Speed and Agility Training for Kids in Collierville
Speed and agility training teaches kids to accelerate, run tall, change direction and stop under control. It works best when a coach teaches technique first and adds speed only after the athlete shows good mechanics. This guide explains what speed and agility training for kids is, what a good program teaches and what to ask before you book in Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett or Arlington.
Key Takeaways
Speed is a skill. Technique for starting, running tall and changing direction can be coached at any age.
Agility is more than quick feet. It is the ability to start, stop and change direction with control.
Strength comes first. Squat, press and hinge strength sits underneath jumping, cutting and landing.
Technique before speed. Speed is added only after an athlete shows the movement properly.
Small, coach-led groups. Every rep gets seen and corrected in the moment.
Open to ages 7 to 18. Beginners and experienced athletes both start on the same footing.
Speed and agility passes are booked on their own. They are separate from the youth program.
Start with a ten-minute call. A coach asks what your athlete plays and what they want to work toward.
What do speed and agility actually mean?
Parents often use the two words together, but they describe different things.
Speed: how quickly an athlete can accelerate and how fast they can run in a straight line.
Agility: how well an athlete can start, stop and change direction while staying in control.
Most youth sports reward both. A soccer player cuts around a defender. A basketball player stops hard and goes the other way. A football player accelerates off the line. None of that is only about leg speed. It is also about posture, balance and force.
Why does strength come before speed?
It is tempting to start with cones and ladders. We start with strength and control instead. Every athlete at The Performance Center first learns the squat, the press and the hinge, because the squat underpins jumping, cutting and landing, and the hinge is where power comes from. Our guide to youth strength training explains the on-ramp, and our guide to a child's first class shows what the first sessions look like.
What are the four parts of speed and agility work?
Accelerating: getting from a standstill to speed with a strong, low first few steps.
Running tall: keeping posture and arm swing efficient once the athlete is moving fast.
Changing direction: planting, turning and pushing off without losing balance.
Slowing down: stopping and landing under control. Athletes who can brake well can also move faster, because they trust their footing.
What should you look for in a speed and agility program?
Whichever gym you choose, ask these questions:
Is a qualified coach watching every athlete, not only running the clock?
Is technique taught before speed or weight is added?
Is there a warm-up and a cool-down?
Are groups small enough for the coach to correct form?
Is progress tracked against clear milestones?
Are the coaches certified? Meet them on our team page before you commit.
Is there a clear way to get help if something hurts?
Which option fits your athlete?
If your athlete is a complete beginner
Start with the on-ramp. Everyone begins on the same footing, so no one is behind.
If your athlete is already fast
Speed alone does not prove good mechanics. The on-ramp applies to fast and strong athletes too, and it protects them as intensity goes up.
If your athlete is nervous
1:1 Personal training is built around one athlete and works well as a first step for a nervous beginner.
Frequently asked questions
What ages is speed and agility training for?
The Performance Center trains athletes ages 7 to 18 at all fitness levels. Speed and agility passes are booked on their own, separate from the youth program.
Does my child need to be fast already?
No. Speed and agility are skills, and skills are coached. Athletes start where they are, and coaches scale each movement to the athlete in front of them.
Is speed training safe for kids?
It is when the work matches the athlete and a coach is watching. Technique comes before speed, and intensity is added only when the athlete shows the movement properly.
Are speed and agility passes separate from the youth program?
Yes. At The Performance Center, speed and agility passes and team sessions are booked on their own. A ten-minute call with a coach is the quickest way to find out which option fits your athlete.
How long until we see results?
It varies from athlete to athlete, so no timeline is promised. What parents can see is progress against clear milestones: athletes clear 11 of 15 checkpoints across gymnastics, strength and conditioning to advance a tier.
About The Performance Center
The Performance Center is a private training space at 632 W Poplar Ave in Collierville, Tennessee, for athletes ages 7 to 18, serving families in Germantown, Bartlett and Arlington. We share our building with Pittman Physical Therapy. Book a ten-minute call and a coach will ask what your athlete plays, what they want to work toward and what has not worked before.
