Cone Star Drill

Break from a centre cone to each of five or eight outer cones and back. Trains multidirectional acceleration and deceleration from a single reactive starting position.

DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
Cones
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Quads · Glutes
ALSO WORKS
Hamstrings · Adductors · Gluteus Medius · Calves
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Set five to eight cones in a circle about five yards from a centre cone.
  2. 02Start at the centre in an athletic stance, hips low, weight on the forefeet.
  3. 03Break to the first outer cone, touch its base, and return to the centre.
  4. 04Repeat to each outer cone in turn, returning to the centre every time.
  5. 05Rest 90 seconds between full circuits and run 3 to 4 circuits.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Push off the far foot to change direction.
  2. 02Reset your stance at the centre every time.
  3. 03Deceleration is the drill, not the sprint.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Coasting into the outer cones — the braking phase is where the training effect and the injury protection sit.
  2. 02Standing tall at the centre between reps — you cannot break in any direction from an upright, straight-legged stance.
  3. 03Running the whole circuit without rest — it becomes a conditioning circuit and the movement quality drops.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

Want a program built around you?

BOOK YOUR ASSESSMENT →