Saturday Football M.O.V.E.S

Training Movement for Optimal Velocity, Explosiveness and Speed.

This class is designed to address the universal need for movement skills in the football athlete. Most programs weigh heavily on the weight lifting and building size component of football preparation. However there is a huge need to balance that with the ability to run, cut, jump and be athletic on the field.

Athletes make plays, explosive & faster athletes make big plays. Make the Speed-Power connection.
Saturday Football M.O.V.E.S

Middle School Athletes
Are you ready to make the jump to the next level? The game only gets quicker and the athletes stronger. Why not start now? Learn “football” running skills, explosive multi-directional movement, and condition your body to reduce the risk of injury and handle the demands of the sport.

High School Athletes
If you’re a football player who plans to attend 2016 spring and summer football camps, it’s time to get to work! You only get one chance to make a great first impression to the colleges and scouts who want to see what you can do. We will not only teach you skills and mechanics, but help build and condition your mind and body for the intense training. Don’t just show up – show […]

By Game|2016-02-19T22:42:22-08:00December 9th, 2014|Uncategorized|Comments Off

One Sport Specialization May Increase Your Risk of a Knee Injury

Got this great email from one of my parents who happens to be a Physical Therapist. I wanted to pass it on. I agree with her and the article whole-heartedly.

Good morning —

I thought I would forward this article along which was written by a fellow PT colleague. It is just a good reminder of the importance of muscle balance in sport. For those athletes who cannot back off of a given sport a bit during the year for whatever reason, outside training with a knowledgeable professional which addresses stability, balance, core and opposing muscle group strengthening is critical. We PTs are seeing a big increase in the number of injuries due to overuse and muscular imbalance, and it isn’t just about knees. My preach for the day: “IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE !! This is NOT a marketing gimmick on my part — I am plenty busy! I feel it my duty to do what I can for our community and our kids. Let’s help them to learn to stay balanced in all that they do …

Enjoy your day —

Trish Brown, PT

One Sport Specialization May Increase Your Risk of a Knee Injury

January 15, […]

By Game|2016-12-09T00:03:06-08:00January 25th, 2014|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Athletic Infielder: Series Starts Monday November 2nd

***NEW START DATES***

Series Starts Monday November 2nd

**Space is limited, reserve your spot**

Baseball & Softball Athletes

The only program of its kind in the Bay Area.

This dynamic program offers a two-pronged approach to developing the ultimate play maker. Participants will sharpen their fielding skills and techniques with former SF Giants player Erik Johnson of EJ Sports and strengthen their athletic skill development with Gamespeed’s Aaron Thigpen. It promises to be the most effective 75 minutes of training a baseball athlete can undergo.

Participants can expect to see improvement in:

Soft- Quick Hands

Footwork

Range

Instincts

Reaction Vision

*****First Come First Serve Limited slots available*****

Cost: $280

Dates: November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 30th, Dec 7th

Time: Mondays 7:00-8:30pm

Ages: 11 and Up (athletes will be grouped by ability).

For athletes under 11. We will take an interest list. If enough participants, we will open it up to these athletes to form their own grouping. Be sure to call ASAP to express your interest.

For more information or to sign up, call Gamespeed at (925) 513-8676.

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Athletic Infielder Payment

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By Game|2016-12-09T00:03:07-08:00October 26th, 2013|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Raising their Game May 10th

Softball & Baseball

Johanna Grauer- Athlete of the week CC Times.

The ace threw her third no-hitter of the season as the Dons beat Carondelet 6-0. She struck out 14 in the win. Grauer then allowed just one hit while striking out 12 in a 10-0 victory over Granada to lower her ERA to 0.12. Grauer also hit safely in both games.

Josh Hathaway- Travel Baseball

Congratulations to Josh Hathaway just nine sessions in to his Gamespeed training. He is seeing solid resuts . Josh is a quiet kid who comes in and gets his work done enthusiastically. Obviously he’s been paying close attention to his program. Way to go kid!

His father told me of his exploits on the baseball diamond.

Aaron,

I wanted to share a quick update on the progress we are seeing with Josh playing baseball. Last weekend (Apr 27-28) he played in a tournament at BLD in Manteca. On Saturday, he pitched the first game and helped his team get off to a nice start with a 13-3 victory. On Sunday, in the […]

By Game|2016-12-09T00:03:12-08:00May 10th, 2013|Uncategorized|Comments Off

San Jose State’s James Orth has great tryout with 49ers

On Wednesday James Orth had an impressive workout with the 49ers at their Santa Clara facility. The San Jose State Free Safety is looking to secure a free agent spot with an NFL team. It was a big turn around from his previous pro day performance at San Jose State just one month ago. He did’nt run well in the 40yd dash posting only a 4.79. He gave me a call and wanted to make a change from his previous trainer. I previously had worked with James while he was in high school attending Central Catholic in Modesto.

The last SJSU defensive back to combine prep at Gamespeed was Dwight Lowery who was drafted by the Jets in 2008.

We pretty much only had three weeks to get ready for the 49er combine. James came in and worked hard. He’s a very disciplined athlete and knows how to think things through which is important in learning proper techniques. Fast forward 8 sessions of speed training, shuttle work, L-drill work and movement skills and he blazes a 4.57 40 yard dash and nails the shuttle and L-drills. That’s a .22 drop in just […]

By Game|2016-12-09T00:03:14-08:00April 18th, 2013|Uncategorized|Comments Off

F.A.Q

Q: Who is Gamespeed?

The owner is Aaron Thigpen, former world-class track athlete and speed and movement coach of twenty years experience. It is also a host of other reputable “independent” professionals who provide training services at the training facility. These include: Brian Engberg of Five Tool Instruction Baseball and guest instructors Erik Johnson of EJ Sports and Quang Hamon of Bulldog Soccer.

Q: How does Gamespeed work?

First you sign up for an initial evaluation/training session. This enables Aaron to evaluate your athletic skills and starts as a jumping off point for your development. Second, a training schedule is set based on your abilities, goals, frequency, budget, and time constraints. Third, you attend and undergo the training.

Q: What services are offered by Gamespeed?

Gamespeed is primarily a Speed, Movement, Explosive Power and Conditioning service. We have made our reputation off of having one of if not the best speed development program on the West Coast. Not only local athletes but athletes outside the area […]

By qckstep2|2020-08-28T10:13:29-07:00January 9th, 2013|0 Comments

Sports Training

BASEBALL

For more than 18 years, Gamespeed has been the training center of choice for the Bay Area’s best baseball players. During that time, I have trained no less than 34 Major League Baseball professionals, as well as countless top high school prospects. Gamespeed-trained baseball players have gone on to compete at some of the nation’s best collegiate programs: UCLA, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, USC, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, San Diego State, Chabot, Ohlone, and Diablo Valley to name a few. Add to that some of the area’s top travel programs like EJ Sports, Nor Cal, Blankenship, the Gamers and others you see Gamespeed has a deep involvement in Bay area baseball. If you’re reading about a local top prospect in the newspaper, chances are he’s a Gamespeed athlete. I work with young baseball athletes trying to raise their game from the little league level to collegiate hopeful to aspiring professional.

At Gamespeed, baseball players raise their game by focusing on:

Speed Throwing velocity Hitting power Fielding range Bat speed & Bat Power

By qckstep2|2016-12-09T00:02:25-08:00January 2nd, 2013|0 Comments

Football: Melin & Hudson named to All East Bay Football Team
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Football: Melin & Hudson named to All East Bay Football Team

Gamespeed Clients, Uncategorized

Football: Melin & Hudson named to All East Bay Football Team

Ray Hudson of Foothill High was named second team offense for the Contra Costa Times East Bay team. Hudson will be headed to CAL to play Tight End next year. Praised for his agility as a big man he will join a rebuilding Bears offense. Ray has been a student of Gamespeed since 2009. He tirelessly works on his speed and agility with coach Aaron as well as tactical skills with coach Mike. Earlier this year he had some of the best Nike combine numbers in the area and recently played in the All Star Cal State Game. He sure wont be lonely on campus he will join no fewer than eleven other Gamespeed athletes at CAL.

Mason Melin of Monte Vista High was named First Team Offense at the tight end position. A great athlete who seems to be following in the footsteps of Mustang alums Ryan Whalen (Stanford/NFL) and Zack Ertz (Stanford). For the past two years Mason has worked at Gamespeed to develop his overall athleticism for not only football but baseball as well. Not sure which one he’ll ultimately choose but he’s […]

By qckstep2|2016-12-09T00:03:22-08:00December 31st, 2012|Gamespeed Clients, Uncategorized|Comments Off

GS: Athlete Updates- Ryan Neil commits to CPSLO & Merritt Men’s basketball ready

Congratulations to Ryan Neil. Formerly of Monte Vista High 2011 and DVC 2012 he has committed to play for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He has great size and moves well for a big guy. He honed those skills while working with Aaron and Mike at Gamespeed. His mom wrote us recently to give us the good news:

Hi Aaron,

Happy Holidays! I just wanted to let you know (I don’t think we have before) that Ryan is leaving in two weeks to start college at Cal Poly, and will be playing football there. He was also offered a spot at another Northern California university, and owes a huge thank you to you and Mike. THANK YOU! Dee

Looking forward to following the Merritt College basketball team. Coached by one of my mentors Maurice Compton they have spent numerous sessions at Gamespeed working on speed and agility skills to take their play to the next level. They particularly liked our combo plyometric and movement circuits, well “liked” might be too strong a word. Good luck […]

By qckstep2|2016-12-09T00:03:23-08:00December 25th, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off

Rising stars: Early specialization, Training the athleticism out of our youth.
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Rising stars: Early specialization, Training the athleticism out of our youth.

Uncategorized

Rising stars: Early specialization, Training the athleticism out of our youth.

Everyday we’re hearing more and more stories of childhood obesity and the lack of activity of today’s youth. On the flip-side is a population of athletic youth at the other end of the spectrum. These super competitors compete and train year round. Their involved in “Early specialization,” the practice where a young athlete focuses solely on one particular sport. This is done at an early age rather than later in an athletic career. Sometimes it’s at the parents urging where they think they have the next Cy Young recipient or Olympic gold medalist. Other times it’s the child’s dream to pursue a narrow athletic path.

There are some “short lived”positives to a narrow focus of an athletic pursuit such as accelerated skill development and competency (which soon plateaus). As a professional trainer at Gamespeed for eighteen years, I feel they are outweighed by the negatives and aren’t necessarily an “iron clad” determining factor for success in later years.

Here are some reasons to avoid early specialization:

1. Early specialization can cause overuse injuries. Athletes who tend to specialize early also tend to play too often. The frequency and volume of repetitive athletic movements can result in overuse or repetitive stress injuries. Tendinitis is […]

By qckstep2|2021-12-13T12:31:51-08:00August 19th, 2012|Uncategorized|Comments Off