Test Objective: To measure general touch football ability.

Age level: College. Note: Those designing this test for middle school may want to use the Jacobson-Borleske Touch Football Test found in the source below.

Equipment: Footballs, stop watch, scoring and field marking material.

Administration and directions: Includes three tests

1. Forward Pass for Distance: Subject receives ball from center while standing at the end line and executes 3 forward passes for distance. Use a regular football field or 5 yard markers.
2. Punt for Distance: Same as above except ball is received 7 yards behind end line. Ball must be punted within 2 seconds after receiving snap. Field marking same as forward pass.
3. Run for time: Subjects line up in three-point stance five yards from the center. When the ball is snapped to the subject, the subject proceeds to sprint 50 yards. The 50 yard distance is measured from the point where the run initiated.
4. Catching Forward Pass: The subject runs three different pass patterns. Square out: subject goes 10 yards straight down field from center and cuts right at 90 degrees. Post or flag: subject goes 10 yard down field and cuts left at 35 degree angle and continues to run. V pattern: subject goes 15 yards down the field at a 45 degree angle from the center and cuts right at 45 degree angle and continues to run across the field parallel to end line. The pass should be caught while running the pattern. Three “fair” trials are given to each subject. A “fair” trail is when the pass is thrown accurately enough for the subject to have a reasonable opportunity to catch the ball. If the subject can touch the ball with reasonable effort, it counts as a fair trial.
5. Pass Defense Zone. Field is marked in four equal quadrants measuring 42 x 36 feet. The subject takes a position in one of the four quadrants. A center snaps the football to a passer who is standing 10 yards to the rear. Three receivers run predetermined pass patterns as decided in the huddle. Three pass plays are executed and each has either one, two or three receivers running to the same quadrant as the defender. The defender must remain in that quadrant. It is necessary that the number of receivers going into the defenders quadrant varies on each play. The defender should play a zone defense and attempt to knock down or intercept the pass. A defender is penalized for interference. If a poor pass is thrown and no one has a chance to catch it, the trial is redone.

Scoring: The longest forward pass and punt are measured to the nearest yard. Run for time is recorded. Each pass caught in the pass patters counts as 10 points In Pass Defense Zone 2 points are awarded for knocking down the ball when one receiver is in the quadrant, and four points are given if the ball is intercepted. If two receivers are in the zone, six points are awarded for knocking the ball down and 8 points for an interception. With three receivers in the zone, ten points are awarded if the defensive player either knocks down or intercepts the pass. The maximum score a defensive player can achieve is 22. For pass interference, the total score is reduced by one-third.

Source: Collins, D. R., and Hodges, P. B. (2001). A Comprehensive Guide to Sports Skills Tests and Measurement (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Page 224-225. Page 124-129.