Agility Focused Camps help young athletes improve in a number of areas, including the broad jump.

BY ED WRIGHT
May 24, 2010, 3:15 p.m.

  As former Division 1 college football players, Jeff Reynolds and Darrell Harding know first-hand what it takes to get to the "next level."

  As fathers of aspiring young athletes, the duo knows what it takes to get kids to get the most out of performance enhancing training.

  Last year, Reynolds and Harding decided to combine their experience and expertise and develop Agility Focused Camps, a company that offers cost-effective, fun and productive training sessions to kids from 6 to 14 years old.

  "We provide drills that are usually not introduced to athletes until high school or later, depending on the kids' backgrounds," said Reynolds, a former defensive back and Western Michigan University. "Each member of the AFC staff has one goal in mind: To help kids build the skills and confidence they need to become better athletes in a positive and fun-loving environment."

  Among the drills AFC Camps participants are trained in are the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, broad jump and vertical jump.

  "We keep things moving at a quick pace - there's not a lot of standing around," said Harding, who played collegiate football at the University of Cincinnati. "The skills these kids learn will help them in all sports, not just football."

  A camp AFC held at High Velocity Sports over spring break was a huge success.

  "We had kids who were in other camps that week coming over and signing up for ours because they saw how much fun the kids were having and how worthwhile it was," said Reynolds.

  Results of the camp are posted on the company's website -- www.AFCamps.com -- a short time after the camps are completed.

  Both Reynolds and Harding have an extensive background in youth sports coaching. Reynolds also coaches track-and-field and football at Plymouth High School.

  AFC's next agility camp will be held June 28-30 from 9 a.m. to noon at High Velocity Sports in Canton. AFC will also host a baseball camp at Precision Baseball on July 1-2.

  For more information, e-mail Reynolds at Walter@afcamps.com or Harding at Darrell@afcamps.com.