Everything You Need To Know About SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro for Soccer Practice

Everything You Need To Know About SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro for Soccer Practice

The Adjustable and Progressive Design of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles

One of the standout features of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro is the adjustable and progressive design. The hurdles can be effortlessly adjusted to 3 different heights – 6, 12, and 18 inches. This allows athletes to customize the hurdle height to match their current skill and training level. For example, beginners can start at 6 inches to focus on technique and coordination. As their skills improve, the hurdle height can be increased to 12 or 18 inches to add intensity and challenge.

The ability to adjust the hurdles enables continuous skill progression. Athletes can incrementally increase the difficulty and demands as their foot speed, agility, and coordination improves. Progressive overload is a key training principle for improving athletic performance. With the SKLZ adjustable hurdles, athletes can systematically progress their drills over time by minutely increasing the hurdle height. This promotes steady gains in quickness, body control, and jumping ability.

The adjustable heights also allow the hurdles to be used by athletes of different ages and abilities. The lower 6 inch height is suitable for young athletes just learning speed and agility drills. The higher 18 inch setting provides an intense workout for well-conditioned adult athletes. So the SKLZ Speed Hurdles can grow with an athlete through their developmental years.

In summary, the innovative adjustable and progressive design is a major advantage of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro. Being able to customize the hurdle height enables athletes to match the intensity to their current skill level, systematically progress their training over time, and maximize improvements in critical athletic qualities like foot speed, coordination, jumping power, and overall body control.

The Durable and Weather Resistant Construction of SKLZ Speed Hurdles

In addition to the adjustable design, another standout feature of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro is the durable and weather resistant construction. The hurdles are built to withstand repeated use in a variety of training conditions and environments.

The base and hurdle rods are made from a sturdy composite plastic material. This makes them extremely durable for high intensity agility drills. The plastic composite is designed to flex and rebound back into shape when knocked over or impacted. It also resists damage from rough surfaces like turf or abrasive indoor floors. Even after repetitive impacts, the hurdles maintain their structure and integrity.

The heavy-duty plastic polymer also makes the hurdles weather resistant. They can withstand exposure to sun, rain, snow, and other outdoor elements without degrading or becoming brittle. No need to worry about leaving them outside on the field in between practices. The sturdy construction ensures they will be ready for your next high intensity speed workout.

The carrying bag is also made from durable canvas material with a water-resistant coating. It will protect the hurdles when transporting them to and from training sessions. No need to handle the hurdles gently – just throw them in the bag and go.

Having hurdles that can withstand aggressive use and outdoor weather is important for serious athletes. You don’t want equipment failing during intense training that is focused on improving your athletic potential. The heavy-duty construction ensures the SKLZ Speed Hurdles will hold up through years of continuous use.

In summary, the durability and weather resistance provides peace of mind that this equipment will handle whatever your training program can throw at it. You can focus on progressively improving your agility and foot speed without worrying about damaging the hurdles. Their sturdy design can keep up with hardcore, high intensity drills practice after practice, season after season.

The Quick and Easy Set Up of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles

In addition to the adjustable and durable design, the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro also features a quick and easy set up process. This allows coaches and athletes to spend less time prepping equipment and more time training.

Each hurdle has a collapsible design that makes them highly portable. The legs easily fold inward to create a compact size for transport and storage. Setting up the hurdles is also a breeze – simply unfold the legs until they snap into place. No tools or complicated assembly required.

The hurdles use a pin lock mechanism to securely lock the height adjustments in place. Changing the height can be done in seconds by pulling out the pin, adjusting to the desired slot, and re-inserting the pin. No struggling with complex mechanisms or losing small pieces in the grass.

The hurdles also come with a heavy-duty carrying bag with shoulder strap. This allows for convenient transport to practices and events. The bag can fit up to 10 collapsed hurdles. One person can easily carry all the gear to the field or track.

With the SKLZ Speed Hurdles, coaches can swiftly set up agility drills with different patterns and spacing. No more wasting time hunting down enough cones or makeshift objects to create a hurdle drill circuit. And it takes just minutes to adjust all the hurdle heights for a different workout focus.

Athletes can also independently set up solo drills to improve their agility on their own time. No need for a coach or partner to assist with cumbersome equipment.

In summary, the collapsible portable design and easy height adjustability removes setup barriers. Coaches and athletes can fully utilize their practice time to perform speed and agility drills that will improve quickness and body control. Less setup equals more high intensity training equals greater gains.

Drills and Exercises to Improve Agility with SKLZ Hurdles

The SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro provide coaches and athletes with excellent equipment to improve agility through targeted drills and exercises. The adjustable hurdles allow for creating dynamic circuits to enhance footwork, body control, change of direction, and reactive movements.

A foundational drill is the single leg hop over. Athletes laterally hop over each hurdle in sequence, focusing on balancing on one foot between hurdles. This drill develops stability, power, and coordination in each leg individually. Coaches can mix up the patterns to work on linear, lateral, and multi-directional agility.

Another great drill is the hurdle jump series. Athletes sprint and rhythmically jump over a series of hurdles working on stride length, body positioning, and explosiveness. Adjusting the hurdle height adds intensity once proper technique is established. Hurdle jumps are great for improving bounce and plyometrics.

The hurdles can also be used for ladder drills by placing them between the ladder rungs. Quick in-and-out movements between ladder rungs and over hurdles combines footwork, coordination, balance, and agility. Ladder-hurdle combos are excellent for improving explosive change of direction.

For soccer athletes specifically, drills like the side-to-side dribble with hurdles boosts control dribbling the ball while maneuvering challenges. Coaches can also set up passing and receiving exercises by placing hurdles between players to work on precision ball movement.

With some creativity, coaches can design limitless agility workout variations using the SKLZ adjustable hurdles. The progressive overload provided by changing hurdle height, patterns, speed, and duration ensures continuous improvement in quickness, coordination, balance, strength, and power – key athletic capabilities for soccer.

Tips for Using SKLZ Hurdles for Soccer Agility Drills

Here are some top tips for coaches and soccer players looking to use the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro for enhancing agility:

Start with proper hurdle height – For beginners, start with the lowest 6 inch height to allow focusing on body control and coordination before adding intensity.

Focus on technique early on – In the initial sessions, prioritize technical execution like foot placement and clearance over speed.

Use markers – Place ground markers like cones between hurdles to cue proper stride length and direction changes.

Add speed gradually – Once athletes can cleanly clear the hurdles with proper form, incrementally increase speed over time.

Encourage rhythm – Having athletes count strides or hurdles jumped can help engrain the proper rhythmic technique.

Change patterns frequently – Switch up hurdle spacing, arrangements, paths often to develop multi-directional agility.

Work on agility skills like planting and cutting – Place hurdles just before a cone turn to cue planting and rapid direction changes.

Combine with other equipment – Ladders, dots, and bounce boards can complement hurdle circuits.

Emphasize single leg independence – Unilateral drills build leg individual strength, power, and control.

Sprint through the finish – Remind athletes to run hard through the last hurdle to the end for conditioning.

Progress Overload – Increase height, speed, sets, and hurdle totals over time as skills improve.

Add competitive elements – Challenge athletes to beat personal bests or compete in small groups.

The SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro provide an excellent tool for soccer coaches and players to implement agility training that transfers to match performance and injury resilience. Following these tips will help athletes gain the most from their hurdle program.

How the SKLZ Hurdles Improve Soccer Foot Speed and Coordination

The SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro are an excellent tool for developing critical athletic skills like foot speed and coordination in soccer players. Here’s how hurdle training translates to improved on-field performance:

Faster foot turnover – Clearing hurdles with rhythmic jumps enhances the neuromuscular patterns for quicker turnover. This transfers to quicker maneuvering with the ball.

Quicker change of direction – Planting and pushing off hard to clear hurdles mimics the explosive COD needed in matches.

Improved body control – Maintaining balance and control while clearing hurdles develops core strength and proprioception. This allows changing speed and direction with precision.

Enhanced coordination – Hurdling requires timing and coordination of foot placement and hip drive. This is foundational for close ball control during dribbling.

Better reactive agility – Varied hurdle patterns and arrangements forces reactive body adjustments, improving reaction time on the field.

Increased power – Jumping horizontally over hurdles develops leg and hip power for acceleration and jumps during games.

Unilateral strength – Single leg hurdle drills build lateral strength for stability while dribbling and evasive maneuvers.

Rhythmic technique – The rhythmic hurdle cadence ingrains efficient gait patterns applicable during fast dribbling.

Hurdle training develops many of the precise neuromuscular capabilities like quickness, precision, power, and reactive agility that allow elite close control of the ball and sharp multi-directional maneuvers. By incorporating the SKLZ adjustable hurdles into their program, soccer players can significantly improve foot speed and coordination.

Sample Agility Drills with SKLZ Hurdles for Soccer Players

Here are some sample agility drills using the SKLZ Speed Hurdles that soccer coaches can incorporate into practices:

Zigzag Hurdles – Set up 5-10 hurdles in a zigzag pattern. Have players laterally shuffle in and out while hurdling to improve coordinated footwork and reactive hip mobility.

Ladder-Hurdle Combo – Combine ladder rungs with low hurdles. Have players do in-outs while navigating lateral hurdles to link coordination, footwork, and plyometrics.

Hurdle Sprints – Sprint in a straight line and rhythmically clear 5-10 hurdles working on stride length, knee drive, and speed maintenance through the series.

Diagonal Hurdles – Arrange hurdles diagonally across the field. Sprint and clear hurdles working on crossing over and explosive change of direction.

Cut and Clear – Set up hurdles before a cone turn. Sprint hard into a planting turn at the cone then explode out over the hurdle. This combines deceleration, cuts, and acceleration.

Single Leg Hop Overs – Laterally hop over hurdles balancing on one leg in between each for unilateral power and stability.

Dribble Hurdles – Dribble a ball while maintaining control going in and out of hurdles set up in a zigzag pattern.

Cone Hurdle Combo – Sprint and clear hurdles arranged between a series of cones to work on variable paths and angled takeoffs.

Assessing needs and customizing the drills allows coaches to use SKLZ hurdles to target each athlete’s agility deficiencies – whether it’s coordination, footwork, power, cuts, or multi-directional speed. A comprehensive hurdle program can significantly boost soccer performance.

How the Adjustable SKLZ Hurdle Heights Aid Progression

The adjustable height settings of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro provide built-in progression as athletes improve their agility skills over time. Here’s how varying the height can aid athletic development:

• Lower heights teach technique – The 6 inch beginner height allows athletes to focus on technical elements like foot placement and body position when first learning speed and hurdle drills.
• Smaller increments prevent overload – Being able to go up in smaller 6 inch increments prevents excessive intensity jumps that risk injury when progressing hurdle height.
• Gradual progression optimizes adaptation – Minimally raising hurdle height session to session maximizes adaptation as the body keeps adjusting to slightly greater demands.
• Periodization integration – Hurdle height can be adjusted through training cycles to match targeted intensities during offseason, preseason, in-season programs.
• Microprogessions maintain gains – Incremental height increases every few weeks continually pushes capabilities even during peak season.
• Additional challenge without new skill – Simply increasing hurdle height provides a new training stimulus without learning entirely new drills.
• Breaks plateaus – A plateau in speed or agility can be broken by raising the demands through hurdle height.
• Caters to individual rate of gains – Hurdle height can be customized to each athlete’s individual rate of progression.

Adjustable hurdle heights enable incremental, structured progressions that minimize injury risk while optimizing training adaptations. Coaches can systematically develop athleticism over long term development.’,

In summary, the SKLZ Speed Hurdles’ range of height adjustments complements tailored periodization, microprogression, and individualization for continuous skill gains throughout an athlete’s developmental years.

Comparing the SKLZ Hurdles to Other Agility Options

When evaluating equipment for agility training, the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro stands out from many other options in the market. Here’s how the SKLZ hurdles compare to other alternatives:

Versatility – The adjustable heights allow the SKLZ hurdles to be used by athletes across skill levels rather than catering only to elite performers.

Durability – The sturdy construction withstands daily use much better than lightweight plastic hurdles or PVC pipe builds.

Portability – The collapsible design with carrying bag facilitates easy transport compared to bulkier or fixed height hurdles.

Adaptability – The height adjustability and light weight provides more workout variations than heavier weighted hurdles.

Usability – The quick set up and height adjustments enables using practice time more efficiently than options requiring complicated setups.

Progression – The 6 inch height increments enable gradual progression unlike options with fixed heights.

Value – The SKLZ hurdles offer proven quality and performance for a very reasonable price point compared to premium priced brands.

While homemade PVC or wood hurdles may be cheaper, they tend to be less durable and lack adjustable heights. Agility ladders work different movement skills but can’t replace horizontal explosiveness development. Cones are helpful but lack reactive cues and intensity progression of hurdles.

For soccer coaches seeking well-designed hurdles that will improve athleticism for an entire team over the long term, the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro checks all the boxes. The adjustable and durable design provides the right tool for continuous skill progression at every level.

Expert Reviews and Recommendations of the SKLZ Hurdles

The SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro receive positive recommendations from coaches and experts in sports performance training:

“I appreciate the solid construction and portability of these hurdles. They stand up to daily use by my entire team and are easy to carry all over the field to set up different drills.” – High School Soccer Coach

“The adjustable height feature is so important for gradual progression as athletes develop. I start my young soccer players at the beginner level and systematically increase the intensity over their career.” – Youth Soccer Academy Director

“These are my go-to hurdles for all sports – soccer, football, track & field. The athletes can generate more power and work on sprinting technique compared to flimsier plastic hurdles.” – Athletic Performance Trainer

“The SKLZ hurdles are a regular staple in our team practices. I love being able to quickly set up intense agility circuits tailored to the needs of our players thanks to the adjustable heights.” – NCAA Division 1 Soccer Coach

“Compared to just using cones, the dynamic hurdle drills elicit much more focused improvements in foot speed, explosiveness, and reactive agility that transfer onto the field.” – Soccer Skills Coach

The experts agree – the adjustable height options, sturdy construction, and portability of the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro make them highly effective for enhancing soccer athleticism. Coaches can implement targeted high intensity drills efficiently session after session.

Pricing and Where to Buy the SKLZ Speed Hurdles

The SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro provide excellent value considering their proven quality and performance enhancing capabilities.

Individual Hurdles:
The typical price for one SKLZ Speed Hurdle is $25-35 depending on the retailer. This makes each hurdle affordable for individuals looking to buy just a few units.

Sets:
The hurdles can also be purchased in bundled sets of 5, 10, or 20 units, which brings down the per unit price. A set of 10 hurdles typically costs $200-250, making each hurdle around $20-25 when buying in bulk.

The SKLZ brand is carried by leading retailers including:

For the best deals, look out for sales events around major holidays and back to school season when retailers promote training equipment. The SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro represent a worthwhile investment for soccer teams, clubs, coaches, or multi-sport athletes looking to bring out players’ full agility potential through targeted skill progression.

Answering Frequently Asked Questions About the SKLZ Hurdles

Here are answers to some common questions about the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro:

How many hurdles should I get?

Are the hurdles durable for outdoor use?

Can adults use the highest height?

Do the hurdles come assembled?

What’s the recommended spacing between hurdles?

How do you change the height?

Can you combine them with other equipment?

Are the hurdles good for injury prevention?

Do soccer players need special shoes for hurdle drills?

Can I use hurdles on artificial turf?

In summary, the SKLZ hurdles are ideal for maximizing agility for soccer players of all ages and skill levels thanks to the adjustable heights and durable design.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials on the SKLZ Hurdles

In addition to expert recommendations, the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro also receive positive customer reviews and testimonials:

“These hurdles have really helped improve my soccer footwork and coordination. My feet feel so much quicker and more nimble on the ball.”

“I bought these for my daughter’s soccer team and they have held up great through months of use. The carrying bag makes it easy to transport them to practice.”

“The adjustable height feature is awesome. I could lower it as my son learned proper form. Now I can raise it as he improves to challenge him.”

“I like being able to collapse them for easy storage. I can stash them in my garage and quickly set them up to practice footwork in my backyard.”

“These are way more durable than the cheap plastic hurdles that easily get damaged. I don’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon.”

“The quality and performance of these hurdles has helped me elevate my agility to the next level for soccer.”

The positive user reviews reinforce how the adjustable, durable, and portable design of the SKLZ hurdles enable both youth and adult athletes to improve their on-field athleticism and take their soccer game to the next level through progressive agility training.

The Bottom Line – Why Soccer Players Should Use SKLZ Hurdles

Here’s a recap of the key reasons why the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro are an excellent training investment for any committed soccer player:

Enhances critical athletic skills – Agility, quickness, coordination, power, balance, and reactive movements are all improved with proper hurdle training. These translate directly to superior on-field capabilities.

Allows gradual progression – The adjustable height range enables athletes to systematically increase intensity over time as abilities improve to optimize adaptation.

Durable and weatherproof – The sturdy construction means the hurdles can withstand aggressive use in any conditions for years without replacement.

Easy to transport – The lightweight collapsible design and included carrying bag facilitates convenient use for both personal and team training.

Quick to set up – Unfolding the legs and adjusting the heights is fast and simple to maximize time spent performing drills.

Effective injury prevention – Developing strength, power, and body control helps prevent injuries and enhances career longevity.

Boosts multi-directional agility – Varied hurdle patterns in multiple planes improves linear, lateral, and change of direction abilities.

Affordable price – Delivers proven performance enhancement for a reasonable investment even on an individual athlete budget.

For any soccer player serious about maximizing their physical abilities, incorporating the SKLZ Speed Hurdles into training is an easy choice. The hurdles deliver results and provide a training tool that can be used over the long term progression to elite levels of performance.

Final Take – Start Using SKLZ Hurdles to Take Your Game Higher

In conclusion, the SKLZ Speed Hurdles Pro offer soccer players an invaluable training tool to develop the agility, quickness, coordination, balance, strength, and reactive sharpness required to excel on the field.

The adjustable and durable design allows implementing progressive hurdle drills tailored to each athlete’s current capabilities and future potential. As abilities improve, hurdle height can be systematically increased to provide new challenges without reaching a ceiling.

Coaches can easily set up intense circuits to focus on footwork, explosive power, multi-directional cuts, and first-step quickness. Technical elements like posture, stride, and arm drive can be honed through hurdle repetitions. Soccer-specific drills with the ball further engrain control and coordination.

Young players can develop a foundation of agility and athleticism that sets up a trajectory of elite performance through a long-term developmental progression. The SKLZ hurdles grow with an athlete from the early years refining technique all the way to capping potential at the highest levels.

So whether just starting out or working to take your game to the next level, make the SKLZ Speed Hurdles a staple of your training. Their proven performance benefits combined with adjustability and durability makes them a wise investment for any motivated soccer player. Get started today harnessing the power of hurdle training on your path to the top!