What’s the Most Accurate Way to Time a 40-Yard Dash?

The Benchmark Test

Let’s be real — in football, the 40-yard dash is the headline test.

It’s the number everyone remembers. It might not tell you everything, but it sure tells you something. And for athletes, cutting just a tenth of a second can mean more attention, better offers, and serious momentum.

But here’s the catch: timing it right is harder than it looks.

Hand Timing: The Old Standard

Most of us have done it. Stopwatch in hand, thumb ready, eyes on the line.

It’s quick. It’s cheap. But it’s not accurate.

Human reaction adds anywhere from 0.1 to 0.2 seconds.
Coaches often start or stop early — even without realizing it.
A “4.4” hand time usually turns out to be 4.6 or 4.7 electronically.

It’s fine for a rough check, but not for tracking real progress.

Laser Gates: Closer, but Not Perfect

Laser timing systems are common at showcases. They’re better, no doubt — but they’ve got quirks:

A hand, knee, or head can trigger the start/stop early.
Setup takes time. Consistency across athletes? Not always.
In group testing, they slow everything down.

They look precise, but results can still leave you scratching your head.

NFL Combine Timing: The Gold Standard

At the NFL Combine, they go all out: laser beams, video backup, photo finish systems. It’s elite-level accurate. No reaction time. No guessing. Just data.

But here’s why you’re not using it:

It’s expensive.
It’s complex.
You need trained staff.

It’s the best. It’s just not practical for schools, teams, or coaches working in real-world environments.

What Coaches Actually Need

We don’t need a lab. We need a system that’s:

Consistent — same setup every time.
Repeatable — so you know if a player’s getting better.
Practical — fast to set up, easy to use with groups, and built for the field.

Accuracy is important. But consistency is everything. That’s what makes progress measurable — and trustworthy.

Where Freelap Fits In

This is why coaches are using Freelap:

Fully automatic timing — no reaction delay, no bias.
Wireless and portable — set it up in minutes, anywhere.
Scalable — works great for individuals or full teams.
Center-of-mass timing — triggered by the athlete, not a hand or knee.
Data you can trust — because it’s repeatable and rock-solid.

Freelap gives you combine-level precision without the cost or complexity. Your athletes get legit times. You get clean data.

It’s a win.

Quick Recap: What Works, What Doesn’t

Timing Method	Pros	Cons
Stopwatch	Fast, easy	±0.2s error, human bias
Laser Gates	Better accuracy	False triggers, setup hassle
NFL-Style Systems	Top-tier precision	Expensive, not scalable
Freelap	Fast, accurate, portable	Real-world solution

In The End

What’s the most accurate way to time a 40?

For the NFL Combine: full electronic setup with video.
For everyone else: a repeatable system that removes human error and builds trust.

In the end, it’s not just about running a fast 40 — it’s about knowing the time is real, and knowing week to week if your athletes are improving.

That’s what Freelap does — and why more coaches are making the switch.

Learn how Freelap helps you time the 40 with confidence.