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Box Drill Fitness Test

The Box Drill Fitness Test is a test of agility, in which participants are required to run around a 10-yard square course. It has also been called the “4 Cone” Test. This test was once part of the testing battery for the NFL Combine, before being replaced by the 3-Cone Drill.

purpose: this is a test of agility, including speed, quickness, flexibility, change of direction and body control.

equipment required: stopwatch, measuring tape, 4 marker cones, a flat non-slip surface, recording sheets.

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 course and place marker cones. Subject to perform an appropriate warm-up. See more details of pre-test procedures.

course setup: Four marker cones are placed 10 yards apart in a square configuration (see diagram).

procedure: The player starts by getting down in a three-point stance next to Cone 1. On the command 'Go', he sprints to cone 2, then shuffles sideways to cone 3. From there you back-pedal to cone 4 and finish by turning and sprinting through and finishing at cone 1. The athlete must go around the outside of each cone.

scoring: The time to complete the test in seconds is recorded. The score is the best time of two trials.

target population: This test used to be part 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comments: The “4 Cone” or “Box” drill has been replaced by the 3-Cone Drill in the NFL scouting combine.