Agility Cone or Compass Drill
The Agility Cone Drill is a lateral movement test that measures the agility of the athlete, especially body control and change of direction. This test is also called the compass drill, due to the agility course set out in all directions like points on a compass.
purpose: this is a test of speed, explosion, body control and the ability to change direction (agility).
equipment required: stopwatch or timing gates, measuring tape or or chalk, 5 marker cones, a flat non-slip surface.
pre-test: Explain the test procedures to the subject. Perform screening of health risks and obtain informed consent. Prepare forms and record basic information such as age, height, body weight, gender, test conditions. Measure and mark out the course. Ensure that the participants are adequately warmed-up. See more details of pre-test procedures.
procedure: The cones are laid out as per the diagram, with four marker cones placed in a diamond shape, and one in the middle. The outer cones are each placed 3 meters from the center. The player crouches behind and with their left hand on the middle cone, facing forwards (towards cone 5). The player then turns and runs to the right and touches the cone (2) with their hand. They then turn back and run to the center cone, out to the next cone (3), back to the center, out to the next cone (4), back to the center and then finally turn and finish by running through the finish line at cone 5. The player is required to touch the cone with their hand at each turn. Timing starts when the hand comes off the center cone, and stops when the chest passes through the line of the final cone. Rest for three minutes, then repeat the drill, moving in the opposite direction (counterclockwise, cones in order 1-4-3-2-5).
scoring: Record the time to complete the test in seconds to the nearest two decimal places for each direction. The score is the average time of two trials.
target population: basketball, soccer and other sports where agility is important
comments: Turning technique and coordination is also a large factor in this test. This test is also sometimes called the Compass Drill, as it requires you to run to all points of the compass. This test was once part of the battery for the SPARQ soccer and basketball rating, and their protocol is listed here. Soccer now use the Arrowhead Agility Drill Test, and Basketball the Lane Agility Drill.
Similar Tests
- Lane Agility Drill (basketball)
- AFL Agility Test
- Zig-Zag Test
- Illinois Agility Test
- Balsam Agility Run (soccer)
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