---
title: "Drop Hop Test"
description: "The Drop Hop Test is a higher-demand unilateral reactive assessment requiring careful setup and safety guidance."
url: https://help.matassessment.com/en/articles/110-drop-hop-test
collection: "Power"
updated: 2026-05-05
language: en
---

# Drop Hop Test

The Drop Hop Test is a higher-demand unilateral reactive assessment requiring careful setup and safety guidance.

The Drop Hop Test assesses single-leg reactive power and landing control after dropping from a height. It can help monitor unilateral plyometric readiness and side-to-side performance.

## Introduction

Bilateral drop jumps can hide limb differences. The Drop Hop Test increases demand by requiring the client to absorb and rebound on one leg, making it useful for later-stage rehabilitation and sport preparation.

## Quick Summary

Test name: Drop Hop Test  
Purpose: Assess single-leg reactive power  
What it assesses: Unilateral landing, rebound, contact time, hop height or distance  
Equipment: Box, landing surface, force plate/contact mat/Hop MAT  
Key finding: Hop height/distance, contact time or RSI if available  
Best used with: Drop Jump, Vertical Hop, Single Leg Rebound  
Key limitation: High demand; not suitable early in rehabilitation

## What Is the Drop Hop Test?

The MAT page identifies the Drop Hop Test as a Power Testing assessment. In practice, the client drops from a box or marker and rebounds on one leg, with performance and control recorded.

## Why It Is Used

It assesses unilateral reactive strength and landing-control capacity.

## What It Measures

It may measure hop height, hop distance, contact time, RSI or landing control, depending on the setup.

## Who It Is Useful For

Advanced rehabilitation clients, athletes, jumping athletes and clients preparing for return to sport.

## Equipment Required

Low box or step  
MAT, Hop MAT, force plate or contact mat  
Flat non-slip surface  
Measurz or MAT  
Optional video

## Step-by-Step Protocol

Choose a safe drop height.

The client stands on the box.

They step off and land on one leg.

They rebound immediately into a hop or vertical rebound depending on the selected protocol.

They land with control.

Repeat on both sides with rest.

Record the chosen output consistently.

## Scoring and Interpretation

Record height, distance, contact time or RSI depending on equipment. Compare sides cautiously and prioritise safe landing and controlled rebound.

## Normative Data or Reference Values

No universal normative values should be applied.

## Reliability and Validity

Reliability depends on drop height, surface, arm use, equipment and instructions.

## Common Errors and Testing Limitations

Common errors include jumping off the box, collapsing on landing, excessive contact time, failing to rebound and testing before adequate readiness.

## Practical Applications

Use Drop Hop testing for late-stage plyometric progression, limb comparison and reactive power monitoring.

## How to Record This in Measurz

Record side, box height, output metric, contact time, RSI if available, pain, landing control, balance and confidence.

## FAQs

### What does the Drop Hop Test measure?

Single-leg reactive power and landing control.

### Is it harder than a Drop Jump?

Usually yes, because it is unilateral.

### Should box height be recorded?

Yes. It strongly affects the result.

## Key Takeaways

The Drop Hop Test is a unilateral reactive power test.  
Use only when the client is ready.  
Record drop height and landing quality.  
Compare sides under identical setup.

## References

Flanagan, E. P., & Comyns, T. M. (2008). The use of contact time and reactive strength index. _Strength and Conditioning Journal, 30_(5), 32–38.

Schilaty, N. D., Bates, N. A., Krych, A. J., & Hewett, T. E. (2020). Utility of single-leg vertical jump measures after ACL reconstruction. _Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 50_(2), 71–77.