What Is VALD SmartSpeed? Baseball Speed Testing Explained
VALD SmartSpeed is the laser timing system used at the NFL Combine and pro baseball programs. Learn what it measures, why it beats stopwatches, and how UpperDeck uses it to build real baseball speed.
Jack LeBlond, CSCS
Head Strength & Hitting Coach, UpperDeck Training
What Is VALD SmartSpeed?
VALD SmartSpeed is an electronic laser timing system that measures sprint performance gate-to-gate, eliminating human reaction time error from the equation. It is used at the NFL Scouting Combine, Power Five college programs, and professional development facilities worldwide, including UpperDeck Training in Sanford, ME.
Why Laser Timing Beats a Stopwatch
Handheld stopwatch timing introduces 0.15-0.20 seconds of human reaction time error per reading. Over a 40-yard dash, that error translates to a 2-3 mph difference in reported speed, enough to misclassify an athlete's entire speed profile and prescribe the wrong training.
VALD SmartSpeed triggers the moment the athlete breaks the first laser gate and records electronically through the finish. The number is accurate and reproducible. It does not change based on who is holding the watch, where they are standing, or how fast their reaction is.
For player development, accurate data is not optional. If the measurement cannot be trusted, you cannot know whether training is actually working. This is exactly why UpperDeck uses VALD SmartSpeed instead of a stopwatch at every assessment.
What VALD SmartSpeed Measures at UpperDeck
10-Yard Dash
The 10-yard dash measures first-step explosiveness, the most game-relevant speed quality in baseball. First-step quickness determines whether an infielder gets to a slow roller, whether a baserunner beats a throw by a step, and whether an outfielder closes on a sinking line drive. It is the speed quality that shows up on every single play.
40-Yard Dash
The 40-yard dash measures full speed capacity, the overall athletic ceiling that underlies all sport-specific movement. While baseball rarely demands a straight 40-yard sprint, athletes who improve their 40-yard time consistently demonstrate improvement in game-speed situations including outfield routes and base-to-base running.
How the Data Drives the Program
Speed assessment data is not a report card, it is a training prescription. The relationship between the 10-yard and 40-yard splits tells us exactly where the gap is:
- Strong 10, soft 40: Good first-step explosion but limited top-end speed, program shifts toward maximum velocity mechanics and top-speed exposure
- Slow 10, decent 40: Weak initial force production, not a speed ceiling, prescription shifts toward explosive strength work and short-resistance sprint training
- Both slow: Full athletic development block comes before baseball-specific speed work
Speed Benchmarks for High School Baseball Players
10-Yard Dash
- Average high school athlete: 1.65-1.75 sec
- Strong / varsity starter: 1.55-1.64 sec
- Elite / college prospect: below 1.55 sec
40-Yard Dash
- Average high school athlete: 4.7-5.0 sec
- Strong / varsity starter: 4.5-4.69 sec
- Elite / college prospect: below 4.5 sec
- Professional development range: below 4.4 sec
These ranges reflect general reference data. Position context matters, a shortstop and a catcher have different speed demands and development priorities, and assessments are interpreted accordingly.
Can Baseball Speed Be Trained?
Yes, and more reliably than most athletes expect. Speed is a trained quality, not a fixed one. First-step quickness responds well to plyometric training, reactive drill work, and explosive lower-body strength programming. Top-end speed responds to sprint mechanics work, stride rate development, and maximum velocity exposure.
The athletes who improve speed fastest are those who start with an accurate baseline (SmartSpeed), train the right quality for their specific deficit (10-yard vs. 40-yard emphasis), and retest consistently to confirm the program is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good 10-yard dash time for a high school baseball player?
A strong 10-yard dash time for a high school baseball player is 1.55-1.64 seconds. Below 1.55 is elite, typically in line with Division I and professional development timelines. Above 1.75 seconds indicates first-step explosiveness is a primary development priority.
Is the 40-yard dash relevant to baseball?
Yes. The 40-yard dash measures an athlete's overall speed ceiling and is a useful baseline for development programming. While baseball speed is more situational than football, athletes who improve their 40-yard time consistently show improvement in game-speed movement across all positions.
How often should a baseball player retest speed?
Retesting every 8-12 weeks during an active training phase gives the body enough time to adapt while still providing meaningful data. Testing too frequently produces noise; too infrequently risks missing the signal that a program needs adjusting.
Can first-step quickness be trained?
Yes, significantly. First-step quickness responds well to plyometric training, reactive drill work, and explosive lower-body strength programming. It is one of the most trainable speed qualities in baseball, and one of the highest-return investments for an infielder or outfielder.
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