YBT Y-Balance Test Kit

Three direction Y-Balance Test kit for testing single leg balance and reach in sport. The athlete stands on one foot on the centre platform and uses the other foot to push a reach indicator as far along each pole as they can control: forward, and back along each diagonal. For the upper body version the athlete holds a push-up position with one hand on the platform and reaches with the other hand. The printed centimetre scale on each pole gives a distance to read and record, so you can compare left and right sides and track change across a season. The scale reads up to 141 cm on the two angled poles and 125 cm on the straight pole, and the kit needs a floor space of 230 x 200 cm. It weighs 6 kg.

To set up, push the poles into the platform with the numbers facing up, then check each one with a tape measure at the 20 cm mark. The Quick Set-up Guide below shows each step, how to run the lower and upper body tests, and the recording sheets, in English and Thai.

Free printable recording sheets for one athlete or a whole squad, and a one page quick reference, are in our Y-Balance Test recording sheets article. For the eight direction floor test, see our Star Excursion Balance Test instructions.

Research on the test
The Y-Balance Test was developed to make the Star Excursion Balance Test easier to repeat. The studies under Related Research used the original Y Balance Test kit, which has the same layout as this one: a stance platform and three poles with reach indicators. In the first study, two testers scored the same athletes almost identically (intraclass correlation 0.99 to 1.00), and one tester's repeat scores agreed well (0.85 to 0.91) (Plisky et al., 2009). A 2019 systematic review of nine studies in healthy adults graded the reliability as excellent, with median values of 0.87 to 0.90 across the three directions (Powden et al., 2019). For the upper body test, repeat scores agreed at 0.80 to 0.99 and two testers at 1.00 (Gorman et al., 2012). A 2021 review found that scores in the two backward directions differ between men and women, and composite scores differ between sports, so compare an athlete with their own earlier results or with norms for the same group (Plisky et al., 2021).

How much space does the Y-Balance Test kit need?

The set-up kit needs a clear floor space of 230 x 200 cm. Use a firm, flat floor that the reach indicators can glide on, and keep the area around the poles clear of people and equipment while testing. The scale on the straight pole reads up to 125 cm, and on the two angled poles up to 141 cm.

Can the kit be used for the upper body Y-Balance Test?

Yes, the same stance platform and poles are used for the upper body test. The athlete holds a push-up position with one hand flat on the platform and the feet no more than about 30 cm apart, as in the published method (Westrick 2012), and reaches with the other hand along each pole. Athletes who cannot hold the push-up position can test from the knees.

How is the Y-Balance Test scored?

Each direction is scored as the best of three reaches divided by limb length, times 100. The composite score is the sum of the three best reaches divided by three times the limb length, times 100 (Plisky 2009). Compare each athlete's right side with their left, and with their own earlier tests. Our free recording sheets lay out the boxes and formulas.

How do I check that the poles are set correctly?

Check with a tape measure: from the red line on the stance platform to the 20 cm mark on each pole should read 20 cm. If it does not, push the pole in or ease it out a little and measure again, then check the other two poles. A grip pad, such as a rubber jar opener, helps with the small turns.

Can I compare kit scores with the floor Star Excursion Balance Test?

No, keep kit scores and floor test scores apart. In 20 active men, anterior reach was further on the floor Star Excursion Balance Test than on the Y-Balance Test kit, while the two back directions did not differ (Coughlan 2012). Retest each athlete on the same set-up every time.

What comes in the box?

The kit has a stance platform, three measuring poles with a printed centimetre scale and three sliding reach indicators, and weighs 6 kg. A tape measure and a grip pad, such as a rubber jar opener, are suggested for setting up but are not included. The Quick Set-up Guide comes in English and Thai.