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15 years
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Qualified Private Coach
Passed Coach Course

Matt McLaughlin
McLaughlin Speed Academy
Track & Field
Background Check Verified
Learn MoreThis coach has passed an identification, basic background, and sex offender check.
Whether an athlete is new to hurdling and wants to simply win some local races, or is a veteran hurdler looking to reach the next level, I can help. View all coaching experience
Training Locations
Packages
1 session package with Coach Matt. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$60 1 session + applicable fees
3 session package with Coach Matt. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$171 3 sessions ($57/ea) + applicable fees
5 session package with Coach Matt. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$270 5 sessions ($54/ea) + applicable fees
10 session package with Coach Matt. 60 minute session length
Session Length: 1 hour
$510 10 sessions ($51/ea) + applicable fees
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Adults, Kids, Teenagers
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Cross Country, Sprints, Middle Distance, Long Distance, Hurdles
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Sprinting, Form, Baton Handoffs
Credentials
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15 years
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Qualified Private Coach
Passed Coach Course
Services
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Adults, Kids, Teenagers
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Cross Country, Sprints, Middle Distance, Long Distance, Hurdles
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Sprinting, Form, Baton Handoffs
More About Coach Matt
In 2009 I began coaching hurdles for my daughter's track club. A parent, who had become a friend commented after the regional meet, that we had the highest number of kids who made it to that meet, the most in the finals, and the most champions, of any other club. When my daughter entered high school, the school need a hurdles coach. By 2017, I was the hurdles, sprint and head coach of the Westlake High School track team, and we won the CIF Championship, the only time in school history. I now coach at Extreme Force Track Club, and in 2023, we had 6 middle or high school District Champions and 14 hurdlers who made it to the Junior Olympics. Of that group, we had two All Americans, finishing 3rd, as well as other hurdlers placing 11th, 13th, 27th, 30th and 46th, ranging in age from 11 to 18. The athlete who finished 13th in the country is now a full-ride college athlete and just broke the school record in the 60 meter hurdles.
I played football and ran track at Santa Ana High School, I ran the 300 hurdles, with a personal record of 39.1. At Santa Ana College, I ran the 400 hurdles, with a personal record of 54.2. Essentially self-taught to hurdle, I did not switch foot, so that 54.2 included a pretty significant studder step at hurdle 6 or 7. My track career was over, as I then transferred to Cal. State Fullerton, which did not have a track team at the time. Prior to moving to Texas almost 3 years ago, my wife and I competed in Sprint Triathlons, where we usually podiumed.
We start with jogging one lap. Then we do proper static-stretching, which was learned from physical therapist Bob Forster in Santa Monica, CA, and featured in my book: "Fit at 50, Back from the Brink, Naturally." Next is a series of dynamic drills to work on run form. We then move to a series of drills on the ground and against the fence, which focus on the specific movements of hurdling. We do these drills slowly and perfectly, to make the right muscles stronger, so they take over when in the air. We also start with break-away hurdles, so the hurdles go down and not the athlete. As the athlete progresses, we add hurdles. I also do regular run-form coaching, as well as proper block starts.
Action Photos
Client Reviews
Wayne (CoachUp client)
I enjoyed working with Matt to learn more about the hurdles. His program is very comprehensive and includes basic exercises for warming up for any physical activity as well as specific exercises for the hurdles. I am a 70 year old athlete competing in Masters Track and Field, training for the indoor pentathlon at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships to be held in Florida in March. With Matt’s help with hurdles, I am training for Gold!
Brad (CoachUp client)
Sessions are going great. There was a slight hesitation from my son in the beginning, but Matt’s guidance and expertise were well received, as well as the work outside of training, especially the stretching, have been implemented is his daily routine because he knows now what it takes to get better.
Eric (CoachUp client)
My son says he was very helpful in analyzing his running posture . We look forward to working with him in the future .
Eric (CoachUp client)
Coach Matt was great and very patient with my son. He was able to give be us some drills and workouts for us to focus on at home. I would highly recommend!
Brett (CoachUp client)
Coach Matt has great attention to detail. He has assisted our athlete in not only the technical aspects of hurdles, but also the flexibility of the athlete through stretching techniques and speed workouts. He has a passion for helping athletes hit and exceed their goals.
Genyffer (CoachUp client)
I am forever grateful to Coach Matt for his exceptional expertise and insightful guidance, which he generously imparted to my son. His commitment extends beyond refining athletic techniques; he prioritizes the holistic health and well-being of his athletes.
Our journey with Coach Matt started in late April, with my son Xaiden possessing no prior track experience upon joining middle school track. Coach Matt met Xaiden at his starting point and, within a matter of months, elevated him to the position of Regional first-place holder. Subsequently, Xaiden achieved third place in the nation at the Junior Olympics. In his first summer track season, just wow. We wouldn’t have made it this far in our first season without Coach Matt’s invaluable coaching and mentorship.
For those seeking a coach who exemplifies passion for their craft and is dedicated to facilitating the success of their athletes, Coach Matt is your guy!
Terry (CoachUp client)
Matt is fantastic. He is technically very sound and thorough. He teaches a proper warmup and stretching routine before getting into some basic hurdle mechanics. Only once all that is good does he get people over hurdles. He seeks to build athletes from the ground up, and his results are proof that he knows his stuff.
Myles started with him in 8th grade and went from an average runner to district champion to top 30 nationally. Matt was pivotal in fine tuning his technique and giving him a tailored routine to do at home. Most of all, Matt made him excited to do track. Myles reluctantly started track as a way to improve his athletic abilities for basketball, but after working with Matt he has put hurdling at the top of his interests. Strong recommendation for anyone trying to develop a young teen for sports.
Stephen (CoachUp client)
Coach Matt has a unique ability to meet athletes where they are and provide them with tools to become well rounded, high performing athletes. He works to understand their goals, and then provides a strategy, framework, and daily actions they can take to make progress.
My daughter (HS) has worked with him on hurdles and sprinting for the past year, and her understanding of mechanics, execution, and confidence have drastically improved. You can tell that he loves sports and competing, and he passes that love on to the athletes he works with. Something I love is he teaches athletes lifelong skills beyond just the core mechanics, and it’s everything. The mental aspect of sports, physiology, how to workout effectively, and proper nutrition are just some of the extra things he’s helped my daughter understand and pay more attention to. He’s top notch!
Craig Walter/Father of LyLa (Testimonial)
Matt has done wonders in refining my daughter Lyla’s hurdling technique on both short and long distance events. I really appreciate his encouragement and ability to translate his knowledge in a manner that allows her to continue to grow as an athlete. We were so excited this past year in which Lyla was able to advance to Junior Olympics in both the 100m hurdles and 4 x 100m relay. Thanks to Matt’s coaching and guidance, Lyla was able to set a PR in hurdles and finish in the top 27. Lyla is looking forward to working with Matt this year to continue to hone her technique and improve her hurdling abilities. I highly recommend Matt if you are looking for an amazing coach that has the knowledge and skill needed to help your child advance along their athletic career.
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