How to Make Agility Hurdles

Agility hurdles are an important part of sport-specific conditioning. Using them regularly can make the difference between a good athlete and an excellent athlete. Hurdles can be used to master forward, backward and lateral movements with increasing speed. To make them yourself at home, all you need is pipe, a pipe cutter and pipe fittings. These hurdles will be as sturdy as any on sale at a sporting goods store.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 inch PVC pipe
  • Pipe cutter
  • PVC pipe elbow connectors
  • PVC T fittings
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Instructions

    • 1

      Assess the athlete's current forward, backward and lateral jumping abilities, depending on the exercises she will be using the hurdles for. Have the athlete jump over cones of varying heights and measure her maximum jumping height in every direction. Most professionally made hurdles start out at a minimum height of 6 inches.

    • 2

      Cut the 1/2 inch PVC pipe to length for the hurdle legs. If you want a hurdle that is 6 inches high, cut two pieces of pipe that are 6 inches in length.

    • 3

      Cut the top pipe of the hurdle. This top pipe should be approximately 18 inches long. You may want to adjust the length of the top pipe depending on the exercises the hurdle will be used for.

    • 4

      Attach two PVC elbow fittings to the top pipe at either end. The elbow fittings will curl downward in a "U" shape. Attach the legs of the hurdle to the elbow fittings.

    • 5

      Cut four equal PVC pipe pieces for the bottom supports. Make each bottom support half the length of the legs. If your legs are 12 inches high, cut four bottom supports to 6 inches each.

    • 6

      Attach T fittings to both hurdle legs. A T fitting has one connection for the legs of the hurdle and two connections that run parallel for the bottom supports.

    • 7

      Fit the bottom supports into the two connections on the T fittings on both hurdle legs. Stand the hurdle up and test it for stability.