How Does the NFL Measure Hands?
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The National Football League has a very specific process for measuring the hands of its players. Here’s a look at how they do it.
The Process
The National Football League has a process for measuring the hands of draft-eligible players. This process is important because hand size can be a determining factor in a player’s success at the NFL level. The process involves the use of calipers and a measuring template. Let’s take a look at how this process works.
Measuring during the NFL Combine
During the NFL Scouting Combine, prospective players are put through a number of tests and measurements, including the hand size test. This is done in order to give teams an idea of what kind of player they are drafting.
The hand size test is simple: each player puts their hand in a device that measures the length and width of their hands. The average hand size for NFL players is 9.6 inches, but there is a lot of variation from player to player. For example, some quarterbacks have smaller hands because they need to be able to grip the ball better.
The hand size measurement is just one piece of information that teams use when evaluating players. They also look at things like height, weight, speed, and strength. But for some positions, like quarterback or wide receiver, hand size can be an important factor in determining how successful a player will be.
Measuring during Pro Days
On pro days, NFL scouts put draft-eligible players through a series of tests and drills. One of those tests is the hand size measurement.
Scouts measure the span of the player’s hand from the tip of their longest finger to the bottom of their palm. They then record that number in inches. This measurement is important for several reasons.
First, a player’s hand size can be an indicator of how well they will be able to grip and hold on to a football. Larger hands can help a player control the ball better, especially in cold and wet weather conditions.
Second, hand size is correlated with arm length. Players with longer arms and larger hands tend to have an advantage in blocking and tackling because they can get their hands on opponents more easily.
Finally, hand size can be a helpful tool in evaluating pass catchers. Generally, larger hands are an asset for receivers because they provide a bigger target for quarterbacks to throw to. Additionally, bigger hands can help receivers make contested catches more effectively.
There are no set thresholds for hand size in the NFL. However, scouts use this information, along with other data points such as height, weight, arm length, and 40-yard dash time, to make informed decisions about which players to draft.
The Tools
The primary tool that the NFL uses to measure hand size is a Vernier caliper. A Vernier caliper is an instrument that is used to measure the distance between two points. The NFL also uses a ruler to measure hand size.
The Verifier
The NFL’s official hand size verifier is a plastic device that measures from the bottom of the palm to the tip of the middle finger. It is important to note that this measurement does not include the thumb. The NFL used this same device to measure receivers’ hands at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Calipers
The next most popular hand-measuring device is the calipers. Calipers work by snugly fitting around the contours of the hand and measuring the girth or circumference. This tool is favored by some NFL personnel because it can give a more accurate representation of how big a player’s hands are in relation to the rest of his body.
The Formula
The average hand size of an NFL player is 10.08 inches. The average wingspan is 74.72 inches. The average vertical leap is 28.5 inches. The average standing reach is 76.77 inches. NFL players have an average of 33.46 inches of hand size.
Hand Size = Length x Width
Length is measured from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the hand. Width is measured across the hand at the knuckles.
The ideal hand size for a NFL quarterback is 9 inches. Quarterbacks with smaller hands may have a difficult time gripping and throwing the football, while quarterbacks with larger hands may have trouble fitting their hands into smaller gloves.
The Record
The average hand size of an NFL player is 9.25 inches. The largest recorded hand size belongs to Michael Jordan, who had hands that were 10.5 inches. The smallest recorded hand size belongs to John Stockton, who had hands that were 8.875 inches.
John Ross III
John Ross III (born November 27, 1994) is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Washington, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season with the Bengals, Ross set an NFL record for the longest touchdown reception in a game with a 90-yard reception against the Baltimore Ravens.
