Background:-Stretching to hamstring muscles to improve the flexibility is routine programme in football players. Hamstring tightness is one of the predisposing factors in producing soft tissue injuries to the lower limbs in these players. Among the different stretching techniques, passive static stretching is commonly used to treat this tightness. But nowadays eccentric stretching is performed to improve the flexibility of hamstring tightness. This study compares the effect of these two stretching techniques in improving flexibility in football players. Methods: Thirty (30) football players from first divisional club with unilateral hamstring tightness were divided into three groups of 10 subject each. Group__ampersandsignndash;A passive static stretching, Group __ampersandsignndash; B eccentric training and Group __ampersandsignndash; C combination of passive static stretching and eccentric training. Each group received intervention for a total of 6 weeks. The outcome measures were assessed by Sit and Reach Test. Result: The analysis of data indicated that improvement in hamstring tightness was seen in all three groups as measured by sit and reach test. But on comparison of these three groups, group C showed better result than the other two groups (p__ampersandsignlt; 0.01) Conclusion: Combination of static stretching along with eccentric stretching is effective than static stretching alone in improving the hamstring flexibility in football players. decrease in the range of motion at the joint on which it acts 9M.uscle tightness usually results from inadequate or improper rehabilitation following sustained muscle injury or low levels of physical activity in individuals. __ampersandsign#39;Tight__ampersandsign#39; hamstrings are proposed to be one of the main causes of hamstring strains. Hamstring tightness is defined as 30 degree loss of active knee extension with femur held at 90 degree of hip flexion 10 . Tight hamstring muscles increase the patellofemoral compressive force because of the increased passive resistance during the swing phase of ambulation and running 11 . Decreased hamstring flexibility is a risk factor for development of patellar tendinopathy and pattello-femoral pain. Hamstring tightness has been reported to be the cause of posterior pelvic tilting, reduced lumbar lordosis and exacerbation of existing pain in patients with low back pain 12 . Static stretching is one of the safest and most commonly performed stretching methods used to increase muscle length 13 . This type of stretch is applied slowly and gradually at a relatively constant force to avoid eliciting a stretch reflex. The literature supports that a static stretch of 30 seconds at a frequency of 3 repeated stretches per single session is sufficient to increase muscle length 14. It is a commonly used method of stretching in which soft tissues are elongated just apart the point of tissue resistance and then held in the lengthened position with a sustained stretch force over a period of time. Eccentric training that allows the muscle to elongate naturally and in its relaxed state, this elongation is achieved by having the subjects eccentrically contract the antagonist muscle to move the joint through the full available range in slow controlled manner to stretch the agonist muscle group 15. Eccentric resistance exercise may prevent injury to the muscle tendon unit by improving the muscle__ampersandsignlsquo;s ability to absorb more energy before failing. It is a better training strategy to improve the flexibility and also able to increase in strength and protect against muscle damage 16 . To prescribe suitable rehabilitative measures, it is necessary to know the effects of stretching on range of motion, but also to learn about the effects of stretching and eccentric training on muscle flexibility. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to combine the effect of passive static stretching along with eccentric training to improve flexibility of hamstrings. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty young male football players randomly selected from various professional clubs in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala state in India were selected for the study. The need and significance of the study was explained to the players and consent form for participation was obtained prior to data collection. The primary inclusion criteria was the presence of unilateral Knee Extension Angle (KEA) __ampersandsigngt;200 . Subjects who had an acute or chronic low back pain, hamstring tightness with pain, soft tissue injury, fracture, arthritis and inflammatory joint conditions were excluded. The ethical clearance was obtained from the Calicut University and study was conducted from January 2010 to September 2010. Data Collection Procedure Prior to study a consent letter was obtained from team management in order to conduct the study. Consent was obtained from 30 participants agreeing to participate in the study and they were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were divided in to three groups, Group A (Passive Static Stretching), Group B (Eccentric training) and Group C (Combined Protocol of passive static stretching and eccentric training). They were grouped by randomized design. Pretest measurements were taken using goniometry for Knee Extension Angle (KEA) and sit and reach test for hamstrings flexibility prior to the stretching. Each group undergone prescribed stretching method according to the protocol specified for 6 weeks. The post test measurements were obtained after 6 weeks.