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Wickets, also called mini or speed hurdles, are short rectangular-shaped training tools. They’re much smaller and more forgiving than the hurdles track athletes race over. Competitive athletes and coaches alike praise them for improving force production, ground contact time, speed, and form, using them in wicket track dills.
As a fifth-year senior at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, Morgan Fuerst liked training with wickets because they’re quick to set up and a simple drill that can help improve running technique. She was introduced to wickets as a 200- and 400-meter sprinter, but still touts the benefits since she’s moved up in distance. Fuerst qualified for the 2021 NCAA Division II track and field outdoor championships in the 1500 meters and the 4 x 400-meter relay.
“Using the wickets helped me reach my desired leg cycle,” she says. “They helped with a higher knee lift and more effective cadence. I felt more confident in my stride come race day and felt I was using my leg cycle more effectively.”
