Choosing the right hurdles starts with understanding how they will be used.

Competition level, height adjustment, and training type all affect which hurdle best fits a program. Some facilities need regulation equipment for meets, while others also need hurdles designed for drills and athlete development.

UCS offers hurdle options for both training and competition. Understanding the differences between competition, training, and rocker hurdles is the first step in choosing the right equipment for your program.

Hurdle Types for Training and Competition

Each hurdle type serves a different role in a track program. Competition hurdles are built for regulation racing, while training and rocker hurdles give athletes more flexibility for drills and skill development. Many programs use a combination of these options throughout the season.

Competition Hurdles

Competition hurdles are regulation frames used from high school meets through championship events. UCS offers the International Series, including the 3000 Fixed Weight and 3000 Automatic, and the Ultimate Series, including the 5000 with manual weight selection and the 5500 with fully automatic weight selection.

Automatic and weight-select models are World Athletics certified and meet NCAA rules. The five-position frames also accommodate World Athletics, NCAA, and NFHS hurdle heights.

Training Hurdles

Training hurdles are designed for drills, speed work, and athlete development rather than sanctioned racing. UCS Adjustable Training Hurdles come in a set of five and adjust from 6 to 42 inches.

The steel-tubing frames use extruded plastic crossbars and fold flat for storage and transport. Their adjustable design allows coaches to use them for activities ranging from lead-leg drills to plyometric training.

Rocker Hurdles

Rocker hurdles provide another option for athletes developing their hurdling technique. The UCS Welded Rocker Hurdle uses a fixed-weight frame that is legal at all high school heights, but the hurdle rocks forward when an athlete makes contact.

This movement provides a more forgiving training experience for newer hurdlers as they learn to approach and clear the barrier with confidence.

Height and Weight Standards by Level

Competition hurdles need to match the height and weight requirements for the event being run. Programs serving multiple age groups or competition levels should account for both when selecting equipment.

Regulation Hurdle Heights

Five regulation heights are used across standard hurdle events:

• 42 inches (1.067 m) for men's 110-meter high hurdles at the open and collegiate levels

• 39 inches (0.991 m) for high school boys' 110-meter hurdles

• 36 inches (0.914 m) for men's 400-meter hurdles and high school boys' 300-meter hurdles

• 33 inches (0.838 m) for women's 100-meter hurdles at the open and collegiate levels and high school girls' 100-meter hurdles

• 30 inches (0.762 m) for women's 400-meter hurdles and high school girls' 300-meter hurdles

A five-position competition hurdle can accommodate each of these heights, making an adjustable model useful for programs that serve more than one event or age group.

Hurdle Weighting Systems

Height is only one part of setting up a competition hurdle correctly. The hurdle must also provide the tipping resistance required by the applicable competition rules. Under World Athletics rules, the required tipping force stays within the same prescribed range at every hurdle height. Adjustable counterweights are repositioned as the height changes to maintain that resistance, either manually on weight-select models or automatically on automatic models. 

For programs serving multiple events or competition levels, the main decision is whether a fixed, manual, or automatic weighting system best fits how often the hurdles need to be adjusted.

Materials, Durability, and How Many to Buy

Hurdles are moved frequently and take repeated contact throughout training and competition, so construction and durability are important considerations when choosing equipment.

UCS competition hurdles use a custom aluminum profile designed to resist rust and deformation, along with reinforced boards and wide, stable bases. Training hurdles use durable steel tubing. UCS competition models also carry a 10-year guarantee against defective materials and workmanship.

Planning Hurdle Quantity

The number of hurdles a program needs depends on how many lanes will be used at one time. A single practice lane requires ten hurdles for a full flight, while programs running several lanes at once will need enough equipment to support each group without slowing practice.

Facilities that host meets should plan for every competition lane and consider keeping spare boards and holders available.

Care and Storage

Proper storage and routine maintenance can help extend the life of a hurdle set.

Using a dolly makes it easier to move competition hurdles without unnecessary handling. The UCS Gold Series Hurdle Dolly holds up to ten hurdles and is designed for the Ultimate and International Series. Training hurdles can be folded flat for compact storage. Keep all hurdles indoors and dry to protect the finishes and boards.

Replacement parts are also part of long-term maintenance. UCS hurdle boards are designed specifically for UCS hurdles, and boards and holders are excluded from the 10-year guarantee against defective materials and workmanship. Match replacement parts to the correct hurdle model and purchase them through UCS or an authorized dealer, as purchasing and using parts from an unauthorized reseller voids the factory warranty. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Hurdle Heights Meet Competition Standards?

Competition hurdles adjust to five regulation heights: 30, 33, 36, 39, and 42 inches. These positions cover standard high school, collegiate, and open hurdle events for men and women.

What Is the Difference Between Fixed-Weight, Manual, and Automatic Hurdles?

A fixed-weight hurdle is set for its intended level. A manual weight-select model requires the counterweight to be repositioned when the height changes, while an automatic model adjusts the weight as the hurdle is raised or lowered.

Are UCS Hurdles Certified for Competition?

UCS weight-select and automatic hurdle models are World Athletics certified and meet NCAA rules. The five-position frames also accommodate World Athletics, NCAA, and NFHS hurdle heights.

How Many Hurdles Does a Program Need?

The number of hurdles a program needs depends on the events it supports and how many lanes will be used at once. Outdoor 100-meter, 110-meter, and 400-meter hurdle races require ten hurdles per lane, while high school 300-meter races use eight and standard indoor 60-meter races use five. For practice, quantities depend on the drills, group sizes, and lanes in use. Facilities hosting meets should have enough hurdles for every competition lane, with spare hurdles, boards, and holders available. 

Buy Hurdles for the Whole Program

The right hurdle setup should support both the athletes training every day and the level of competition the program serves.

Programs can explore UCS hurdles to compare competition, training, and rocker models based on height adjustment, weighting system, and program needs. UCS is also the exclusive supplier of USATF through 2035.

With the right mix of hurdles, programs can support skill development, daily training, and competition with equipment suited to each level.