FOOTBALL TEMPO RUNS
 
Conditioning
A. Goal:
 
   1. Emphasize smooth running form
   2. Develop Work Capacity: Conditioning for the 10 play drive and the 4th quarter
   3. Recovery ie: post-game
   4. Weight Control

B. Warm-up:
 
   1. if Tempo Runs follow Football Game Specific Training the warm-up will not be necessary
   2. Easy jog 400-1200 as needed and by position
   3. Dynamic Flexibility – shoulder circles, leg swings, ankle rotations etc.
   4. High Knee, High Knee Skip, Heel Kick etc. drills – 3-6 of each x 10-30 yds
   5. Easy strides building in intensity 3-6 x 30-60 yds.

C. Pace:

  • 65-75% of your speed over a timed distance. Calculation of 70%: Take your time for a distance divided by .70 
  • Example: If you run a 300 yd shuttle in 60 sec. your 70% pace is 60 ÷ .70 = 85 sec.  

D. Rest Intervals:

  • Rest Intervals can vary from 10 sec. between short reps up to 3 minutes between sets. If you are running faster than your 75% pace then shorten your rest interval. If you are running slower than a 65% pace because of fatigue than take a longer rest.
  • Rest Interval Activity between sets: walking, sit-ups, push-ups, medicine ball drills with light ball approx. 10 reps, football specific drills such as throwing and catching. Big Men may want to just walk.

E. Distance:

  • Total Distance run will depend on:
    (a) Football Game Specific Conditioning (Metabolic Training) done before Tempo Runs. For example: Receivers that have run routes for 30 minutes may need 600 yds of Tempo Work. If they have run for 60 minutes they may not run any Tempo on that day. You have to learn to listen to your body to know what is needed.
    (b) the time of year. Refer to the Periodization/Plan section.
  • Do straight ahead runs. Tempo Work is not the time to work agility. 
  • First choice is to run on grass provided it is well maintained.
  • O-Line and Big DT’s predominantly run distances of 30-50 yds with total distance per workout = approx. 750-1000 yds. For the sample runs below rest approx. 10-20 sec. b/n reps; 2-3 min b/n sets

Tempo Run 1: Total Distance = 520 yds

Tempo Run 3: Total Distance = 600 yds

2 sets of 4 x 50 yds. = 400 yds.
1 set of 4 x 30 yds. = 120 yds.

3 sets of 4 x 50 yds. = 600 yds.

Tempo Run 2: Total Distance = 880 yds

Tempo Run 4: Total Distance = 960 yds

1 set of 8 x 40 yds. = 320 yds.
1 set of 6 x 40 yds. = 240 yds.
2 sets of 4 x 40 yds. = 320 yds.

2 sets of 4 x 50 yds. = 400 yds.
2 sets of 4 x 40 yds. = 320 yds.
2 sets of 4 x 30 yds. = 240 yds.

  • Other positions predominantly run distances of 40-100 yds with Total Distance per workout = 1000-1800 yds. If you are an experienced track athlete that runs 150’s and 200’s for your Tempo Session you can do your normal program. For the sample runs below rest approx. 30-60 sec. between runs 2-4 min between sets 

Tempo Run 1: Total Distance = 1000 yds.

Tempo Run 3: Total Distance = 1200 yds.

1 set of 4 x 80 yds. = 320 yds.
1 set of 6 x 60 yds. = 360 yds.
1 set of 8 x 40 yds. = 320 yds.

4 sets of 5 x 60 yds. = 1200 yds

Tempo Run 2: Total Distance = 1400 yds.

Tempo Run 4: Total Distance = 1760 yds.

1 set of 5 x 100 yds. = 500 yds.
1 set of 4 x 100 yds. = 400 yds.
1 set of 3 x 100 yds. = 300 yds.
1 set of 2 x 100 yds. = 200 yds.

1 set of 4 x 100 yds. = 400 yds.
1 set of 6 x 80 yds. = 480 yds.
1 set of 8 x 60 yds. = 480 yds.
1 set of 10 x 40 yds. = 400 yds.

  • You can design your own Tempo day. Remember to apply the training principles for doing Tempo outlined above.

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