6 Best Hurdles For Track And Field Practice That Build Proper Form

Your child comes home from track practice, buzzing with excitement about a new event: the hurdles. You see the spark in their eye and want to support that new passion, but a quick search for practice hurdles leaves you staring at a dozen different models with confusing names and prices. How do you choose the right equipment to help them learn safely without investing in something they’ll outgrow—or lose interest in—by next season?

Why Proper Hurdle Form Matters for Young Athletes

When your child starts hurdling, it’s tempting to think it’s just about jumping over a barrier. But hurdling is a complex dance of rhythm, speed, and technique. Proper form, learned early, is the foundation for everything that follows. It’s what separates a fluid, fast race from a clumsy, and potentially dangerous, one.

Think of it like learning to write. You wouldn’t hand a five-year-old a calligraphy pen; you’d start with a chunky crayon to develop basic motor control. Similarly, young hurdlers need equipment that helps them learn the correct movements—the lead leg "snap," the trail leg "pull-through," and maintaining momentum—without being intimidated by a heavy, unforgiving obstacle.

Good habits built now will prevent frustrating plateaus and reduce the risk of injury later on. The right practice hurdle isn’t just a piece of equipment; it’s a teaching tool that grooves the right muscle memory. It allows them to fail safely, repeat drills confidently, and turn a complex skill into second nature.

Gill Athletics Pacer FXV for High School Teams

You see your high schooler’s commitment. They’re spending weekends at meets, talking about qualifying times, and maybe even dreaming of competing in college. This is the moment when investing in a competition-grade hurdle like the Gill Athletics Pacer FXV starts to make sense. This isn’t a beginner’s tool; it’s a serious piece of equipment built for a serious athlete.

The Pacer FXV is what your child will likely encounter at a sanctioned high school meet. It’s made of durable aluminum, features a weighted base for stability, and adjusts precisely to official heights. Practicing on this type of hurdle removes any surprises on race day. Your athlete will be accustomed to its weight, its tipping point, and its overall feel, giving them a significant mental and physical advantage.

This is a long-term investment. It’s the kind of hurdle that can be passed down to a younger sibling or hold its resale value within the local track community. If your athlete is truly dedicated to the sport and has moved beyond developmental drills, the Pacer FXV provides the most authentic practice experience possible. It’s about matching their high level of commitment with equipment that can keep up.

Stackhouse Canted Leg for Serious Youth Training

Your middle schooler has survived their first season and is officially hooked on hurdling. They’ve moved past basic drills and now need to work on their speed and aggression over the barrier. The Stackhouse Canted Leg hurdle is the perfect bridge between beginner equipment and elite competition models.

Its key feature is the "canted" or angled leg design, which provides excellent stability while also allowing the hurdle to tip over easily in one direction when struck. This design is a huge confidence booster. It teaches the athlete not to fear the hurdle, encouraging them to attack it with the proper form instead of stutter-stepping or jumping too high.

This hurdle offers a more realistic feel than foam or flexible models, preparing a developing athlete for the rigid barriers they’ll face in meets. It’s a durable, well-built option that can handle the repetitive use of a dedicated youth athlete. It’s the right choice when you know the interest is real and you need equipment that supports a more advanced level of training.

Champion Rhino Flex Hurdle for Safe Form Drills

Is your young athlete hesitant, maybe even a little scared, of hitting the hurdle? This is incredibly common, especially for beginners who are still figuring out the complex coordination required. The Champion Rhino Flex Hurdle is designed specifically to solve this problem by building confidence through safe repetition.

The magic of the Rhino Flex is its flexible, padded crossbar. When an athlete’s leg hits it, it gives way softly instead of clattering to the ground. This simple feature removes the fear of pain and the startling noise of a tipped hurdle, which are two of the biggest mental blocks for new hurdlers. It allows them to focus purely on their form without flinching.

This hurdle is an exceptional tool for drills. Because the fear factor is gone, a coach or parent can have the athlete perform dozens of repetitions to master the lead and trail leg movements. It’s the perfect first "real" hurdle for a late elementary or middle school athlete just starting out, ensuring their initial experiences are positive and productive.

SKLZ Speed Hurdles for Agility and Plyometrics

Hurdling success isn’t just about what happens over the barrier; it’s about the speed, power, and coordination generated between them. That’s where agility hurdles, like the ones from SKLZ, come in. These small, lightweight hurdles (usually 6 to 12 inches high) are not for practicing clearance, but for building the foundational athleticism every hurdler needs.

Think of these as tools for "fast feet" drills. Athletes use them for plyometric exercises—explosive movements like hops and bounds—that build power in their legs. They also use them for drills that improve stride frequency and coordination, helping them master the critical three-step rhythm between hurdles. This kind of training is what creates a fast, efficient hurdler.

The beauty of SKLZ Speed Hurdles is their versatility and affordability. They are a fantastic investment for any young athlete, not just hurdlers. A soccer player can use them for footwork, a basketball player for agility, and a sprinter for improving their knee drive. They are a multi-sport, multi-season tool that supports overall athletic development.

First Place Adjust-a-Hurdle for All Age Groups

You have a 10-year-old just starting track and a 13-year-old who is getting more serious. Or maybe you just want a single piece of equipment that can grow with your child over several seasons. The First Place Adjust-a-Hurdle is the practical, do-it-all solution for families looking for maximum versatility.

This hurdle’s primary strength is its wide range of height settings. It can be set as low as 12 inches for beginner form drills and can be raised in increments all the way up to official heights for youth competition. This adaptability means you can use the same hurdle to teach the absolute basics and then continue to use it as your athlete grows taller, stronger, and more skilled.

Made from lightweight PVC, it’s easy to set up, move, and store, which is a huge plus for backyard practice sessions. While it doesn’t have the weight or feel of a competition hurdle, it provides an excellent framework for learning proper technique across multiple developmental stages. For parents who want to make a single, smart purchase that will last for years, this is a top contender.

Port a Pit L-Shaped for Competition Simulation

As your athlete gets closer to competing regularly, the small details of their practice equipment start to matter more. The Port a Pit L-Shaped hurdle is designed to mimic one of the most important features of a competition hurdle: the base. Its L-shaped legs mean there is no bottom bar stretching across the lane.

Why does this matter? It allows an athlete to practice running through the hurdle with proper trail-leg form without worrying about tripping on a base bar. This design more accurately simulates the environment of a real race, helping them get comfortable with the foot placement and body angles needed on meet day.

This hurdle strikes a great balance between the stability of a metal frame and the lighter weight of a training model. It’s a significant step up from basic PVC hurdles and is ideal for the middle school or junior high athlete who is starting to compete. It helps bridge the gap between introductory drills and the feel of a real track meet.

Matching Hurdle Type to Your Athlete’s Goals

Choosing the right hurdle comes down to matching the equipment to your child’s current stage and future ambitions. There is no single "best" hurdle, only the best one for your athlete right now. Think about their journey in phases.

Here’s a simple framework to guide your decision:

• The Curious Beginner (Ages 10-13): The goal here is safety, confidence, and fun. You want a hurdle that removes fear and encourages repetition.
  • Top Choices: Champion Rhino Flex Hurdle, First Place Adjust-a-Hurdle.
• The Developing Competitor (Ages 13-15): They are committed and need to practice with equipment that feels more like what they see at meets. Realism and durability become more important.
  • Top Choices: Stackhouse Canted Leg, Port a Pit L-Shaped.
• The Committed Varsity Athlete (Ages 15+): Practice needs to be as close to competition as possible. This is a long-term investment in their performance.
  • Top Choice: Gill Athletics Pacer FXV.
• The Foundational Athlete (Any Age): Every hurdler needs a base of speed and power. This equipment is for building the engine, not just practicing the technique.
  • Top Choice: SKLZ Speed Hurdles.

Ultimately, your goal is to provide a tool that helps them improve safely and builds their love for the sport. Don’t feel pressured to buy a professional-grade hurdle for a child who is still exploring. Start with what they need now, and you can always upgrade if their passion and skill continue to grow.

Remember, the best piece of equipment is the one that gets used. Your support and encouragement are far more valuable than any specific brand of hurdle. By choosing a tool that matches their developmental stage, you’re not just buying a piece of plastic or metal; you’re investing in their confidence, safety, and long-term enjoyment of a challenging and rewarding sport.