Three-Cone L-Drill

An L-shaped course with tight turns around a cone. Trains change of direction at speed while leaning into a curve, which is closer to real play than straight shuttles.

DIFFICULTY
Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Cones
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Quads · Glutes
ALSO WORKS
Adductors · Gluteus Medius · Calves · Hamstrings
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Set three cones in an L: start cone, one five yards ahead, and a third five yards to the right of that.
  2. 02Sprint to the middle cone, touch the line, return and touch the start line.
  3. 03Sprint back to the middle cone and run around the outside of it to the right.
  4. 04Weave around the third cone in a tight figure, then come back around the middle cone.
  5. 05Sprint through the start line to finish. Rest 90 seconds and run 4 to 6 reps, alternating the turn direction.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Lean into the turn, do not step around it.
  2. 02Inside arm tight to the cone.
  3. 03Accelerate out of every corner.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Running wide around the cones — you turn a change-of-direction drill into a jog on a curve.
  2. 02Standing upright through the turns — you cannot lean into the corner and the outside foot loses grip.
  3. 03Only ever running it one direction — the turning side gets all the work and the other stays untrained.

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 →