One of the biggest mistakes athletes make in the 40 yard dash happens before they even take the first step. Your shin angle determines the direction of your force. ➡️ Too vertical? You push down, pop up too soon, and lose acceleration. ➡️ Too low? You overreach, lose power, and struggle to project forward. ✅ Around a 45° front shin angle allows you to apply force backward into the turf, creating the horizontal power needed for an explosive start. Remember: Your body follows your shin. Where your shin points is generally where your force goes. Better shin angles lead to better force application, better acceleration, and faster 10 - yard splits - the foundation of a great 40. Coaching cues: • Push out - not up. • Push the turf behind you. • Project your hips forward. • Match your torso angle to your front shin. • Stay low and accelerate - don’t pop up. The fastest athletes don’t just move their legs faster - they apply force in the right direction. jloving23 of the chicagobears...