The Ultimate Drill for High-Knee Drive
While standard flat agility ladders are fantastic for quick, lateral footwork, they do not train the vertical power required to break through arm tackles in the trenches. Knee high trainers (often called "high step" trainers) solve this by creating a physical barrier. By running through an elevated grid of ropes, players are forced to exaggerate their running form, lifting their knees to chest level. This repetitive, high-resistance drill builds explosive fast-twitch muscle fibers, improves balance, and teaches running backs and linebackers how to keep their feet moving through heavy traffic.
Safety, Durability, and Easy Setup
We stock specifically engineered agility trainers designed to withstand the daily abuse of a massive football roster:
- Elastic Shock Cords & Web Ropes: Old-school high steppers used rigid ropes that caused severe tripping hazards. Our modern trainers from Fisher and Blazer utilize heavy-duty elastic shock cords or highly visible web ropes. If a player catches their toe, the rope safely stretches and gives way, preventing ankle sprains and allowing the drill to continue safely.
- Heavy-Duty Steel & Aluminum Frames: Built to last, these trainers feature wide, tip-resistant bases constructed from durable steel or lightweight aluminum. They will remain completely stable during aggressive team drills without needing to be staked into the ground.
- Adjustable & Collapsible Designs: Practice space and storage are always at a premium. We offer trainers with slip-together frames and collapsible hinges, making it incredibly easy for a single coach to set up the drill on the field and fold it flat for winter storage in the equipment room.
Why Buy Your Practice Equipment From Morley Athletic
Since 1931, Morley Athletic has been a trusted family tradition and a leading supplier of premium coaching aids and field equipment. We understand that outfitting your practice field requires heavy, specialized equipment that eats into your budget. We proudly accept school purchase orders and provide itemized freight quotes to make the purchasing process as smooth as possible. When you shop with Morley Athletic, you are partnering with 95 years of expertise dedicated to helping your program build better athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a knee high trainer and a standard agility ladder?
A standard agility ladder lays flat on the turf and is primarily used to train quick, precise foot placement and fast-twitch lateral speed. A knee high trainer uses an elevated grid (usually 12 to 18 inches off the ground) that forces the athlete to physically lift their legs high into the air on every single step, which builds muscular power and tackling resistance.
2. Is there a tripping hazard if a player gets their foot caught?
Player safety is the priority in modern equipment design. The grids on our trainers are made from elastic shock cords or flexible webbing. If a heavy lineman fails to lift their leg high enough and catches the rope, the cord will simply stretch or breakaway, greatly minimizing the risk of a dangerous fall.
3. Can these trainers be used indoors on a gymnasium floor?
Yes. Because they feature heavy, freestanding bases, they do not need to be anchored into the dirt with metal stakes. This makes them perfectly safe to set up on an indoor turf facility or a wooden gym floor during winter conditioning.
4. What positions benefit most from high-step drills?
While every player on the roster benefits from improved footwork and conditioning, knee high trainers are exceptionally vital for Running Backs (who need high knee drive to break tackles) and Linebackers/Linemen (who need to navigate through the "trash" of fallen bodies at the line of scrimmage without tripping).
5. Do you accept school purchase orders for heavy coaching equipment?
Absolutely. Morley Athletic has worked directly with schools and universities for over nine decades. We happily accept school purchase orders. Head coaches and athletic directors can easily submit a formal PO to purchase knee high trainers, blocking sleds, tackling dummies, and kicking nets for their entire program.
