The Illinois Agility Test measures planned change-of-direction speed using a fixed cone course. It is useful for tracking agility performance, but results should be interpreted alongside sprint, strength, balance and movement-quality findings.
A client may have good straight-line running speed but lose time when turning, weaving and re-accelerating. The Illinois Agility Test challenges these qualities in a simple field-based course.
Test name: Illinois Agility Test
Also known as: Illinois agility run, IAT
Purpose: Assess planned agility and change-of-direction performance
What it assesses: Sprinting, turning, weaving, deceleration and re-acceleration
Equipment: Flat surface, eight cones or markers, stopwatch or timing gates
Key finding: Completion time
Best used with: 505 Agility Test, Agility T-Test, sprint testing and lower-limb strength testing
Key limitation: It is pre-planned and does not measure reactive agility
The Illinois Agility Test is a timed agility course using sprinting and cone weaving. The MAT article describes the test as a simple, inexpensive field test requiring a flat surface, eight cones or markers, and a stopwatch or timing gates.
It is used to assess change-of-direction performance and running agility. It can help professionals monitor training response, compare retest performance and observe movement control through turns.
The test measures time to complete a fixed agility course. It reflects acceleration, deceleration, turning, weaving, trunk control and ability to re-accelerate.
It does not directly measure reactive agility, tactical decision-making, injury risk or diagnosis.
It may be useful for field sport athletes, court sport athletes, school fitness testing, tactical groups, general fitness clients and later-stage rehabilitation clients who are ready for running and turning.
Flat, non-slip surface
Eight cones or markers
Tape measure
Stopwatch or timing gates
Measurz or MAT for recording
Set up the cones in the chosen Illinois Agility Test pattern. The MAT article specifies eight cones or markers on a flat surface and notes that the athlete should understand the correct running pattern before testing.
Ask the client to complete a progressive warm-up.
The client starts at the starting line, marked by cone 1.
On “go”, start the timer.
The client sprints to cone 2, placed 10 yards away from cone 1 in the MAT article.
They then weave in and out of the cones in the required serpentine pattern.
The client finishes by sprinting back across the starting line.
Stop the timer when they cross the finish line.
Record time to the nearest tenth of a second.
Repeat the test two to three times, with a few minutes of rest between attempts.
Use the fastest valid time as the score.
The score is completion time. A lower time generally suggests better planned agility performance.
Record movement quality as well as time. A client who cuts the course, knocks cones, slips, loses balance or shows pain-related guarding should have this noted.
Normative values vary by population, layout, surface and timing method. Generic norms should be used cautiously. Client-specific change over time is usually more meaningful.
The MAT article cites literature on agility classifications, reliability, repeated sprint testing and agility determinants in athletes. Reliability depends on accurate course measurement, consistent surface, timing method, footwear, warm-up and clear route instructions.
Sensitivity and specificity are not applicable for routine use. The Illinois Agility Test is a performance test, not a diagnostic test.
Common errors include incorrect cone spacing, unclear course instructions, cutting around cones, timing inconsistency, surface changes and insufficient familiarisation.
The course is known in advance, so this test does not assess reactive decision-making or sport-specific perception.
Use the Illinois Agility Test to monitor agility training, change-of-direction speed, conditioning progress and return-to-running progression. Combine it with sprint tests, strength testing, balance tests and sport-specific drills.
Record completion time, trial number, best score, course layout, surface, footwear, timing method, pain, fatigue, confidence, cone contact, slipping, invalid trials and movement notes.
Agility T-Test
505 Agility Test
Edgren Side Step Test
10 m Sprint
Single Leg Hop Test
Balance testing
Lower-limb strength testing
It measures planned change-of-direction speed through a fixed sprinting and weaving course.
The score is the time taken to complete the course. The MAT article recommends recording to the nearest tenth of a second and using the fastest time across two to three attempts.
No. The route is known before the test, so it measures planned agility rather than reactive agility.
A flat surface, eight cones or markers, and a stopwatch or timing gates are required.
The Illinois Agility Test is a practical planned agility test.
Course setup and route understanding are critical.
Record time and movement quality.
Use it with other performance tests for stronger interpretation.
Chaouachi, A., Brughelli, M., Chamari, K., Levin, G. T., Ben Abdelkrim, N., Laurencelle, L., & Castagna, C. (2009). Lower limb maximal dynamic strength and agility determinants in elite basketball players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(5), 1570–1577.
Sheppard, J. M., & Young, W. B. (2006). Agility literature review: Classifications, training and testing. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(9), 919–932. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410500457109
Young, W., & Dawson, B. (2010). Evaluation of the reliability and validity of a soccer-specific field test of repeated sprint ability. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(1), 125–128.
