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Hurdle Drills for Speed

Written By: Gridiron Elite Training

how to jump higher to increase vertical

Hurdle Drills for Speed

Written By: Gridiron Elite Training

Football Players' Guide to Speed Hurdles Drills

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Hurdle drills for speed play a crucial role in football training programs, as they develop explosive speed, agility, and coordination. These speed hurdles drills and hurdle exercises are designed to enhance a football player’s ability to make quick, decisive movements and avoid tackles on the field. By incorporating these drills into your training routine, you can significantly improve your overall athletic performance and gain a competitive edge.

In this blog post, we will discuss the various benefits of hurdle exercises for speed, speed hurdles drills and hurdle exercises specifically tailored for football players.

If you don’t have access to speed training mini hurdles, you can check out our previous article on the best speed training hurdles for athletes.

Benefits of Hurdle Exercises For Speed

hurdle-hop-side-to-side

Improved Speed and Acceleration

One of the main benefits of incorporating hurdle exercises for speed into a football training program is the improvement in overall speed and acceleration. These exercises help develop the fast-twitch muscle fibers responsible for generating explosive power and speed. With regular practice, football players can enhance their ability to quickly change direction, burst past defenders, and cover more ground on the field.

Enhanced Agility and Coordination

Speed hurdles drills and hurdle exercises help improve agility and coordination by challenging the athlete to maintain balance, control, and body awareness while moving at high speeds. Football players must be able to quickly change direction and react to the movements of their opponents. Incorporating these drills into a training program will help players develop the necessary skills to evade tackles, maintain their footing, and make precise movements on the field.

Increased Lower Body Strength and Power

Hurdle drills for speed not only target the fast-twitch muscle fibers but also help build lower body strength and power. Football players rely heavily on their leg muscles to generate force and maintain stability during plays. By engaging in hurdle exercises, athletes can develop stronger and more powerful leg muscles, enabling them to make explosive movements, jump higher, and tackle more effectively.

Improved Flexibility and Mobility

Speed hurdles drills and hurdle exercises can also help football players improve their flexibility and mobility, particularly in the hip region. These exercises require athletes to maintain a full range of motion as they navigate hurdles and obstacles, promoting better joint health and reducing the risk of injury. Increased flexibility and mobility can translate to more efficient movement patterns on the field, allowing players to cover more ground and react more quickly to changes in play.

Better Balance and Body Control

One of the main challenges of hurdle drills for speed is maintaining balance and body control while navigating obstacles at high speeds. Football players who practice these drills will develop a better sense of body awareness and control, allowing them to maintain their footing and stay upright during plays. This increased balance and control can lead to fewer injuries and more effective performance on the field.

Mental Toughness and Focus

In addition to the physical benefits, speed hurdles drills and hurdle exercises can also help football players develop mental toughness and focus. These drills require athletes to concentrate and maintain their composure as they navigate obstacles at high speeds. By regularly engaging in these challenging exercises, football players can develop the mental fortitude necessary to perform well under pressure and stay focused during crucial moments in a game.

speed hurdle drills for american football players

10 Hurdle Exercises For Speed and Agility

Below are some hurdle exercises you can start doing in your workouts to help you improve your speed, agility, and explosiveness. 

For the best results, we recommend setting up 4-8 speed training hurdles about 3 feet apart.

Single Leg Bounds With Mini Hurdles
Perform 2 Sets Each Leg

Single Leg Hop Stick Landing With Hurdles
Perform 2 Sets Each Leg

Run Pass Run With Agility Hurdles
Perform 2 Sets Each Direction

Downhill Shuffle To Break 45 With Speed Hurdles
Perform 2 Sets Each Direction

Shuffle To Sprint With Mini Hurdles
Perform 2 Sets Each Direction

Sprint One Foot In Each With Speed Hurdles
Perform 3 Sets

Hurdle Hops Lateral
Perform 3 Sets of 10 Seconds

Single Linear Hurdle Hops
Perform 3 Sets of 10 Seconds

Slalom Weave Cone Shuffle To Single Leg Hurdle Hop To Sprint
Perform 2 Sets Each Direction

Slalom Weave To Hurdle Sprint To Slalom Weave
Perform 2 Sets Each Direction

Gridiron Speed and Agility Training Programs

Incorporating hurdle drills for speed, speed hurdles drills, and hurdle exercises into a football training program offers numerous benefits that can significantly enhance a player’s performance on the field. By developing explosive speed, agility, coordination, and mental toughness, football players can gain a competitive edge and become more effective athletes. Consider incorporating these drills into your training regimen to elevate your game and reach your full potential as a football player.

If you need more speed and agility drills for your training, you can read our latest posts on the “Best Speed and Agility Cone Drills For Football” and “Agility Exercises For Football.”

Suppose you’re a serious football player looking to play at the next level. You can access our sports performance training programs, football drills, workouts, and the Gridiron Recruiting Center inside “The Gridiron Academy” to help you with your football recruiting.

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Gridiron Elite Training was started to help educate and provide football players with a community to receive proper training and guidance.

We created “The Gridiron Elite Academy” which is an online football performance network that provides football players of all levels with sports performance workout programs, football position-specific drills, mindset coaching, mental toughness training, recruiting guidance and help, and nutrition programs.

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