Custom Training & Specialty Classes

Custom Training Plan

Most athletes train at Gamespeed via our customized personal development plans. It starts with our Intro/Eval session. Following that we pair the findings of our initial observation with the goals of the athlete and build a custom program. The athlete then embarks on that program. Attendance is based on the training package chosen. Development is continual so our training plans are open ended. Once a package is completed the athlete is free to re-up and continue training or go into competition.

Seasonal Specialty Classes (Sport Specific)

Seasonally we do offer Specialty Training Classes. These are training classes with a set curriculum aimed at a particular sport. We offer some of the most original and innovative classes in the Bay Area. Sometimes we collaborate with some of the areas best sport specific instructors. Below are some of our classes. If you are interested in hearing when a particular class is being offered please fill out the contact form to be added to our email announcements list.

Youth Speed Skills

By qckstep2|2016-12-09T00:02:25-08:00January 10th, 2013|0 Comments

Carl Steward ‘In Our Backyard’: Masters sprinter Aaron Thigpen practices what he preaches
Gallery
Carl Steward ‘In Our Backyard’: Masters sprinter Aaron Thigpen practices what he preaches

Uncategorized

Carl Steward ‘In Our Backyard’: Masters sprinter Aaron Thigpen practices what he preaches

Carl Steward ‘In Our Backyard’: Masters sprinter Aaron Thigpen practices what he preaches

By Carl Steward

Oakland Tribune columnist

When you run a sports performance training center, it always helps to practice what you preach. With that in mind, Aaron Thigpen’s best advertisement for his company, Gamespeed, is himself.

At 46, Thigpen is arguably the fastest man in the world for his age, even though he was edged at the tape in the 45-49 age group 100-meter final by Italy’s Mauro Graziano at last week’s World Masters Athletics Championships in Sacramento.

Thigpen had an explanation for getting run down at the finish line. Because of nagging Achilles tendon and hamstring issues, he wasn’t able to train for 10 weeks and essentially went into the World Masters 100 cold. Yet he still was the fastest American at 11.38 seconds — well off a 10.94 that he ran in March before his injuries — and was an eyelash from winning the gold.

“Losing that bit of training time took just enough fitness off me where I was rusty,” he said. “I got to about 90-95 meters in that 100 after two other days of prelim sprinting, and I […]

By qckstep2|2016-12-09T00:03:46-08:00July 23rd, 2011|Uncategorized|Comments Off

The Awkward Athlete

THE AWKWARD ATHLETE

by Aaron Thigpen, Gamespeed Sports

May 2021

A few years ago I was approached by two parents. They had a thirteen year old son who had dreams of playing varsity baseball. They were actually apologetic about their sons athletic abilities. I asked them to bring him in for an Evaluation. Turns out they were right. The lanky, awkward kid was uncoordinated, clumsy and off balance in every thing he did. The most basic movements were a struggle and he looked on the verge of injury in most cases.

After the evaluation I informed them of my thoughts and suggested they bring him in twice a week, commit fully to the process and lets see where it goes over the next four years.

Fast forward four years later, my baby giraffe had become a strapping 6ft 200lb athlete. I had the joy of watching this young man pitch a complete game in the finals of the NCS Championships (90mph fastball) and hit the game winning RBI off the center field wall (400ft) of the Oakland A’s stadium.

My baby giraffe […]

By Game|2021-05-13T11:18:01-07:00May 12th, 2021|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Building Strength in The Young Athlete- Basic Calisthenics- A good place to start
Gallery
Building Strength in The Young Athlete- Basic Calisthenics- A good place to start

Uncategorized

Building Strength in The Young Athlete- Basic Calisthenics- A good place to start

Building Strength in the Young Athlete- General Fitness Calisthenics

Start with “General Fitness”. Make sure your child is proficient in basic calisthenics. Calisthenics can help set the simple movement pattern skills that will lead to more advanced and complex movements.

Implement jumping jacks, push ups, pull ups, dips, lunging, squatting and skipping. You may need to modify the movements at first based on the child’s ability to execute properly. For example a kneeling pushup may be used before progressing to a full body pushup.

As your child progresses, increase the number of repetitions and/or vary the movement, for example going from two footed to single footed jumping and hopping.

Basic calisthenics will help your child establish a base of movement skills that will allow more complex athletic skills to be built upon ensuring better performance, endurance and reduce the likelihood of injury.

Aaron Thigpen is owner of Gamespeed Sports. For over 25 years he has been developing the athleticism […]

By Game|2021-12-03T10:16:44-08:00November 5th, 2020|Uncategorized|Comments Off

About Us

The Gamespeed Story

Aaron Thigpen

Speed & Movement Coach, Owner.

The Bay Area’s best athletes are powered by Gamespeed

Gamespeed was started in 1995 by Aaron Thigpen, who was a member of 11 U.S. national teams, a two time US Olympic trials qualifier, a 2011 and 2007 Masters World Silver Medalist at 100 meters and semi-pro baseball player. He is the current American record holder for the 60 meters in the 40-44 age Division.

Aaron started coaching as a college athlete at the age of eighteen while attending San Diego State. After graduating college he started coaching other athletes part-time between his professional track and field seasons before finally opening Gamespeed 21 years ago at the urging of his athletes.

Aaron’s experience in the trenches as an athlete, competitor, coach and speed trainer started long before performance training became an industry. A USATF […]

By Game|2021-11-16T13:31:08-08:00September 30th, 2019|Comments Off

Baseball Training & Development Center

Gamespeed Athletes

NCAA Athletes Professional Athletes Team USA Members

Gamespeed provides some of the most unique and potent baseball training programs in the state. Some of baseballs most popular programs originated from the collaborative efforts of Aaron and EJ. The “Athletic Infielder“, “Powerball Hitting”, “Total Player Training”,”Velocity Hitting” and “Top Gun / Young Guns Pitchers & Throwers Performance” are some of the most regarded and imitated programs in the state. Our purpose is to provide a M.A.P.P ( Managed Athletic & Player Program) with year round activities that are coordinated and integrated to move ball players towards their goals.

sign up now!

” I got a great foundation at an early age. Aaron & EJ […]

By Game|2019-10-07T00:44:11-07:00May 16th, 2018|Comments Off

Athletic Infielder Academy Results
Gallery
Athletic Infielder Academy Results

Uncategorized

Athletic Infielder Academy Results

The Athletic Infielder Academy (AIA) is the most unique baseball development program in the Bay Area. By blending the necessary athletic and fielding skills we can bridge the gap from practice to play. Over a four month period the participants went through a series of specially structured workout routines to build athleticism and fielding skills. These routines were designed to be fun, challenging and innovative but most importantly effective. The results show success in both areas of training.

Athleticism

After 29 training sessions we saw encouraging improvement in the particpants athlecisim particularly speed and explopsiveness.

Speed- The athletes averaged between .11-.13 improvement in speed testing. This translates into a “one step” (3′-6′) improvement in ground coverage and range. That means getting to more balls and making more plays.

Vertical Jump (Explosiveness)- The athletes averaged an improvement of 2.3″- 2.5 ” in the vertical jump that’s a 10-15% performance improvement. Not just jumping but the inital first step to the ball which provides the fielder with more time to get in the best position to make the play.

Fielding Skill

Over these 29 sessions our group of 16 infielders improved a great deal in quickness to the ball, transferring ball into throwing position […]

By Game|2018-03-06T09:43:51-08:00February 23rd, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off

2018 Open House
Gallery
2018 Open House

Uncategorized

2018 Open House

Welcome to our 2018 Spring Open House. Come take a peek inside one of the Bay Areas most respected training facilities. Since 1995 Gamespeed has been at the origin and center of the sports performance industry in Northern California. Take a tour of our facilities, meet some of the Bay Areas most regarded professional instructors and particpate in actvities and demonstrations.

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

Morning Session

10am – Doors Open

10:15 am – All Sports Warm Up – (Gamespeed)

10:30 – Infielding Demonstration – (EJ Sports)

10:45 – Running Speed Basics – (Gamespeed)

11:00 – Basics of Flat Ground & Long Toss – (Devalin Harper)

11:15 – Location Dynamics Grip & Spin – (Tony Laio)

11:30 – Meet The Coaches & Explore

Other demonstrations to include: Reflexx Reaction Light Training, Functional Assessment Screening, Olympic Dr Michael Ripley

COACH

AARON THIGPEN

SPEED, POWER & MOVEMENT

His athletes are now calling him the “Source”. The Bay Areas longest standing performance trainer with […]

By Game|2018-02-14T10:54:35-08:00January 18th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off

2018 Elite Infielder Program
Gallery
2018 Elite Infielder Program

Uncategorized

2018 Elite Infielder Program

The Making Of A Division I Infielder

High school Athletes

The only program of its kind in the Bay Area.

Now there’s a complete program dedicated to your development to becoming a legitimate Division I infielder. Complete in the sense that your physical and technical development now go hand in hand. This program will focus on the DI model in all the aspects of physical athleticism, conditioning, tactics and technical knowledge needed to play at the next level. Participants will develop their fielding skills and techniques with former SF Giants player Erik Johnson of EJ Sports in the following areas:

Understanding positioning regarding to pitcher hitting relationship.
First step awareness and decision to charge the ball.
Playing through the ball- at you, to your left and to your right.
Starting and completing double plays.
Off balance throwing. When and How?
Using your feet to get good hops.
Catching the ball on the downward and upward trajectory during the hop.
Relaying the ball and how to do it in regards to the […]

By Game|2018-01-07T18:55:13-08:00January 6th, 2018|Uncategorized|Comments Off

College Bound: Athletic Infielders Academy Program

Baseball & Softball Athletes

The only program of its kind in the Bay Area.

This dynamic program offers a two-pronged approach to developing the college bound athlete. Participants will sharpen their fielding skills and techniques with a program designed by former SF Giants player Erik Johnson of EJ Sports and strengthen their athletic skill development with exercises specially selected by Gamespeed’s Aaron Thigpen.

The sole purpose if this program is to develop “College Level infielders”. We take a developmental approach to building both the physical and technical requirements to becoming a collegiate level athlete. This is much more than just fielding ground balls and weight lifting. Its not enough to “make the play” college recuriters are looking at how you make plays.

The academy will teach:

– Approach to the ball

– Catch and release technique

– Positioning and Anticipation

Plus many more items scouts and recruiters have an eye for in determining your abilities for the next level.

On the athletic side the academy will provide the training to develop the physicality to compete at the next level such as:

– First step explosiveness

– Footwork & Range

– Balance & Coordination

– Throwing velocity