Starting Blocks and Hurdles

Starting Blocks and Hurdles — Buyer's Guide

Selecting the Right Starting Block for Your Program

Starting blocks differ primarily in pedal adjustability range, foot plate material, and frame construction. The Scholastic Starting Block is the entry point for high school programs — it meets NFHS legal requirements and provides the fundamental adjustability needed for athletes of different size and stance preference. The Competition block steps up in frame rigidity and pedal adjustment precision, making it appropriate for programs where athletes are at a stage of development where fine-tuning block position has a measurable impact on start execution.

The Premier, Elite, and Elite II blocks represent progressively higher specifications in pedal surface area, frame material, and adjustment mechanism quality. These are the appropriate choice for programs with experienced sprinters competing at the invitational and championship level where equipment quality is a meaningful factor. The Ultimate Starting Block is the top specification in the lineup, built for programs that demand professional-grade equipment for their varsity sprint group. The Starting Block Cart provides organized transport and storage for programs managing a full lane set of blocks across multiple practice and competition sessions.

Hurdle Selection by Program Phase

Hurdle selection should match the developmental phase of the athletes using them. The Foam Training Hurdle eliminates the injury risk associated with rigid hurdle frames during early-stage technique work — a foam hurdle that collapses on contact allows beginning hurdlers to focus on takeoff, lead leg drive, and trail leg mechanics without the physical consequence of clipping a rigid bar. This makes foam hurdles the appropriate starting point for middle school programs and beginning high school hurdlers in their first season of technical development.

The Junior Training Hurdle uses a lightweight rigid frame sized for youth and middle school competition dimensions — appropriate for programs hosting age-group competition where NFHS-standard hurdle heights are not required. The PORTaPIT X-Trainer hurdle provides adjustable height settings across multiple positions, making it a versatile option for programs training athletes across different gender divisions and event distances on a single set of hurdles. Programs sourcing hurdles for NFHS-sanctioned high school competition should verify that hurdle specifications meet current height and weight standards for the specific event and gender division before ordering.