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 […]

Speed Versus Quickness – Know the DifferenceGame2021-12-17T13:49:43-08:00

“Performance” or “Poor-Formance” Training You Choose
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“Performance” or “Poor-Formance” Training You Choose

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“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, […]

“Performance” or “Poor-Formance” Training You ChooseGame2021-12-17T13:50:07-08:00

Parents: Are You Standing in the Way of Your Athletes Performance?
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Parents: Are You Standing in the Way of Your Athletes Performance?

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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

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 […]

Parents: Are You Standing in the Way of Your Athletes Performance?Game2021-12-17T13:50:40-08:00

Wanna Build Muscle? Eat Like a First Grader!!
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Wanna Build Muscle? Eat Like a First Grader!!

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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 […]

Wanna Build Muscle? Eat Like a First Grader!!Game2021-12-17T13:50:59-08:00

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 […]

Berto’s Ability to Press: Will to Win, Super Conditioning or Fatigue Management?Game2021-12-17T13:52:10-08:00

Off Season Gains Start With Fueling The Body – Know The Basics
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Off Season Gains Start With Fueling The Body – Know The Basics

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Off Season Gains Start With Fueling The Body – Know The Basics

By Aaron Thigpen, Owner Gamespeed Sports Performance Aug-2018

Summers over. So it’s that time again. Your journey to greatness has started again and your headed back to the gym. Your goal to get bigger, stronger or both will directly be affected on how well you eat. First you must understand the basic parameters that will allow your food intake to bring you to the next level.

So without getting into diets, recipes and all the minute details first make sure you understand the most basic concepts for “athletic eating”.

Know your caloric intake needs:

Use this simple formula – Activity Level Rating x Body Weight= Calorie Requirements

Males 23 (Heavy Activty Level) x Body weight

Females 20 (Heavy Activity Level) x Body Weight

Example- 23 x 175lbs = 4025

Learn how to calculate daily calories:

There are a number of free apps you can use such as: My Fitness Pal or My Plate

For Athletes who want to gain size and strength:

Consume 500 more calories per day.

For Athletes wanting to loss weight but maintain strength:

Reduce your calorie intake by 500 per day.

Know the bodies Fueling Requirements

Proteins should be 12- 15% of you caloric intake.

Carbohydrates should […]

Off Season Gains Start With Fueling The Body – Know The BasicsGame2021-12-17T13:52:40-08:00

2017-18 Top Gun Athletes

Dominic Pipkin – Drafted in the 9th round of the MLB Draft by the Phillis Pipkin topped out at 97mph this summer and sat consistently above 92mph.

The Northgate graduate topped at 95mph. He consistently threw in the low 90’s. He will continue his career at CAL next season.

Joey Soberon – Clayton Valley – Committed to St Marys. Helped carry the Ugly Eagles into the post season throwing 57 innings. Record of 5-3, 37strikeouts 22 walks and a 2.21 ERA. Had a top velo of 86mph and sat at 82-83 all season.

Reese Dexter – Heritage – Junior Varsity – The Junior pitched a total of 46.2 innings and had a 6-0 record. He had 83 strikeouts and 27 walks. posting a ERA of 1.20. His velo improved from 79 to 82mph.

Michael Crews – Campolindo Varsity: Junior topped at 86mph. During the HS season 257 total pitches 169 for strikes 88 balls, 13k’s. Innings 18 1/3, Seven Inn […]

2017-18 Top Gun AthletesGame2018-08-03T17:26:37-07:00

Inside Andre Berto’s Training Camp – Devon Alexander Fight

“Andre Berto and Devon Alexander meet in a high-stakes crossroads battle with the winner emerging one step closer to another shot at the welterweight crown,”

Former 147-pound world champions Andre Berto (31-5, 24 KOs) and Devon Alexander (27-4-1, 14 KOs) will battle in a 12-round showdown that headlines a stacked night of Premier Boxing Champions on FOX and FOX Deportes live in prime time on Saturday, August 4 from NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Berto has been training with Gamespeed’s Aaron Thigpen since 2012.

Inside Andre Berto’s Training Camp – Devon Alexander FightGame2021-12-17T13:53:56-08:00

5 Reasons to Consider A Summer Lifting Program
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5 Reasons to Consider A Summer Lifting Program

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5 Reasons to Consider A Summer Lifting Program

Okay summers here. Time for sun, fun and weights? Yes I said weights. Summer is an optimum time to make strength gains. Now don’t get me wrong, Im not talking “bulking up”. I mean developing and improving relative “strength to body weight ratio”. The type of strength work that can translate into power and explosiveness when you get back on the court or field.

Heres some good reasons why:

More Available Training Hours – With no school you may have a few more available hours to schedule gym time. Now you can take your time and not just squeeze it in but quality time. Also with more time comes more consistency which is the foundation for developing strength.

Replenish Strength Stores– Summer is a great time to replenish strength stores that are depeleted from the rigors of the past competitive season. Reload!

Opportunity to Correct Imbalances – Summer provides an opportuynity to get the body centered. Playing sports creates imbalances that need to be corrected in the off season. For those whose competitive seasons were more demanding you can recover from injuries and trauma and reset the body for the next season.

Do Things The Right Way – Time to cross the T’s and dot […]

5 Reasons to Consider A Summer Lifting ProgramGame2021-12-17T13:54:35-08:00

Getting the most out of a Sports Camp
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Getting the most out of a Sports Camp

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Getting the most out of a Sports Camp

By Aaron Thigpen – Gamespeed Sports Performance

Alright, its that time of year. Sports camps of all types will be going on. Here’s a few tips athletes and parent’s should know to get the most out of the experience. As an instructor of numerous camps over the years here’s some tips from an instructors perspective.

1. Research your camp thoroughly. Know things like: age range, skill level, number of participant’s, coach to athlete ratio, level of expertise . All of these factor into the level of fun and quality of instruction. Your athlete should be a “realistic” fit to get the most out of the experience.

2. Know the cancellation or absentee policy. Things do come up (weather, sickness) and you want to be up to speed on where you stand once you’ve put your money down.

3. Be equipped properly. Make sure you have the appropriate attire, footwear etc. Improper footwear on the wrong surface can lead to injuries. Check the weather to have the right clothing or change of clothing readily available.

4. Nutrition: Eat properly before the activity, have something to snack on for longer durations. Dried fruit, granola, trail-mix and sports bars are all […]

Getting the most out of a Sports CampGame2021-12-17T13:55:11-08:00