CFA Shuttle Run

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flying2024

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I have a question regarding the shuttle run for the CFA since I am finding different information online. I thought that the CFA was consistent between all of the military academies. When looking at the shuttle run, is this also true? How far is the shuttle run? I have found differing information between 30 yards and 40 yards online. The West Point portal instructions say 40 yards, but their website detail instructions say it is 30 yards. Maybe this changed recently?? If it is 40 yards, I find it very difficult to believe that people are running this in the times stated online. I am practicing for the CFA and I am above average on everything except the shuttle run. I am running the 40 yard shuttle run in about 9.8 to 10 seconds and I cannot get the time down - people are saying the average is 8.1. I don't even think it is possible to get times people are stating online for 40 yards. I must be missing something as I am a very fast person. If the shuttle run is only 30 yards, then I would be fine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
The shuttle run is done on a course of 30 feet, not yards. The 40 yards is the total length of the shuttle run when administered. (30 ft x 4 trips = 120 ft = 40 yards).

Stealth_81
 
It is two rounds between two lines that are 10 yards apart. Thus, you travel 40 yards in total. Here is the YouTube video from the AFA:

-- you'll find the shuttle run at about 2:30.

I pass along a few pointers to my students, including running on a good, non-slip surface and running completely through the finish line -- no touch required. A great resource that I recommend is from the former-Navy SEAL, USNA graduate and military fitness expert, StewStewart. His article, How to Pass the Service Academy CFA, is quite thorough and provides a spectrum of exercises to help you improve your shuttle run as well as the other CFA events.

Good luck with your preparations!
 
Academician said:
It is two rounds between two lines that are 10 yards apart. Thus, you travel 40 yards in total. Here is the YouTube video from the AFA:

-- you'll find the shuttle run at about 2:30.

I pass along a few pointers to my students, including running on a good, non-slip surface and running completely through the finish line -- no touch required. A great resource that I recommend is from the former-Navy SEAL, USNA graduate and military fitness expert, StewStewart. His article, How to Pass the Service Academy CFA, is quite thorough and provides a spectrum of exercises to help you improve your shuttle run as well as the other CFA events.

Good luck with your preparations!
Click to expand...
Stew Smith for those wanting to google.
 
Thanks for the help! Now that we know it is 40 yards, The averages for both men and women seem really low for this event as stated online and on the video. NFL combine averages for the 40 yard dash are 4.5 - straight line, no stops- elite athletes. I can't imagine that 3 touch and turns add only 3.6 seconds for an "average" in the CFA test. Might just be me, but times don't seem accurate, which is why I was asking overall.
 
Honestly if you are above average on the other 5 events, I think that you shouldn't need to worry too much about the shuttle run being a little lower. Obviously you want to do your best, but don't stress too much as the high scores from the other events will definitely balance out the low score from the shuttle run. Also, you still have plenty of time if you want to improve this score.

I can definitely say from myself and other people I know that our CFA scores were all mixed, with some events having better scores than others. My pull ups and shuttle run were slightly below average, but I maxed out both sit-ups and push ups and was above average on the other two, so you should be fine.

Lmk if you have any other questions!!
 
Capt MJ said:
If you read the link with attention to detail, a “40-yard shuttle run” and “30 feet” are both described, with math working out as noted in posts above.


If you post the link where you saw “30 yards,” that might be helpful to posters attempting to assist you.
Click to expand...

As you stated, here is the link. I outline below where I saw "30 yards" - not to be confused with the 30 feet for one length of the run.


About 1/2 way down on this page, click on "Candidate Assessment Fitness Instructions."


Once you click on the instructions, this is exactly what it says about the shuttle run,

"Event 3. Shuttle Run
The shuttle run measures the ability to move rapidly while changing directions, which is an indicator of anaerobic power, agility, and quickness. The candidate must:
1) Begin the test with their entire body behind the start/finish line.
2) On the command “GO,” the candidate will sprint 30 feet to the turnaround line. Their foot and hand must simultaneously touch the floor
on or beyond the turn-around line. Then candidate with then sprint back to the start/finish line, touch on or beyond the start/finish line
and turn, sprinting back to the 30-foot line.
3) Execute two trials with a 1-minute rest between trials and record the best of the two trials on the form.

If you read #2 above - that is clear that you are running 30 yards - not 40 yards as people have stated. I have noted that these actual West Point instructions are different than the ones on the online application portal. Thus, all of the confusion!
 
USMA, USNA, USAFA, USMMA all use the standard CFA.

Here’s the USNA description, pasted below. The “course” is 30 ft, or 10 yards. Two “round trips,” or 4 legs of 30 ft each, for 120 ft or 40 yds total, as I read it. But, I have bolded in the USNA description what seems to be missing from 2) above, the USMA description.

Two timed trials.

Shuttle Run​

This measures the ability to move rapidly while changing directions. Indicator of anaerobic power, agility, and quickness.

The candidate must:

  • Begin the test with his/her entire body behind the start/finish line.
  • On the "GO" command, sprint 30 feet to the turn-around line. His/her foot and hand must simultaneously touch the floor on or beyond the turn-around line. Candidate will then sprint back to the start/finish line, touch on or beyond the start/finish line, sprinting back to the 30-foot line. Candidate touches on or beyond the turn-around line and then sprints back across the start/finish line to complete the trial. This is a total of a 40-yard shuttle run.
  • Execute two trials with a 1-minute rest between trials.
The scorer will:
  • Note the event start time (Should be 10:00 elapsed).
  • Measure the shuttle run course of 30 feet from a baseline.
  • Give the "GO" command to start the event; start stopwatch.
  • Monitor the candidate to determine that he/she places hand and foot beyond the measured line on each turn.
  • Record the best of the two trials in seconds/tenths of seconds.
 
Thank you for all of your help! Yes - the bolded information is the missing wording. It is interesting that this information was deleted from the previous version West Point had posted on their website. May just be an oversight. In any event, I double check with West Point and train for 40 yards since that is what the standard CFA seems to state. Again, appreciate the help!
 
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