The 2008 Nike Combine season was epic - 16 combiens crossing the country from Portland, OR to Miami, FL, the Kneeling Power Ball Toss replacing the out-dated Bench Press, and over 16,000 athletes putting their hearts and bodies on the line.

It is impossible to hit all the highlights. Las Vegas-based trainer Mike Waters trained and traveled with 70 athletes to the Los Angeles combine where they snagged three of the top five spots. Max Martinez trained for the new Kneeling Power Ball Toss using an 11kg Power Ball and killed in that test with a 4300 at the Columbus Combine.

In March 2008, SPARQ Mag hooked up with Olympic decathlete Bryan Clay to see how he’d compare to some top rated athletes we’ve tested.

Athletes who train and compete to do the decathlon- the 10-sport track & field event that includes 110-meter hurdles, long jump, pole vault, and javelin, among others -are often dubbed the World’s Greatest Athlete. In a recent round of SPARQ Testing, the current world-champion decathlete, Bryan Clay, proved he deserves that lofty title.

Sometimes in sports, you find a concept that’s brilliant in its simplicity: you can’t hit what you can’t see.

“Don’t be fooled, the 40-yard dash can be studied for.” Brian Norgard from studentsports.com breaks down the 40 and gives you tips to maximize each and run your fastest forty.

Todd Norman continues his series on strength training advice.

When you stop conditioning you become more prone to injury. Rick Scarpulla explains why you must continue to work at speed and strength in order to maintain the gains you have made.

Ladder drills are simple and effective, and extremely easy to modify. One drill can be done in many different ways by simply adding extra steps, adding a ball toss, or by going in a different direction.

This video shows the basic how-to’s of the KnPB, the form that will get you a killer toss, and the fouls that will get you tossed out at the ‘08 football combines.

What drills should you do to prepare for the Kneeling Power Ball Toss? SPARQ Trainer Rick Scarpulla offers up his top 5 favorites.

In Part 2 of this article, SPARQ Trainer Rick Scarpulla shares tips No. 6 thru No. 10 for becoming faster and more explosive.