Why Performance Testing Matters for Young Athletes

And Why Our Combine Experience Is Unlike Anything Else in the Region

When most people hear “combine,” they think of the NFL. Timed sprints. Jump tests. Scouts with clipboards. A high-pressure, one-shot moment to prove your worth.

But here’s the truth: Performance testing isn’t just for elite athletes at the top of their game—it’s one of the most valuable tools for developing young athletes, too.

At Earn the Edge Performance, our Combine isn’t just about stats. It’s about building confident movers, teaching proper mechanics, and helping athletes understand their bodies so they can improve, adapt, and grow year over year.

This isn’t just another combine. This is a total performance experience.

Why Testing Matters Early On

✅ It creates a baseline: When athletes know where they’re starting, they can set clear, measurable goals.

✅ It teaches body awareness: Movement testing—when done right—teaches young athletes how to sprint, jump, cut, and change direction with proper form, which improves performance and reduces injury risk.

✅ It builds confidence: Instead of fearing the numbers, athletes learn how to use them. Each year, they return faster, stronger, and more in control of their development.

✅ It helps coaches and parents support long-term growth: Testing provides objective data that guides training and gives us insight into strengths, weaknesses, and progress over time.

What Makes Our Combine Different?

Most combines are “one and done.” You show up. You run the drills. You leave.

Ours is designed to teach, prepare, and empower.

🔥 Day 1: Combine Prep Day: Athletes don’t just show up and test—they learn how to perform each drill with power and efficiency. Led by expert coaches, including staff from Professional and NCAA Division I strength & conditioning programs, Combine Prep teaches:

• Sprint technique for maximum speed

• Jump mechanics to increase vertical & broad numbers

• Acceleration and deceleration for better shuttle/agility results

• Insider tips that help athletes perform with confidence

📍 Athletes can start as early as age 11, attend annually, and master these movement patterns long before they ever reach a recruiting phase. The earlier they learn the drills, the better they’ll execute when it matters most.

Nutrition Matters, Too

We’re not just training the body—we’re training the whole athlete.

That’s why we’ve added a Nutrition Education Station, led by Certified Sports Nutritionist Laura Cordero, to teach athletes the fundamentals of:

• Fueling before performance to maximize energy and focus

• Refueling after performance to rebuild muscles and prevent fatigue

• Hydration, recovery, and simple food strategies that support long-term health

🎯 This is knowledge most athletes aren’t getting anywhere else—especially not this early in their careers. We want our athletes to leave with more than numbers. We want them to leave educated and empowered.

And to complete the experience?

🥤 Press’d OR Blend’d will be on site, offering delicious recovery nutrition to sample and/or purchase, so athletes can immediately refuel with quality ingredients after a high-performance session.

It’s More Than a Combine—It’s a Launchpad

At Earn the Edge, we’re not just testing athletes. We’re building them—with world-class coaching, nutrition support, education, and intentional feedback they can use for life.

Whether your athlete plays soccer, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, or is just beginning their journey, this event is designed to give them a competitive edge in sport and in life.

📍 June 18–19 | Peterswood Park, Venetia, PA🎟️ Ages 11–13 & 14–18 — boys and girls welcome🔗 Register now: www.earntheedgeperformance.com/event-details/combine-prep-and-testing

Start early. Train smart. Learn the game—and your body—before the pressure’s on.

This is how confident, resilient athletes are made.