When shopping for track and field hurdles, you’ll come across two common designs: L-shaped hurdles and rocker hurdles. Both are built for competition, both are designed to tip when contacted by an athlete, and both are available with adjustable hurdle heights.
But they don’t work the same way.
The biggest difference is in the base design and how each hurdle responds when an athlete makes contact. L-shaped hurdles use a traditional frame with a weighted base, while rocker hurdles use a curved base that allows the hurdle to tip forward and return to its upright position.
For coaches, athletic directors, and facility managers, understanding these differences can help when selecting equipment for a high school, college, or other athletic facility.
Sportsfield Specialties manufactures both styles, with several models and configurations to choose from. Here’s what you should know before deciding which type of hurdle is right for your program.
What Is an L-Shaped Track Hurdle?
An L-shaped track hurdle gets its name from the shape of its frame. When viewed from the side, the vertical support and horizontal ground bar form an L.
The horizontal base provides support and stability, while its internal weights help control how the hurdle responds when contacted by an athlete.
Like other competition hurdles, an L-shaped hurdle must be able to tip forward when struck. Its weight and balance play an important role in meeting the required tip-over specifications.
What makes L-shaped hurdles different?
One advantage of the L-shaped design is the range of models and counterweight configurations available.
Sportsfield Specialties manufactures L-shaped hurdles for high school, collegiate, and national-level programs. Depending on the model, customers can select fixed, free-sliding, or adjustable counterweight configurations.
All models feature aluminum construction, adjustable hurdle heights, and powder-coated gate tubes. Custom gateboard lettering and graphics are also available.
This range gives programs several options when selecting hurdles for their competition requirements and equipment preferences.
What Is a Rocker Track Hurdle?
A rocker track hurdle uses a different approach to its base design.
Instead of the traditional L-shaped ground bar, it features a curved, rocker-style base. When an athlete contacts the hurdle, the frame rocks forward. Its balanced design then allows it to return to its original upright position.
This is the defining feature of a rocker hurdle.
Rather than simply tipping forward and remaining down, the rocker design is built to reset itself after contact. This can be useful during practices and competitions when hurdles are contacted repeatedly.
Both models meet tip-over requirements at all five height settings and meet and/or exceed applicable NFHS specifications.
The rocker design offers another option for programs looking for competition hurdles with a self-returning frame.
L-Shaped vs. Rocker Hurdles: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Both hurdle styles are designed to meet competition requirements, but their frame designs and available configurations are different.
| Feature | L-Shaped Hurdles | Rocker Hurdles |
|---|---|---|
| Frame design | Traditional L-shaped frame | Curved rocker-style base |
| Response to contact | Designed to tip forward | Rocks forward and returns upright |
| Construction | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Counterweight options | Fixed, free-sliding, or adjustable, depending on model | Fixed internal weighted ground bars and weighted back bar |
| Height adjustment | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Product lineup | High school, collegiate, and national models | High school and advanced high school models |
| Hurdle widths/heights | 41-inch and 47-inch model options | 41-inch models |
| Gate tube finish | Powder coated | Powder coated |
| Custom gateboard graphics | Available | Available |
The biggest distinction is how the hurdle responds after contact. The L-shaped design uses a traditional weighted frame, while the rocker design is built to tip forward and return to its upright position.
Neither style should be considered automatically better. The right choice depends on the model, competition requirements, and preferences of your track program.
Why Do Hurdle Counterweights Matter?
Counterweights are an important part of competition hurdle design. They help control how much force is needed to tip a hurdle when an athlete makes contact.
A hurdle must be stable enough to remain upright during normal use but also meet the required tip-over specifications.
The placement and configuration of the weights affect the hurdle’s balance and tipping characteristics.
This is one area where Sportsfield’s L-shaped and rocker product lines offer different choices.
L-shaped hurdle counterweights
Sportsfield’s L-shaped lineup includes several counterweight configurations:
- Fixed counterweights on the HLHS41.
- Free-sliding counterweights on the HLCOL41 and HLNAT41.
- Adjustable counterweights on the HLCOL47 and HLNAT47.
These options give schools and athletic programs different configurations to consider when selecting a hurdle.
Rocker hurdle counterweights
Sportsfield’s rocker hurdles use fixed internal weighted ground bars and a weighted back bar.
These weights work with the curved base to create the balance needed for the hurdle to tip forward and return to its upright position.
When comparing hurdles, don’t look at the frame shape alone. The counterweight design is another important part of the equipment’s overall performance.
How Do You Choose Between L-Shaped and Rocker Hurdles?
For many programs, the decision comes down to the type of hurdle they prefer and the specific requirements of their competition program.
Here are a few questions to consider.
1. What level of competition will the hurdles be used for?
Start with your program’s competition requirements.
Sportsfield offers L-shaped hurdles for high school, collegiate, and national-level programs. Its rocker lineup includes high school and advanced high school models.
Check the specifications for the events and governing bodies that apply to your facility before making a selection.
2. Do you prefer a traditional or self-returning design?
This is one of the clearest differences between the two styles.
L-shaped hurdles use a traditional frame and weighted base. Rocker hurdles use a curved base that allows them to return to their upright position after being contacted.
Consider which design best fits your program’s equipment preferences and how you plan to use the hurdles.
3. Which height and counterweight configurations do you need?
Not all hurdles offer the same configurations.
If you need a particular hurdle height or counterweight arrangement, compare the individual product models rather than assuming every hurdle in a product family is the same.
This is especially important when selecting collegiate or national-level L-shaped hurdles.
4. Are you purchasing new equipment or replacing an existing inventory?
If you’re replacing older hurdles, look at the equipment you already own. Consider the hurdle style, height settings, and counterweight configurations your coaches and athletes are familiar with.
If you’re outfitting a new facility, you have an opportunity to evaluate both designs before making a decision.
Don’t Forget About Hurdle Transportation and Storage
Selecting the right hurdles is only part of outfitting a track and field program. You also need a practical way to move and store them.
Hurdles are used in large quantities during practices and competitions. Moving them individually can take extra time for coaches and event staff, especially when preparing several lanes.
Sportsfield Specialties offers dedicated hurdle carts to help with transportation and storage.
The HLRCRT Universal Hurdle Cart accommodates up to 10 L-shaped or rocker hurdles. Sportsfield also offers carts designed specifically for 41-inch and 47-inch L-shaped hurdles.
Optional all-weather covers are available for additional protection during storage.
Planning for carts and storage when purchasing new hurdles can help make equipment handling easier throughout the season.
Find the Right Track Hurdles for Your Program
L-shaped and rocker track hurdles serve the same basic purpose, but their designs offer different features and options.
L-shaped hurdles provide a traditional frame design with several counterweight configurations and models for high school, collegiate, and national-level programs.
Rocker hurdles feature a curved base that allows the hurdle to tip forward and return to its upright position. They offer another option for programs looking for a self-returning hurdle design.
Both styles feature lightweight aluminum construction, adjustable heights, and competition-ready specifications.
Sportsfield Specialties manufactures a complete line of L-shaped and rocker track hurdles, along with hurdle carts and accessories to support your facility.
Need help selecting hurdles for your school, college, or athletic facility? Explore Sportsfield Specialties’ L-Shaped and Rocker Track Hurdles or contact the team to discuss your equipment needs.
