The Modified Edgren Side Step Test assesses lateral movement, change of direction and coordination using a cone-based zigzag pattern. It is useful for athletes and active clients who need repeated lateral movement and rapid footwork.
A player may look fast in a straight sprint but lose time when asked to shuffle, cross over and redirect. The Modified Edgren Side Step Test gives professionals a structured way to observe lateral quickness and coordinated change of direction.
Test name: Modified Edgren Side Step Test
Also known as: Modified Edgren test, modified lateral side-step test
Purpose: Assess lateral agility and change-of-direction performance
What it assesses: Lateral movement speed, crossover control, coordination and footwork
Equipment: Cones, flat surface, stopwatch or timing gates
Key finding: Completion time
Best used with: Edgren Side Step Test, Agility T-Test, 505 Agility Test and sport-specific movement drills
Key limitation: Modified versions vary, so the exact setup must be recorded
The Modified Edgren Side Step Test is a cone-based agility test that uses side-step and crossover movements through a zigzag pattern. The MAT article describes six cones in a straight line, about 3 feet apart, with three cones on each side of the middle cone about 5 feet away, forming a zigzag pattern.
It is used to assess lateral quickness, change-of-direction ability and movement coordination. It may be helpful in sports where athletes must shuffle, cross over, redirect and accelerate repeatedly.
The test measures planned lateral movement speed, crossover control, coordination and course completion time.
It does not measure reactive agility, sport decision-making, diagnosis of injury or all aspects of match movement.
This test may be useful for basketball, football, soccer, netball, hockey, tennis, rehabilitation and general athletic development.
Flat, non-slip surface
Six or more cones, depending on the exact layout
Measuring tape
Stopwatch or timing gates
Measurz or MAT for recording
Set up the cones using the selected Modified Edgren layout. The MAT article describes six cones in a straight line, about 3 feet apart, with three cones on each side of the middle cone, about 5 feet away, forming a zigzag pattern.
Ask the client to complete a 10-minute warm-up using light jogging, dynamic mobility and progressive lateral movements.
The client starts at the first cone on the left side, facing the right side of the course.
On “go”, start the timer.
The client side-steps to the second cone on the right side of the course, then side-steps back to the first cone on the left side.
The client then uses the instructed crossover pattern and continues zigzagging through the cones until reaching the final cone.
Stop the timer when the client reaches the finish.
Record the time to the nearest tenth of a second.
Rest and repeat for two more trials.
Use the best valid time or the average of trials, depending on your testing standard.
The primary score is completion time. A faster time generally suggests better lateral quickness and course efficiency.
Interpret the time alongside movement quality. Poor control, slipping, uncontrolled crossover steps, pain, poor trunk control or cutting the course should be recorded, even if the time is fast.
No universal normative values should be applied to all Modified Edgren protocols. Different cone layouts, scoring rules, surfaces and populations can change the result.
Use the client’s own baseline, sport demands and repeated testing under the same conditions.
The MAT article lists research comparing the Modified Edgren Side-Step Test with other agility testing in collegiate football players and training studies involving agility performance. Reliability is strongest when cone spacing, movement instructions, timing method and trial rules are identical between sessions.
Sensitivity and specificity are not applicable for routine use. This is a performance assessment, not a diagnostic test.
Common errors include unclear cone layout, using different distances between sessions, inconsistent timing, allowing different movement strategies, not recording invalid trials and comparing scores across different Modified Edgren versions.
The test is planned, so it does not capture reaction time, visual scanning or decision-making.
Use this test to monitor agility training, lateral movement confidence, rehabilitation progression, change-of-direction control and sport movement preparation.
Record the cone layout, distances, time, trial number, best or average score, surface, footwear, pain, fatigue, confidence, invalid trials and movement quality. Add notes about crossover control, loss of balance, hesitancy or symptoms.
Edgren Side Step Test
Agility T-Test
Illinois Agility Test
505 Agility Test
Lateral Hop Test
Single Leg Balance
Lower-limb strength testing
The modified version uses a cone-based zigzag layout and includes side-step and crossover movements rather than only repeated side stepping.
The score is usually completion time, recorded to the nearest tenth of a second.
Not directly. The setup and scoring are different, so each test should be tracked separately.
No. It is a planned agility performance test and should be interpreted with other assessment findings.
The Modified Edgren Side Step Test assesses lateral quickness and coordinated footwork.
Record the exact cone layout every time.
Use time plus movement-quality notes.
Avoid comparing results across different versions of the test.
Brown, T. D., Weir, P. L., & Royer, T. D. (2015). The effects of two agility training protocols on strength, power, and agility performance in female softball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(5), 1301–1308.
Edgren, R. E. (1986). An integrated approach to sports conditioning. Human Kinetics.
Wilkerson, G. B., Colston, M. A., Short, N. I., & Neal, K. L. (2012). Comparison of modified Edgren side-step test and pro-agility test results in collegiate football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(7), 1824–1827.
