Fitness Testing

3-Cone Shuttle Drill Test

three cone agility shuttle This test is part of the fitness testing battery for the NFL Combine replacing the “4 Cone” or “Box” drill.

purpose: this is a test of agility, including speed, quickness, flexibility, change of direction, body control.
equipment required: stopwatch, measuring tape or marked football field, marker cones, a flat non-slip surface.
procedure: Three marker cones are placed to form an "L." with cones at the corner and at each end, 5 yards apart (see diagram). The player starts by getting down in a three-point stance next to Cone 1. On the command 'Go', he runs to Cone 2, bends down and touches a line with his right hand. Then he turns and runs back to Cone 1, bends down and touches that line with his right hand. Then he runs back to Cone 2 and around the outside of it, weaves inside Cone 3, then around the outside of Cones 3 and 2 before finishing at Cone 1. The player must run forward while altering his running direction, as opposed to strictly stopping and starting in opposite directions. Each time they perform the 3-cone drill for a different side (e.g. first time they curve to the left, second time they curve to the right). See 3-cone shuttle drill video.

scoring: The time to complete the test in seconds is recorded. The score is the best time of two trials.
target population: This test is part of the NFL testing combine, though it would be suitable for athletes involved in many team sports where agility is important such basketball, hockey, rugby, soccer.
comments:
- The 3-Cone Drill is the newest addition to the NFL scouting combine, replacing the “4 Cone” or “Box” drill.
- This test is also sometimes called the L-Drill due to the shape of the cone layout.