Force Plate Testing: See What Your Athlete Is Really Made Of
Coaches can see how high an athlete jumps. A force plate shows how they got there. Our Hawkin Dynamics force plates measure the force an athlete puts into the ground hundreds of times per second. That shows us their strength, power, speed and balance between left and right. Instead of guessing, we can pinpoint what’s holding an athlete back, train it directly and prove the progress at the next test.
Why Force Plates?
Objective numbers. Every athlete gets measurable results instead of an eye test, so progress is clear to athletes, parents and coaches.
Find the real limiter. Two athletes can jump the same height for different reasons. One may need more strength, the other more speed. Force plates show which one applies.
Strength relative to body weight. When paired with InBody body composition, we can see whether an athlete’s weight is muscle that helps them or extra mass they have to carry.
Spot imbalances early. Left-to-right differences can point to weaknesses or old injuries before they turn into new ones.
Track progress over time. Seasonal retests show whether training is working and help guide return-to-play decisions.
Stand Out in Recruiting
Coaches want more than a highlight reel. Force plate testing gives athletes verified, objective numbers from Hawkin Dynamics force plates, measured the same way every time, so recruiters can trust what they’re seeing.
Verified data: Jump height, force, and power numbers that are measured, not estimated or self-reported.
Quality jumps, not just higher jumps: We show how an athlete produces force, how quickly they get off the ground, and whether their jump is efficient, so a coach sees the athlete’s engine, not just the result.
Landing mechanics: We measure how an athlete absorbs force on the way down, including left-to-right balance, which helps flag injury risk and shows a coach the athlete is durable.
Progress over time: Retesting shows real, documented improvement that an athlete can share with coaches as they develop.
Give coaches a clear, credible picture of what you can do, and what you’re building toward.
The Tests
Countermovement Jump (CMJ). The athlete dips and jumps as high as possible. This is our core test. It measures jump height, the force produced, how fast it’s produced, and left/right balance.
Arm-Swing Jump. This is the same jump, with arms. It shows how well an athlete coordinates the whole body, which is closer to how they move in their sport.
Rebound Jump. The athlete lands and immediately jumps again. It measures reactivity, meaning how well an athlete absorbs force and turns it right back into movement. Think of it as how “springy” they are.
Balance and Landing. These tests measure stability and how well an athlete controls force when landing, which is key for knee and ankle health.
How It Helps Each Sport
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Vertical jump wins rebounds, blocks and finishes at the rim, and quick, repeated jumps matter just as much. Force plates measure both explosive power and reactive ability. They also flag landing imbalances linked to the knee and ankle injuries common in the sport.
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Sprinters, jumpers and throwers all depend on producing big force in a short time. Force plate data shows whether an athlete needs more raw strength or faster force production, so training matches their event. Rebound testing is especially useful for sprinters and jumpers who rely on quick ground contacts.
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Explosiveness off the line, acceleration and physical contact all start with force into the ground. Testing tracks power relative to body weight across positions. It also gives clear data during heavy training blocks to watch for fatigue and guide return from injury.
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Hitting and throwing velocity start from the ground up. Force plates measure lower-body power and left-to-right differences, which matter in a sport where athletes rotate one way thousands of times. That helps build power while keeping the body balanced and durable.
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Gymnasts need maximum power with minimal body weight, and they take repeated hard landings. Force plates measure power per pound and landing control, which helps build bigger skills and protect joints.
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Players sprint, cut, jump and change direction for 90 minutes. Testing measures explosive power and reactive strength, and it flags leg imbalances tied to common soccer injuries like ACL and hamstring strains. Retesting also helps monitor fatigue across a long season.
Train Smarter, Not Just Harder
Every athlete leaves with a clear picture of their strengths, their limiters and a plan to improve. Retests show exactly how much progress they’ve made.