AGILITY TESTING FOR FOOTBALL
Agility testing in football is designed to assess a player's ability to change direction, accelerate, decelerate, and maneuver effectively on the field. Agility is a crucial skill in football, as players need to quickly change direction while carrying the ball, evading defenders, or pursuing opponents. Here are some common agility tests used in football:
Pro Agility Shuttle (5-10-5 Drill):
Setup: Set up three cones in a straight line, with 5 yards between each cone.
Execution: Players start in a three-point stance at the middle cone. They sprint to one side (5 yards), touch the ground or cone, change direction, sprint 10 yards to the opposite side, touch the ground or cone, and then sprint 5 yards back to the middle cone.
Purpose: This drill assesses lateral quickness, acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction ability.
L-Drill (3-Cone Drill):
Setup: Place three cones in the shape of an "L" with 5 yards between the cones.
Execution: Players start at the first cone, sprint to the second cone, touch the ground or cone, pivot and sprint to the third cone, touch the ground or cone, and then sprint through the starting cone.
Purpose: The L-drill evaluates a player's ability to change direction quickly while maintaining speed and balance.
Arrowhead Drill:
Setup: Set up four cones in a "V" or arrowhead formation, with about 5-10 yards between the cones.
Execution: Players start at the base of the arrowhead and sprint forward to the first cone. They then backpedal to the starting point, shuffle laterally to the left or right cone, touch the ground or cone, shuffle back to the middle cone, touch the ground or cone, and then shuffle laterally to the opposite cone. The player finishes by sprinting backward to the starting point.
Purpose: This drill focuses on multi-directional movement, agility, and change of direction.
Illinois Agility Test:
Setup: Set up cones in a specific pattern to create a series of straight sprints, lateral movements, and changes of direction.
Execution: Players follow the designated pattern as quickly as possible, sprinting forward, shuffling laterally, weaving through cones, and performing quick turns.
Purpose: The Illinois Agility Test measures an athlete's agility and ability to navigate through a complex course.
Cone Zigzag Drill:
Setup: Set up a series of cones in a zigzag pattern, with about 2-3 yards between each cone.
Execution: Players quickly zigzag through the cones, moving laterally while changing direction.
Purpose: This drill improves lateral agility, quickness, and coordination.
When conducting agility testing in football, ensure that players warm up properly and perform the tests on a safe and suitable surface. Agility tests should be part of a comprehensive assessment that considers other football-specific skills and attributes.