IMG Academy duo impresses at iLLSPEED competition in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. – The first-ever iLLSPEED Competition Presented by Under Armour – the Illist drill in football which measures not only speed but burst, agility, dynamic reaction and footwork – took place at West Orange High School outside of Orlando, Florida with more than 20 of the fastest the area has to offer competing for a spot in the finals in Baltimore.
The test is made up of four different parts: start, dynamic reaction agility, feet and agility skill and the all-important race to the finish. Competitors got two individual runs through the drill where they began two yards behind the start line, burst out of their stance once the red light on the first gate is illuminated and then were off to the races.
After the competitor passed through the first gate, dynamic reaction was tested as they had to quickly determine which of two gates lit up and dash towards the proper gate. This showed vision, reaction time and cognitive reflexes, all important traits for any player skill position player.
After choosing the proper gate, the competitor then rounded a standing bag and then navigated the ladder drill, where footwork is a must and any slip up cost them time. After completing the ladder drill, the competitor then headed back toward the start gate where he had to grab a football in stride, turn back through the original gate and then show off his speed by racing 40 yards downfield to the finish.
All in all, the drill itself showed off a player’s ability to start off the whistle with burst, react to visual stimuli and make a key cognitive choice while reaching top speed, flash his footwork and ball skills and then finish with straight line quickness.
This is a drill like no other in the training industry and challenged each competitor in a way they’ve never seen before. The top four in Orlando were rewarded with a trip to the iLLSPEED Finals where they will compete with finalists from the Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta events to determine who is the Illest.
The top four from Orlando were:
Emmanuel Greene, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy – 14.44 seconds
Marcus Williamson, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy – 14.53 seconds
Mike Harley, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas – 14.55 seconds
Chauncy Smart, Auburndale, Fla. – 14.59 seconds
“This drill was new so it was challenging,” said Greene who won by nearly a tenth of a second. “It’s competitive and it’s fun to go against some of the best and fastest kids around your area. It definitely reaffirms speed and agility.”
Williamson, who finished second, agreed.
“It’s nothing like I’ve done before and I think coming around the turn and hitting the ladder drill was the toughest part,” said the Ohio State commitment. “It was a challenge and a good one. After you go through the first time you get a better feel of how to get through it faster.”
Each player that competed wore the brand new Florida-branded Spotlight cleats by Under Armour.
