Are you showcase ready?
Whether you are a newbie or veteran of the showcase experience here are a few suggestions before you attend your next one.
60 yard dash – A fast sixty begins with getting off to the right start
START – Practice multiple stances. Straight ahead start and baseball steal position. Be comfortable and well balanced in your stance, ready to explode. Too much lean or being off balance can cause you to stumble or impede your ability to drive out fast.
Inside Dominic Braezeale’s Training Camp – Deontay Wilder Fight
This is Braezeale’s first camp with Aaron Thigpen of Gamespeed. He is undergoing training to improve speed, footwork and overall fitness. He brings athleticism and a athletes intellect that has allowed him to improve rapidly.
Deontay Wilder meets Dominic Breazeale May 18 on Showtime
The undefeated Heavyweight World Champion defends his WBC title for the ninth time when he faces his mandatory challenger at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY……..READ THE STORY HERE
See the Gamespeed training camps of other world class fighters such as Andre Ward , Andre Berto. and Amir Khan
So Your Going to A Showcase: Why?
Many times athletes go to showcases without any concrete goals. Some go simply because they feel its cool to go or want to see who else is going. Many go hoping and wishing some college is going to offer a scholarship right on the spot (not likely). All very poor reasons to attend a showcase. Goals for going to showcases should have a concrete . Primarily to further your DEVELOPMENT as a player! This in turn can improve your chances in the recruiting process. (Ultimate Goal!) Some of the right reasons for attending a showcase can be: Wanting to get an idea how they match up against their recruiting class (talent reality check). For others, it might be, to see how it feels to participate under the gun, when important people are watching. Whatever the case you should have a defined goal and stick with it when participating. Don’t be all over the place. A showcase is not the time for posting pictures and videos on instagram. Be ready , leave your ego behind, learn and grow from the experience. As a result you will be a better athlete, ready for the next showcase.
By […]
Gamespeed Video Analysis #FixMySprint
GAMESPEED
VIDEO
ANALYSIS SERVICE
Video analysis can be a valuable tool in helping you improve your athletic performance. By having an expert review mechanics, movements and race tactics you can receive valuable feedback on improving your performance, identify weaknesses and correct mistakes. I can review:
1) Practice or race activites.
2) Isolated movements of training exercises, running, jumping, cutting, agility, weight lifting.
Examples of activties that I can analyze: Sprinting, Block Starts, Olympic Lifting, Plyometrics.
Track & Field: 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m dashes.
RACE ANALYSIS
Race Phases, Tactics & Strategies
Block Starts, Transitions, Top End
PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
Interval Runs, Drills, Exercises.
LIFTING WORKOUTS
Olympic lifts, Free Weights, Plyometrics
Speed Versus Quickness – Know the Difference
By Aaron Thigpen, Gamespeed Sports Oct 2018
Speed and Quickness are two related but different skills sets. As such each requires different forms of training.
Speed can be thought of as moving the body rapidly in “one direction”,covering distance and is generally not stimulus driven. Accelerating, maximal sprints or runs are demonstrations of speed.
Quickness can be thought of as an atheltes instant “reaction” and corresponding change in body movement to a stimulus. A shift in posture, hand movement, multi directional step, dodge or cut are demonstrations of quickness.
The training for each is commonly confused. Heres a little help on separating the most common exercises used in the pursuit of both.
SPEED QUICKNESS
Accelerations/Sprints Ladder Drills
Hill Runs Skipping
Sled Pushes/Pulls […]
“Performance” or “Poor-Formance” Training You Choose
By Aaron Thigpen, Owner Gamespeed Sports Performance, Sep 2018
Performance training is key to your athletic development. But like most things it can get old and we can take the routine of training for granted. However, whether you love to get that endorphine pump or just see it as a necessary evil, the attitude and habits you bring to your training sessions will ultimately effect your game time results.
You May Be Sabotaging Your Work Out If You:
- Do not bring or wear the right equipment. Make sure your shoes and athletic wear fit properly. Shoes should fit well, be laced properly. You should be able to move freely in your clothing. Also wear the right clothing for the weather, warmup and warmdown activities. It doesn’t hurt to have spare clothes to react to changing conditions.
- Don’t execute all your reps. When possible don’t bail out, once a set gets hard try to work through it. If lifting get a spotter. In other activites slowing the pace or increasing recovery time can help you complete reps.
- Are not mindful of your intensity. Bring the appropriate intensity to your reps drills, […]
Parents: Are You Standing in the Way of Your Athletes Performance?
Parents: Are You Standing in the Way of Your Athletes Performance?
By Aaron Thigpen Owner Gamespeed Sports Performance August 2018
One tv show I get a kick out of is the “Goldbergs”. The mother, Berverly Goldberg. is the epitome of the “Helicopter” parent. She unabashadly maintains her purpose in life is to ensure that her kids every dream and desire come to fruition. The escapades of her manipulation, interference and blind support are hilarious and the bases for many of the family’s stories.
Of course we all love our kids and in terms of sports we want them to be successful. HOWEVEEER…..Some of your well intended actions can actually be stunting your child’s athletic development.
If you are thin-skinned you may want to stop here but if you really want the best for your athlete read on.
SIX Traps Parents Fall Into
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The “Former” Athlete: Your athletic past maybe irrelevant. We tend to remember the past a little more fondly than it might have been, In masters track we have a saying; “We were always greater than we were”. Keep in mind things change, trends in coaching, training and physical preparation evolve. What may […]
Wanna Build Muscle? Eat Like a First Grader!!
By Aaron Thigpen, Owner Gamespeed Sports Performance Aug 2018
Wondering why I have a picture of a Mickey Mouse lunch box. Well when I was in grade school I had one and little did I know my beloved mother (may she rest in peace) packed it with a lunch that gave me the building blocks of a athletes high performance meal.
The go to meal that fueled my legendary recess exploits that Im sure are still talked about at Taft Elementary was an Orange, Peanut Butter sandwhich and Chocolate Milk.
Oranges (antioxidant) are a great source of Vitamin C, which can reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and supports a healthy immune system for better recovery for athletes.
Peanut Butter (protein) has the necessary protein athletes need to keep muscles strong and free from injury. The nutrient-dense nature of “PB” contains healthy fats that provide long-lasting energy for athletes.
Chocolate Milk (carbs & protein mix) Refuels muscles after a workout. Compared to sports drinks chocolate milk leads to a higher concentration of muscle fuel (known as […]
Berto’s Ability to Press: Will to Win, Super Conditioning or Fatigue Management?
Berto’s Ability to Press: Will to Win, Super Conditioning or Fatigue Management?
By Aaron Thigpen, Owner,Gamespeed Sports Performance Aug 2018
Photo by Trappfotos
Boxing- On August 4th 34 year old Andre Berto won a decision over Devon Alexander (31) in a tightly contested match. After suffering a knockdown in the third round Berto battled back with unrelentting pressure. As a result Alexander could not keep the pace and succmbed to the constant pressure.
Was Berto’s performance a result of a strong will to win, superior athletic conditioning or his ability to handle fatigue? Actually a combination of all three. As his trainer for the past six years we are constantly striving to develop these factors.
A couple years back I used the phrase “comfortable being uncomfortable” in describing my approach to preparing fighters and then World Champion Andre Ward in his rematch with Sergei Kovalev that was aired on a segment of HBO. Nice to hear it repeated nowadays but most dont truly understand what I meant.
Your training must take a “three” pronged approach if you are to be successful in any sport. Any program must prepare you for high levels of Mental Pressure, Fitness and resistance to the ill effects of Fatigue.
The ability to […]