Illinois Agility Test

[Andrewc]

As a couple of people here may be aware I've begun to take steps towards becoming a police officer. Personal opinions about law enforcement aside, I figure this could be a reasonable place to get some tips and advice on preparing for this part of the fitness test.

One of the fitness tests is to complete the Illinois Agility Test. The required goal is to complete this course in under 20 seconds. Obviously this will be made easier with specific training, but my question is;
A) Has any body here trained or used this course before and have any specific preparation tips?
B) Is this a reasonably achievable target?
C) From a cardiovascular/fitness perspective I'm currently playing basketball (sprints) twice per week, and cycling 15kms most days on a single geared bike. Will beep test/shuttle run style sprints also be a good supplementary exercise for this?

This is the course as provided by the police.

[Fallen_Horse]

Not to be too blunt, but unless Illinois cops are different than cops in other states, I don't think that test can be TOO hard.

[Konstantin]

Looking at your training and level of fitness, if cops get through, I can only assume you will. But if you have any doubts, why not try the test on your own? It seems like it would be easy enough to set it up and as long as you can time it, you'll have a pretty good idea of how achievable it actually is.

I would guess that people who would struggle to complete that would be overweight or have trouble moving on their feet due to some injury. If you play basketball and therefore can change direction, I would guess that you'll be fine. Other than that there may be a little bit of technique to learn on some of the changes in direction.

[Talyn]

That looks really interesting.

I think your basketball training and running a beep test would be sufficient, you'd mainly want to practice your dead stop/180's. The thing that first sprung to my mind when seeing the circles was squash...

I can't give you any specific advice for it though, other than if you're concerned about your time on it go comandeer a basketball court, set up a makeshift test yourself and see how you go.

[Andrewc]

Cheers. I plan to routinely practice the course, I think I'll focus on shaving time by making efficient turns and changing direction, I guess it is an AGILITY test as well as speed.

[vegan hal]

don't think you'll have a problem. the funny thing about this, is at least in the states, when training to be a PO, you have to be super fit, but as soon as they get the gig, they spend they're time in the doughnut shops and the belt and pants are ready to expand. haha. just kidding, not all cops.

good luck. be one of the good ones.

[runrevolt]

Cops are sworn to protect animal abusers. I hope you fail the test.

[Andrewc]

don't think you'll have a problem. the funny thing about this, is at least in the states, when training to be a PO, you have to be super fit, but as soon as they get the gig, they spend they're time in the doughnut shops and the belt and pants are ready to expand. haha. just kidding, not all cops.

good luck. be one of the good ones.

Haha. I can see that in a number of cops here, if they're not fat they're much like the officers I know who are all quite skinny and weak. Although your fitness is supposedly retested twice per year.

[Goob]

I remember a news story years ago about a police cheof that lost his job because he sent out an email that said something like "we didn't hire you unfit, so we don't want you unfit now" and gave advice to get back in shape. I don't remember the whole story, but some tubby bastard complained and he lost his job over it.

[baldy]

Cheers. I plan to routinely practice the course, I think I'll focus on shaving time by making efficient turns and changing direction, I guess it is an AGILITY test as well as speed.

I remember a similar test they used for NFL, from the movie strong by Joe DeFranco Strong. Something about starting with the correct leg forward saving a few seconds. Based on that I guess there is lots of technical stuff that can be done to get a faster time.

How does the test work is it pass fail or does getting a better time count?

[Andrewc]

Excellent recommendation. I'm required to achieve a sub 20 second score. Online standards about this course indicate this will be easy but I won't take it too passively. I've passed all of my exams and advanced through the selection process, so I'll pick up some cones and start training specifically for this.

[KjKranz]

Good luck dude, although I don't think you'll need it

[crapiecorn]

How do they feel about visible tattoo's ? Here in Belgium it's a valid reason to reject a candidate.

[Andrewc]

Thanks.

I thankfully have a good relationship with an ex girlfriend's family, and her elder brother happens to be a high ranking police officer here. He tells me my tattoos will be fine, at worst I'll just have to wear a long sleeve shirt. I have a couple of small tattoos on each side of my neck which I'll have removed via laser if necessary.

[knackers]

Hey Andrew, good luck with the new career. I train self defence with some folks who are just about to enter the acadamy over the next couple of intakes. How do you feel about the shift roster? Ive been lookin into it myself but have been holding back due to the paycut