UKSCA case study for a University American Football player. Passed.

1. Introduction
UKSCA Case Study
Name: Eilidh MacLeod
Work: Napier Knights American Football
Team

2. Athletic Profile
• Position: Wide Receiver
• Sport Analysis: In relation to American Football, Wide Receiver's
are commonly referred to as the ‘passing and catching’
professional. This position requires repetitive short bouts of
sprinting as well as throwing and receiving the ball, these players
are positioned in the offence side (Stracuzzi et al., 2011).
• Age: 22
• Injury History: Re-occurring shoulder issue, no other previous
injuries.
• Long-term goal: To improve maximal strength in the upper and
lower body.
• Started playing American Football at age of 17 years old.
Competing at university level for 3 years.
• Athlete partook in one weekly unstructured strength and
conditioning session followed by a skilled based team training
session with the head coach once a week prior to the program.

3. Needs Analysis
The figure above is based on agreement with the head coach.
Movement Patterns
•American football is an on-field multidimensional sport which requires movement efficiency through all three cardinal
planes of motion.
•Change in direction and speed is a common demand required for wide receivers (Vitale et al, 2016).
•Jumping and landing movements are also required, therefore power is a fitness requirement (Riley et al., 2013).
•Strength, power and speed are key requirements in American football. (Kraemer, 2000).
Physiological Requirements
•Phosphagen and anaerobic glycolytic energy systems required due to repeated high intensity short bouts of exercise
(Hoffman, 2008)
Injury Analysis
•Lower extremity injuries account for 50% of all injuries and upper extremity injuries account for 30%. Accordingly,
sprains and strains account for 40% of injuries and 31.8% of historical injuries reoccur (Williams et al., 2017).
Fitness Requirement High Moderate Low
Maximal Strength 
Power 
Transitional and initial
acceleration

Maximal Speed 
Change in Direction 
Mobility 
Flexibility 
Anaerobic capacity 

4. Objective & Subjective Assessments Undertaken
Testing protocols used based on research gathered and agreement with the head coach.
Other Information
•40-yard dash/20 yard split was recorded on video to assess sprinting technique.
•Power Clean 1RM was disqualified based on the grounds that athlete was inexperienced.
•Anaerobic capacity was not assessed in pre-testing due to limited contact time and equipment access.
Test Rationale
Sit and Reach Test To assess hamstring flexibility
(Mayorga-Vega et al., 2014).
5-10-5 drill To assess change of direction
(Stewart et al., 2012).
40 Yard dash/ 20-yard split To assess maximal speed,
transitional and initial
acceleration (Mcbride et al.,
2009).
Bench Press 1RM and Back squat
3RM
To assess maximal strength in
upper and lower body (Shimano
et al., 2006).
Static Vertical Jump and
Countermovement Jump
To assess lower body power
(Carlock et al., 2004).
Functional Movement
Screen (FMS)
Balance
Error
Scoring
System
(BESS)
To assess squat motion,
proprioception/body control and
shoulder stability/mobility (Smith
et al, 2013).

5. Pre-Testing Results and Analysis
Based on the data gathered and athletes goals the following areas were highlighted:
•Maximal strength in lower body and upper body Speed: Running technique, starting acceleration and maximal speed (Rate of
Force Development)
•Reactive agility and change of direction
•Proprioception, flexibility and coordination
Estimated Back Squat 1RM calculation using the Brzycki formula: 116kg (Brzycki, 1998)

6. Outline of Annual Plan
MONTH APRIL
WEEKENDS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Game Hull Sharks Sutherland Spartans Northumbria Mustangs RegionalCup: Quarters NorthernSemi Cup EdinburghPredators BUCS FINAL Old Boys
Location
Sighthill
Sighthill
Newcastle
MeggetlandStadium
Sighthill
Flexibility, Mobility
Strength,power
Speed, Agility, Plyometrics
Conditioning
PRESENT PHASE Technique Compentencies
SCHEDULED PHASE Pre-Competitive
Micro-cycles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
VOLUME M M L M M M M M M M M M M M M M L
INTENSITY M M H M M M M M M M H M H H M M L
TESTINGDATES x x
SPP TRANSITIONAL COMEPTITIVE
COMPETITION DATES
PERIODIZATION
GPP TRANSITIONAL SPP
DATES
DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
Method Used: Undulating
On completion of the GPP, the SPP would develop skills in different training
modalities as other elements were maintained.

7. Sample of Micro-cycle Off-season (GPP)
GPP Progression Model
• LE – Lower extremity
• UP – Upper extremity

8. Sample Session Off-Season
Session 1:
Session 2:
Session 3:

9. Sample Micro-cycle In-Season (SPP)
SPP Progression Model
• LE – Lower extremity
• UP - Upper extremity

10. Sample Session In-Season
Session 1:
Session 2:
Session 3:

11. Objective & Subjective Re-Test Results and Interpretation
Estimated Calculation using the Brzycki formula: 136kg (Brzycki, 1998).
Findings
•17.2 % increase in Back squat 1RM, 11.4% increase in vertical jump, 6.7% increase in 5-10-5 drill, 100%
improvement in BESS.
•Green – Improved, Red – minimal change, Yellow – improved slightly
Feedback
•Video feedback, re-testing, verbal instruction, monitoring loads.

12. Pre-testing Post-testing
Speed Technique Video Analysis Comparison
Analysis:
•Trunk comes up, goes into vertical position too
early
•Rear leg not fully extended at start
•Minimal Drive/force through foot - less
acceleration
•Slow reaction at start
Analysis
•Trunk remains in forward lean during
drive
•Increase forward lean – increase initial
acceleration
•Drive hasn’t progressed significantly

13. Evaluation of Programme
The athletes maximal strength, power, proprioception and change of direction improved. It has been
noted that the athlete’s shoulder stability improved, shoulder issue is currently recovering.
Positive Outcomes
•Athlete’s maximal upper and lower strength improved
•Jumping and landing progressed.
•Qualified to play for local club.
Weaknesses of Program
•Flexibility did not improve and should have been developed more.
•Maximal speed did not improve significantly.
•Did not include enough anaerobic capacity training in the SPP.
Future Development
•More skilled based drills focusing on speed training and sprint development
•Strength based exercises for upper body
•More frequent mobility and flexibility sessions.
•Anaerobic capacity training

14. References
• Fry, A. C., & Kraemer, W. J. (1991). Physical Performance Characteristics of American Collegiate
Football Players. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 5(3), 126. doi:10.1519/1533-
4287(1991)005<0126:ppcoac>2.3.co;2
• Hoffman, J. R. (2008). The Applied Physiology of American Football. International Journal of Sports
Physiology and Performance, 3(3), 387-392. doi:10.1123/ijspp.3.3.387
• Kraemer, W.J., and L.A. Gotshalk (2000). Physiology of American football. In Exercise and Sport
Science. Garrett, W.E., and D.T. Kirkendall (eds). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins: Philadelphia, PA.
pp. 795-813.
• Laffaye, G., Wagner, P. P., & Tombleson, T. I. (2014). Countermovement Jump Height. Journal of
Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(4), 1096-1105. doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182a1db03
• Pincivero, D. M., & Bompa, T. O. (1997). A Physiological Review of American Football. Sports
Medicine, 23(4), 247-260. doi:10.2165/00007256-199723040-00004
• Riley, P. O., Kent, R. W., Dierks, T. A., Lievers, W. B., Frimenko, R. E., & Crandall, J. R. (2013).
Foot kinematics and loading of professional athletes in American football-specific tasks. Gait &
Posture, 38(4), 563-569. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.03.034
• Stracuzzi, D. J., Fern, A., Ali, K., Hess, R., Pinto, J., Li, N.,Tolga, K., Shapiro, D. G. (2011). An
Application of Transfer to American Football: From Observation of Raw Video to Control in a
Simulated Environment. AI Magazine, 32(2), 107. doi:10.1609/aimag.v32i2.2336
• Vitale, J. A., Caumo, A., Roveda, E., Montaruli, A., Torre, A. L., Battaglini, C. L., & Carandente, F.
(2016). Physical Attributes and NFL Combine Performance Tests Between Italian National League
and American Football Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(10), 2802-
2808. doi:10.1519/jsc.0000000000001377
• Williams, J., Singichetti, B., Li, H., Xiang, H., Klingele, K., & Yang, J. (2017). Epidemiological
Patterns of Initial and Subsequent Injuries in Collegiate Football Athletes. The American Journal Of
Sports Medicine, 45(5), 1171-1178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0363546516685317