Shuttle runs

Category: Agility

4-6 reps over 10-20 yards each

Carla van den Berg

  • Knee stacked over ankle at direction change
  • Toes from both feet facing forward at time of direction change
  • Arm opposing the bent leg should be in front, elbows flexed at 90-degrees
  • Arms move forward with opposing leg during the running phase; movement is initiated from the shoulder 

Variation 1: Inside foot direction change 

  • Change direction by keeping body weight over inside leg
  • Outside leg remains straight, holding little to no body weight (Think as if you are trying to cheat on the beep test; the outside leg is barely reaching to touch the end line as you change direction)

Variation 2: Outside foot direction change

  • Change direction by keeping body weight over outside leg
  • Inside leg remains straight, holding little to no body weight
  • Knees collapsing inward
    • Cue "Drive knee out towards pinky toe" to correct leg holding body weight
    • Cue “Full weight on other leg” to correct the leg not holding the body weight
  • Excessive forward lean at direction change
    • Cue “Proud chest”
  • Lazy arms
    • Cue "Swing from the shoulder"
    • Cue "Drive elbows back"
  • Arm is forward from same side as bent leg
    • Cue “Think of using your arm as a counter-balance”
  • Increases heart and breathing rates
  • Increases exercise intensity close to that needed for the upcoming session
  • Opportunity to work on sprinting technique
  • Knee control
  • Arm/leg coordination