What is a common technique to improve agility in athletes?

Ladder drills are a common technique used to improve agility in athletes because they focus directly on enhancing coordination, foot speed, and quickness. This training method involves a series of repetitive movements through a ladder placed on the ground, promoting agility by requiring rapid foot movements and changes in direction. The drills encourage the development of neuromuscular connections, thereby improving an athlete’s ability to change direction swiftly and maintain balance during dynamic movements.

In contrast, while stretching is important for flexibility and can be beneficial in injury prevention, it does not specifically train agility. Endurance running primarily develops cardiovascular fitness and stamina rather than agility, and weight lifting focuses on building muscle strength and power, which, while important, does not directly translate to quickness and directional changes that are essential to agility. Therefore, ladder drills stand out as the most effective method for improving agility among the options presented.