A Conditioning Event
Important races of magnitude are traditionally annual events such as the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans. Having yearly competitive contests allows for a historical perspective of achievements. Not only can one win today, but comparisons can be made with others from the past, a ‘win-win’ situation.
Making a traditional event that your athletes can look forward to and compare their results with their teammates and those who played before them is a team builder.
The Drive Sled 500
The Rogers Drive Sled
Weight Limit
A weight limit is selected based on one's coaching philosophy example: If a coach does not want a football player weighing over 325 pounds this becomes the cut off bodyweight for setting up the race programs load to be added to each Drive Sled.
Athletic Pairing and Drive Sled Loading
All athletes' body weights are recorded and athletes are paired as close as possible weight wise. This means that a 225lb player must be paired with an athlete on the team that is closest to their weight. If the nearest athlete is 230lbs take the heaviest of the two players' weight that is competing against them on the same Drive Sled and subtract it from the overall 325lb weight limit imposed by the head coach. Once done divide the result by 2 (ex: 325 - 230 = 95/2 = 47.5lbs) the amount 47.5lbs is to be added to the sled. In addition to the added weight one of the two athletes will stand on the loaded Drive Sled while being pushed by his competitor.
*Larger players over the weight limit need to diet and get in the required shape.
The Event
Each athlete is to complete 5-100 yard races
Athlete #1 is to push the Rogers Drive Sled 100 yards for time, while his competitor Athlete #2 rides on the sled.
Once Athlete #1 crosses the 100 yard mark the total time is collected and Athlete #2 immediately begins his 100 yard sled drive.
How To Win The Event
First Goal
The first goal is to record the fastest time coming in first in at least 3 out of the 5 races with your opponent.
As in motorsports there are allotted time sanctions or what is called a stop-and-go penalty for in-race infractions. The infraction in this race is a 5 second penalty for each stop within 100 yards.
How long the athlete stops to rest is not timed, as the stop-and-go penalty is always 5 seconds, even if the athlete stops for 1 second, 60 seconds or more.
How long the athlete is resting is a penalty in itself as the clock keeps running and it lengthens the total time of the sled push.
The 5 second penalties are to be added to the total time of that race in determining the winning time.
Second
The total number of stops for all 5 races are counted and added up. The goal is to have the fewest stopping penalties.
Third
The third goal is to acquire the best total time adding up all the times of the 5 races, which includes adding all of the 5 second penalties.
To Win
To beat your sled opponent you must win two out of the above three (number of races, less total stopping penalties and lowest total time) - or it will be considered a tie.
Fourth
The team is divided by position or weight classes. Overall winners in each position or weight class are posted.
Fifth
Post the Drive Sled overall winners with winners from the past by weight class or position.
Sixth
Select and post this year's overall Champion.
Fitness
LIke any activity fitness is required. Consider starting with 5-25 yard Drive Sled races, 5-50 yard races, and 5-75 yard competitions before attempting the big race.
Drive Sled Training