Arrowhead Agility Drill
This test measures the agility of the athlete, especially body control and change of direction, commonly used for testing soccer players. This test is part of the assessment battery for SPARQ soccer, and their protocol is listed here.
purpose: this is a test of speed, explosion, body control and the ability to change direction over a range of angles and directions.
equipment required: stopwatch or timing gates, measuring tape or or chalk for marking the ground, 6 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 out the course and place marker cones. Ensure that the participants are adequately warmed-up. See more details of pre-test procedures.
test layout: The cones are laid out as per the diagram, with three marker cones placed in a arrowhead shape, and one set of cones or line marker to indicate the start and finish line.
procedure: The player starts with their foot behind the starting line in a sprint start position. When ready, they run as fast a possible to the middle cone (A), turn to run around the side cone (C) or (D), around the far cone (B) and back through the start/finish line. The subject completes four trails, two to the left then two to the right (as shown). The trail does not count if they step over a cone instead of around it.
scoring: Record the best time to complete the test for the left and right turning trails. The time is recorded in seconds to the nearest two decimal places for each direction.
results: US Decathlete Bryan Clay achieved 15.49 seconds in this test during a SPARQ testing exercise (published in SPARQ Magazine, Summer 2008).
target population: used for testing soccer players, though it would be suitable for sports where agility is important
comments: Turning technique and coordination is also a large factor in this test.
The Test in Action
- This test is part of the assessment battery for SPARQ soccer
Similar Tests
- Lane Agility Drill (basketball)
- AFL Agility Test
- Zig-Zag Test
- Illinois Agility Test
- Balsom Agility Run (soccer)
Related Pages
- Other agility tests
- The SPARQ football (soccer) rating
- fitness testing for soccer
- SPARQ fitness rating system
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