Sprint Drag Carry Standards 2024

The Sprint Drag Carry (SDC) is one of the six events in the United States Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT); it measures a soldier’s physical readiness and functional fitness.

This ACFT event is a stimulation of you carrying a wounded soldier to safety, which requires strength, agility, and speed.

The ACFT Sprint Drag Cary is an overall strength, endurance, and anaerobic test, the fourth of the 6 ACFT events.

This exercise has sprints, sled drag, laterals, kettlebells, and sprint sections.
This exercise aims to execute each shuttle correctly in the shortest time.

Table of Contents show

What is the order of the Sprint Drag Carry Event?

The exercise is divided into three main steps:

Sprint: A sprint (running) – Involves running to get the blood flowing.
Drag: Dragging a weight or object for 20 yards
Carry: Carrying an object, e.g., a medicine ball, for 10 yards

ACFT Sprint Drag Carry Standards 2024

The ACFT Sprint Drag Carry Standards by age and gender are as follows:

The maximum score you can get in the sprint drag carry is 100 points.
The minimum score you need to pass the ACFT sprint drag carry is 60 points.
Use the New ACFT Score Chart as a reference for this.

To score these points, a soldier must finish the event in the minimum time required for their age and gender; this ranges from 1 minute and 33 seconds to 2 minutes and 9 seconds.

The soldier must complete the event in the minimum time required for their age and gender group.
Your score will be recorded in the ACFT Scorecard.

The Sprint Drag Carry maximum and minimum scores by age and gender are as follows:

Male Sprint Drag Carry Standards and Scores

Age Range	Maximum Points (100)	Minimum Points (60)
17-21	01:29	02:28
22-26	01:30	02:31
27-31	01:30	02:32
32-36	01:33	02:36
37-41	01:36	02:41
42-46	01:40	02:45
47-51	01:45	02:53
52-56	01:52	03:00
57-61	01:58	03:12
Over 62	02:09	03:16

Female Sprint Drag Carry Standards and Scores

Age Range	Maximum Points (100)	Minimum Points (60)
17-21	01:55	03:15
22-26	01:55	03:15
27-31	01:55	03:15
32-36	01:59	03:22
37-41	02:02	03:27
42-46	02:09	03:42
47-51	02:11	03:51
52-56	02:18	04:03
57-61	02:26	04:48
Over 62	02:26	04:48

ACFT Equipment

The ACFT Sprint Drag Carry requires the following equipment:

Lane Lines – These are for marking 25-meter lanes to perform the SDC.
Cones—These 25-meter-apart cones are important for marking the start, turn-around, and finish points for the sprint darg carry event.
Stopwatch – You need a stopwatch to time the event; the army allows a maximum of 5 minutes to complete the SDC event
90 90-pound sled – You will drag the ACFT for 25 meters out and back.
Two 40 40-pound kettlebells: You will use the kettlebells in the ‘carry’ portion of this exercise; you will carry one kettlebell in each hand 25 meters out and back.

How to do the ACFT Sprint Drag Carry

Before starting the Sprint Drag Carry Event, you can arrange the sled handles and kettlebells anywhere behind the start line.

Starting Position:

On the command of “get set,” you should assume a prone position, with your hands flat on the ground and your head positioned behind the start line.

Movement

Sprint: The soldier starts from the prone position, and upon the command “GO,” they stand and sprint 25 meters down a lane, touching on or beyond the 25-meter line with their hand and foot before turning and sprinting back to the start line.
Drag: The soldier then grasps two handles of a 90-pound sled and moves backward as quickly as possible for 25 meters until both their entire body and the sled cross the 25-meter line, and then turns and drags the sled backward to the start line.
Lateral: After the sled drag, the soldier moves laterally down the lane to the 25-meter line and back to the start. The soldier must touch the line with the right hand on the right side and the left hand on the left.
Carry: The soldier then picks up two 40-pound kettlebells and runs down the 25-meter line. After stepping on or over the 25-meter line with one foot, the soldier turns and runs back to the start line.
Sprint: The soldier then places (does not drop) the kettlebells on the ground beyond the start line, and the soldier turns and sprints back to the 25-meter line. After touching on or past the 25-meter line with their hand and foot, the soldier turns once again and sprints back to the start line.

Timing for this event is concluded when the soldier crosses the finish line.

Note!!!

Whenever you cross 25 meters, you want to ensure that your entire body and the sled cross that 25-meter mark.
A grader will be down at the end of the lane to let you know whenever that sled passes the 25-meter mark.
At any time, if you do not cross the line or if you don’t cross hand and foot when you’re sprinting down, the grader can call you back.
So you want to make sure you’re crossing the line each time. That way, you don’t get called back because it will count toward your overall time.
There are no retakes in the Sprint Drag Carry, so you get whatever you get when you return to the line.

How Max You Sprint Drag Carry Score

Below are some training tips to help you max your sprint drag carry scores:

Whenever you’re getting ready for the Sprint Drag Carry, you, as the soldier, are responsible for setting up your lane as you want it.

The Grader does not have to do that for you. It’s an option for them if they want to. But how you set up your lane is entirely up to you.

I like to split my lanes into three.

I like to start in the middle in the prone position before starting my sprint.
With my sled, I have it positioned to where all I have to do is bend down whenever I cross the line, pick up the sled, and start dragging it backward.
When I start doing my lateral, I like to lateral down and come down the same side of the lane my kettlebells are on.
When I start my lateral, I choose the same side of the lane where my kettlebells are, cutting out about a second or two, which is significant for a great ACFT score.
My max is 141 for the sprint drag carry, and I have yet to max it out.

Sprint

The first event is the sprint.
To practice getting up from the prone position and sprinting down 25 meters and 25 meters back, I tell my soldiers to do 30 60s or 60 120s.
30-60 sprints are much better as they allow you to sprint faster for a shorter period.

90-pound Sled Drag

The next event is the 90-pound sled drag.
Now, with the sled drag, it’s really hard to practice without having a sled and dragging it.
This requires raw strength and should be practiced in a suitable facility.
I like to tell my soldiers to focus on their legs and their leg strength.
Deadlifts in the gym will also greatly help you with the drag.
The technique is important; I prefer my feet to be shoulder-width apart and backpedal using my body weight and legs.

Lateral Shuffle

The third event is the shuttle, a lateral shuffle.
This is an opportunity to recover after the demanding drag.
You just finished the drag, so your body will naturally be tired.
Use this time during your side laterals to decrease your heart rate.
And that’s why 30–60 Sprints are so important because, during each iteration of sprints, you can focus on getting that heart rate back down.
Make sure your feet don’t cross each other, and then you’re crossing the line with both hands and feet.

40-pound kettlebells

The fourth event is carrying 40-pound kettlebells.
If you don’t have kettlebells during your PT sessions, you can use water jug carriers to practice.
I usually focus on my endurance and grip strength for this exercise.
Your legs will be tired at this point, so bear this in mind during the kettlebell carry.
Once you set your kettlebells down at the start point, the sprint is the only thing you have left.

Sprint

Finally, you end with the sprint.
Now, with the sprint, you will naturally be fatigued again.
Make sure you set the kettlebells down under control, or else the Grader might make you come back and set up those kettlebells.
You will be tired, but you can make up significant time here.
Giving it your all can shave three to 4 seconds off your final time.

Sprint Drag Carry Training

A targeted approach is important when preparing for the ACFT Sprint Drag Carry event.

This event tests your power, agility, strength, and speed, which are important training aspects.

I have developed a training plan focusing on these four aspects, which has significantly and consistently helped me ace and max out my scores in the sprint drag carry.

The following is my training program:

Weighted Drags

I usually simulate the 90-pound sled drag using weighted sled drags or straps on a weighted vest or backpack, and this has significantly strengthened my core and lower body muscles using this approach.

Power and Resistance Training

I have incorporated deadlifts, lunges, squats, and power cleans into my training regime to develop my lower body and core strength; I have added pull-ups and rows to improve my upper body strength.

Sprints

Sprints are cardio exercises; I have added 50-meter sprints into my workout routine to enhance my speed and cardio.
These high-intensity runs have consistently helped me in the 25-meter sprint.

Kettlebell Weights

I have incorporated farmer’s walk into my training; this simulates carrying kettlebells in ACFT Sprint Drag carry.
I noticed that farmer’s walks had improved my grip strength and enhanced my endurance, which is essential in ACFT.

Agility Drills

The sprint drag carry has lateral movements as part of its components.
I have added ladders, cones, and shuttle drills to enhance my agility and responsiveness during the SDC event.

Endurance Training

I incorporate long-distance running or rowing into my routine to enhance my cardiovascular endurance, which has helped me maintain a steady pace during the SDC.

Muscles Worked

The following muscles are worked during the sprint drag carry ACFT event:

Leg Muscles:

These are the hamstrings, calves, and quadriceps.
You will work these muscles when sprinting and making lateral movements.

Core Muscles:

These are the lower back muscles and abdominal muscles.
You will use these muscles for stability and power transfer in all your movements, particularly the “drag” and “carry” parts of the exercise.

Upper Body Muscles:

These are the upper back, shoulders, and arm muscles.
You will work these muscles in the “drag” & “carry” parts of the SDC.

Benefits of Sprint Drag Carry Exercise

The following are the benefits of the ACFT Sprint Drag Carry exercise:

Muscular Strength and Endurance

This exercise will build muscular strength and enhance endurance, particularly in the upper body, legs, and core.

Anaerobic Fitness

The Sprint drag carry workout will improve your anaerobic fitness (ability to work without oxygen).
Enhanced aerobic fitness is essential for short and intense activities such as printing and lifting heavy objects.

Increased Power Output

Increased power output means you can exert maximum force over short periods due to dragging the sled and carrying kettlebells quickly in the event’s “drag” and “carry” portions.

Improved Agility and Coordination

The SDC has a section for lateral movements. These movements significantly enhance agility and coordination, which is an essential skill for other physical fitness activities.

Conclusion

This article should help you better understand the ACFT Sprint Drag Carry. I aim to max out this event, needing to shave off 8 seconds to achieve it.

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George N.

George N. is the founder of ArmyPRT.com. While he never actually served in the United States Army, he has a passion for writing about military-related topics.

Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights

George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.