About Speed Coaching at The Extra Yard

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Founded by Keith Hutchinson, a Team GB Masters 800m World and U.K. Champion with over 20 years of experience in football and athletics, The Extra Yard specializes in elite athletic sprint training and sport-specific performance coaching. Our mission is straightforward: to provide athletes with that extra yard of pace that can transform their performance on the pitch, track, or court. 

We utilize professional running tracks and sports complexes, applying high-performance methods typically reserved for sprinters to footballers, rugby players, netballers, and athletes across all sports. By integrating speed mechanics, explosive power, and technical skill, we empower athletes to move faster, sharper, and with greater control when it counts the most.

Our elite athletic sprint training programme develops every aspect of speed and athletic movement: 

• Speed Mechanics – perfecting sprinting form, stride length, stride frequency, and body alignment. 

• Explosive Power – incorporating plyometrics, resisted sprints, and strength drills to enhance first-step quickness. 

• Agility & Lateral Movement – focusing on fast direction changes, balance, and reactive footwork for an in-game advantage. 

• Strength & Conditioning – building the power base necessary for maximum velocity and injury prevention. 

• Quickness & Reaction Training – acceleration, deceleration, and reactive drills designed to sharpen game speed. While we operate independently and do not deliver under British Athletics or similar bodies, our training methods are grounded in evidence-based athletic development principles, specifically tailored to enhance speed mechanics, agility, and explosive performance. Our business holds full insurance, DBS certification, up-to-date First Aid and Safeguarding qualifications, and conducts comprehensive risk assessments for every session. We prioritize quality, safety, and impact—offering a trusted, professional service that helps young people excel in their sport-specific performance coaching.

Every session of our elite athletic sprint training program is built on proven sports science and sprint principles, featuring drills specifically adapted for team-sport athletes: 1. Dynamic Warm-Up – mobility, activation, and sprint-specific prep to enhance speed mechanics. 2. Form & Technique Drills – focusing on arm drive, hip projection, body angle, and acceleration mechanics essential for optimal performance. 3. Explosive Speed Work – incorporating short sprints, resisted sprints, and timed acceleration using Freelap gates to maximize speed. 4. Agility & Lateral Work – engaging in cone drills, quick-feet ladders, and reactive change-of-direction drills for comprehensive sport-specific performance coaching. 5. Strength Integration – utilizing trackside resistance and bodyweight exercises to build effective power transfer. 6. Cool Down & Review – featuring active recovery along with performance feedback and tracking to assess progress.

We offer both group and individual coaching tailored to every athlete's needs, focusing on elite athletic sprint training:

• Group Sessions: High-energy, competitive, and fun. Athletes train together, learning speed mechanics and agility while competing against each other in timed drills. Perfect for football squads, rugby clubs, and school teams.

• One-to-One Coaching: Personalised training, tailored programmes, and in-depth video analysis for athletes who want maximum improvement in the shortest time. Ideal for serious performers looking to fine-tune their mechanics and sharpen every detail through sport-specific performance coaching.

Both formats are delivered on running tracks with access to our Freelap electronic timing system and performance tracking — ensuring that progress is measured, visible, and motivating.

• We offer elite athletic sprint training combined with sport-specific performance coaching — the essential link many athletes are missing.

• Sessions are conducted on professional running tracks and top-notch sports facilities.

• With over 40 years of coaching experience, we have worked with footballers, rugby players, sprinters, and multi-sport athletes.

• Our science-led methods are proven to enhance speed mechanics, strength, agility, and reaction time.

• We provide a motivational environment that fosters confidence, discipline, and exceptional performance under pressure.

At The Extra Yard, our goal is not just to make athletes faster; we aim to develop smarter movers, sharper competitors, and true game changers.

The Extra Yard offers elite athletic sprint training and quality speed coaching, along with community sessions across the North of England. 

We train in: 

Hartlepool • Middlesbrough • Durham • Darlington • Newcastle • Manchester • Sheffield 

Each location provides: 

- Expert running coaches specializing in speed mechanics 

- Group and individual training sessions tailored for sport-specific performance coaching 

- Supportive, motivating environments 

Wherever you train with us, you’ll experience the same energy, community, and commitment to help you go the extra yard.

(We complement, not replace, club coaching) Football, rugby, and netball coaches develop players technically, tactically, and mentally. Our role is to support that by focusing on elite athletic sprint training, enhancing the physical tools required to execute skills at the highest level. Club Coaching Focuses On • Technical skills & ball mastery • Tactical understanding & game IQ • Team systems, roles & communication • Strength & conditioning support • Match fitness & resilience The Extra Yard Focuses On • Sprint technique & efficient running mechanics • Acceleration & deceleration mastery • Explosive first-step power & repeat sprint ability • Specialist resistance speed tools (ExerGenie, bands, wickets) • Reactive agility & decision speed • Elastic strength & plyometric power • Speed endurance • Individual movement correction & detail, all tailored for sport-specific performance coaching.

Why That Helps Athletes

• Win first steps & loose balls

• Create & close space faster

• React and change direction instantly

• Move more efficiently and with less fatigue

• Perform explosive actions repeatedly across a match

We focus on elite athletic sprint training, not just coaching the sport. Our goal is to build the physical speed engine behind the athlete, which allows their talent to shine in the game. By mastering speed mechanics, athletes can achieve faster reactions, quicker movements, and improved decision-making. With our sport-specific performance coaching, we believe that speed wins games.