It was on the second day of my combine grind that the Parabolic trainers set up the lines and cones for testing. The three-cone drill, also known as the “L drill,” was among the first we ran, almost immediately after the 40-yard dash.

This was my first time running the drill. There were basics to master, such as where and in which direction to run and at what time. That didn’t even include when to zig, when to zag, when to accelerate, when to pound the brakes or burst through the finish line. All so complicated for a newbie like myself.

It all looks so easy on television. The reality is it’s all so much harder and confusing in real life.

Considering the NFL was never in my future, it’s understandable this specific drill was so foreign. But most of the other 17 prospects around me were in a similar boat. I asked a handful if they had ever run the three-cone drill. The unanimous answer was no.

There clearly was a lot to gain from the six weeks or more of NFL preparatory training, beginning with learning how to run some of the drills, or simply learning how to run and/or breathe.

Five weeks into the program, I’ve made some strides. So have all the participants, some cutting a full tenth or more off their 40 and/or two- to four-tenths of a second off their three-cone or shuttle times.

A look at where some of the biggest gains have been made:

Learning to run and breathe: This sounds so basic, and maybe because I was starting near the floor this was more applicable to me than others. But among the first things they teach is how to breathe properly. This helps athletes manage the positions of their body more effectively.

I was stuck on basics such as posture (stand up straight), extending your arms and not keeping them too tight to your body, striking and snapping your lead foot into the ground and sprinting on the balls of your feet rather than the heel or toe -- all of which I either didn’t know or didn't do effectively. I couldn’t even coordinate my arms with my legs as it wasn’t uncommon for my right arm to pump with my right leg rather than vice versa.

Yes, running and sprinting technique is important, and something football players seem to know little about.

“From a technical standpoint, the understanding of the skill of acceleration [there have been the most gains],” Parabolic trainer Justin Moore said. “Most guys have never been taught how to accelerate their bodies properly, and their understanding of and ability to display the posture, body action and horizontal force application characteristic of acceleration has improved night and day. This skill applies not only to the first 10, 20 yards of the 40, but to the exiting cuts in the shuttle and three-cone, as well as to coming off the ball or accelerating out of a break in the game of football as well.”

So while it’s useful for combine and pro day training, it should also help them going forward.

Functional strength: After several workouts my legs barely wanted to move and certainly didn’t desire to strike the ground with force. Working in the weight room on a regular basis was also a foreign concept.

A month into the program there have certainly been enormous gains. My functional strength has improved dramatically from the squats, jumps and core work. Youngstown State offensive lineman Justin Spencer even mentioned an improvement in his muscle endurance as his biggest gain to date. That has come from the use of lower weights and more reps than in the past. This is part of a weight room program designed specifically for his needs.

My needs? Pretty much everything. Not sure there was a program they could put together for that one, but whatever they’ve done, I magically do feel stronger and more powerful.

Body control: It happens almost every day running through a drill when my brain doesn’t sync with my body. I say stop and it just keeps going. Or I intend for my body to cut and we take a detour to Delaware.

It was much worse at the start. The tightness in my hips hasn’t completely subsided, but it’s to the point now where at least I can control my body.

Valparaiso defensive back J.J. Nunes pointed out the improvement in his body control as his biggest gain from the program so far. While he moves exponentially more effortlessly and efficiently, it’s near the top of my list as well.

This is where those breathing activities come into play. This is where they’re getting many of us -- I’m not alone in my ineptitude! -- out of the traditional arched back, chest up and squeezed shoulder position that limits our mobility. That restricts muscles like abs, hamstrings and glutes. No wonder those specific muscles have been screaming at me daily for the past month.

Through all the squats and dead lifts in the gym, our body control has improved. Our range of motion has increased. I can open up and run and move my shoulders and hips to points they haven’t experienced in years. It might not feel great, but it does feel better. It seems to be working, although my pro day in March will be the ultimate test.