Solo Time 450A electronic timing system. This device utilizes a pressure-sensitive pad that starts the timing unit. An infrared sensor and the timing unit create a laser beam, that when broken, stops the timing device. On the first week of the season two electronic timing systems will be set up at each end of the field. Defensive linemen will be randomly selected to form two groups. Each group will be given instructions on performing a trial.

Each participant will perform two practice trials to familiarize himself with the timing system. After all participants perform two practice trials each participant will perform three timed trials to be recorded. Participants will perform one trial at a time in order to provide resting periods of three minutes between trials. One group will be tested utilizing the four-point stance, and the other group will be tested utilizing the three-point stance at the second station. At the end of the process, all of the participants will have performed three timed trials for each stance.

Cuauhtémoc Carboni
Graduate Student
Humboldt State University