Game

Gamespeed says goodbye to this years crop of “College Ready” athletes

Well its back to school time. Just wanted to say good bye to some of the collegiate athletes that trained this summer. Looking forward to hearing good things. If the past year is any indication of whats to come (see our “College Ready” article) there will be lots to read about. Every summer I look forward to working with these athletes. To see them grow and mature as athletes and individuals is a great pleasure. Whether they attend big or small schools these athletes are competing, getting an education and exemplify the student athlete. Thank you for being an inspiration and great role models for my younger athletes.

Val Margerum (Soccer) 2nd year: Just one year from knee surgery Val is back with a vengeance. She put in a full off season cinditioning effort and is headed to Corvalis ready to go. She wrote:

“…preparing for the upcoming season by playing in a summer league and working out at Gamespeed twice a week, it’s baffling that only a year ago I could barely sprint at all. […]

Gamespeed says goodbye to this years crop of “College Ready” athletesGame2016-12-09T00:03:08-08:00

Soccer: OSU’s Val Margerum’s journey from ACL injury.

Numerous studies that have been conducted over the past ten years indicate that females are indeed more susceptible to ACL injuries; most report that females are 4 to 8 times more likely to tear this ligament.

Proper technique training to include running, jumping, landing and footwork can reduce the likely hood of this injury. Movement skill is what prevents this injury and it is a year round process. Don’t fall into the trap of doing it as preseason work only. A simple schedule of twice a week or a moderate number of reps during your daily warm-up routine can be a great defense. Done properly these are great exercises:

Single leg balance squats

Step Ups

Depth Jumps

Speed Skaters

At Gamespeed we get our share of athletes coming off ACL rehab looking to get back in the game. Here’s the story of an athlete who was determined to get back on the field.

Val Margerum is starting her second year of soccer at Oregon State. She came to us last year to get back up to speed and just completed another summer training program with us this past July. She’s tough talented and a complete pleasure […]

Soccer: OSU’s Val Margerum’s journey from ACL injury.Game2020-02-01T19:41:43-08:00

Gamespeed’s Stephenson Promoted to Double A- On the Fast track

Stephenson Promoted to Double A- On the Fast track

Rotoworld.com

I just watched him pitch in High A last weekend and two days later he’s promoted to Double A in Florida. I saw why just glad I could catch a game this year.

“The Reds have promoted pitching prospect Robert Stephenson to Double-A Pensacola.
“We wanted to fast track him this year,” general manager Walt Jocketty said. “We would have been there sooner if he hadn’t had a little setback.” Jocketty is referring to a hamstring injury that sidelined the top prospect for most of June. Stephenson boasts a 2.67 ERA and 118/22 K/BB ratio over 97 2/3 frames between Low- and High-A this season. Aug 13″

Gamespeed’s Stephenson Promoted to Double A- On the Fast trackGame2016-12-09T00:03:08-08:00

Nutrition Tips: Fueling the Athlete

Nutrition Tips: Fueling the Athlete

By Aaron Thigpen

Gamespeed Sports Performance

8/9/13

Performing at optimum speed, power and agility means fueling the body with the right nutrients to be sharp, explosive and ready. A workout can only be as good ads the fuel you have in your body to perform it.

Running faster, lifting more and jumping higher starts with not only a solid workout plan but a solid diet plan.

1) During Workouts

8-16 oz of a sport drink 20-30 minutes prior to exercise. Another 8-16 oz per 30 minutes of exercise to maintain energy. If too sweet try diluting it in a little water. Always have water available to drink in addition. For post exercise recovery, within 20 minutes of the end of exercise consume 12-16 oz of low fat milk, (chocolate/strawberry is ok) or a basic pure whey isolate protein supplement.

2) Before & After

Avoid eating solid food within 60 minutes before exercise to 30 minutes after exercise. Solid foods are hard for the body to digest during workouts. Avoid candy bars, chips, and other snacks right after workouts. Consume the chocolate milk/protein, wait 30 minutes, and […]

Nutrition Tips: Fueling the AthleteGame2016-12-09T00:03:09-08:00

A Shout out to my little speedsters

Remember the days when recess time was spent playing blacktop games, not punching buttons on a Gameboy. Well I guess those days haven’t died. I’ve got two kids here that have races during recess. Jack & Matthew tell me they are now kings of their blacktop. These brothers are putting the 1-2 punch to their classmates during recess time races. After just a few lessons at Gamespeed they happily came back to report they are now ruling the blacktop at their Elementary school in San Ramon. They said “hey coach Aaron, kids who used to beat us can’t anymore, were the fastest!”

A former blacktop racer myself back in the day (as well as neighborhood light post to light post racer) , it brought back fond memories. Gotta love it!

Some of the most talented athletes that come through my door are my young guns. Here are a few of my most promising elementary aged athletes. These guys are so much fun to work with, they keep me energized and inspired. Its awesome to see these kids move and the joy they have doing it. I would love to retake this picture in […]

A Shout out to my little speedstersGame2016-12-09T00:03:09-08:00

A Shout out to my little speedsters!

Remember the days when recess time was spent playing blacktop games, not punching buttons on a Gameboy. Well I guess those days haven’t died. I’ve got two kids here that have races during recess. Jack & Matthew tell me they are now kings of their blacktop. These brothers are putting the 1-2 punch to their classmates during recess time races. After just a few lessons at Gamespeed they happily came back to report they are now ruling the blacktop at their Elementary school in San Ramon. They said “hey coach Aaron, kids who used to beat us can’t anymore, were the fastest!”

A former blacktop racer myself back in the day (as well as neighborhood light post to light post racer) , it brought back fond memories. Gotta love it!

Some of the most talented athletes that come through my door are my young guns. Here are a few of my most promising elementary aged athletes. These guys are so much fun to work with, they keep me energized and inspired. Its awesome to see these kids move and the joy they have doing it. I would love to retake […]

A Shout out to my little speedsters!Game2016-12-09T00:03:09-08:00

A Gamespeed Pitcher on the mound may mean “Lights Out!”

We don’t run a pitchers ranch or high tech training lab. But for nineteen years we’ve done alright by producing not only hard throwing but effective pitchers. Like most years the class of pitchers involved in our customized “Off Season Pitchers Conditioning Program” is small but that doesn’t mean it ain’t potent. It was lights out when these Gamespeed trained athletes hit the mound this year. Our athletes posted numerous shutout, no hitters and one,two, three hitters. Strikeout counts were high and ERA’s low. “Yeah we may not be big time but our results are right on time!”

Minor Leagues
Robert Stephenson. A first round pick of the Reds in 2011 is rising fast. He’s tabbed as one of the organizations top ten prospects. He has hit 101 mph a few times while on the mound. With a plus fastball and an emerging plus curve and now a effective change up he may be getting the call pretty soon. So far he has an amazing 85 strikeouts in just twelve games. Lights out!

2013 Stats

W- 5, L-3, ERA: 2.97, GS:12, G:12, IP: 66.2, BB:17, K:85

Elliott Waterman

A Gamespeed Pitcher on the mound may mean “Lights Out!”Game2016-12-09T00:03:09-08:00

EBAL Baseball & Softball Honorees

Sorry I’m late with this. Recognition goes to these softball and baseball athletes for outstanding levels of performance that got them selected to their conference all star teams. Most of these athletes are moving on to great colleges to continue play.

Baseball All EBAL

First Team

Fielders

Daniel Defazio (Cal)

AJ Velasquez (Cal)

Matt Smithwick (San Ramon) Cal Poly

Mason Melin (Monte Vista) Cornell

Honorable Mention

Pitcher

Alex Barden (San Ramon)

Softball All EBAL

Pitchers

Johanna Grauer (Amador) Arizona State

Fielders

First Team

Kwynn Cooper (Cal) UNLV

Krista Williams (Amador) Northwestern

Sara Weber (Monte Vista) Texas Tech

Honorable Mention

Kennedy Derussett (Foothill)

Maddie Warren (Foothill)

EBAL Baseball & Softball HonoreesGame2013-07-01T15:03:59-07:00

Gamespeed’s Shelton named Eastbay Baseball Player of the Year

Trent had a banner year. What a way to conclude your high school career. He began training in September of last year and completed a solid off season training plan. On the mound and on the plate he was stellar. Now off to Oregon State, where he will share the campus with other Gamespeed athletes Ya Garcia (Softball), Val Margerum (Soccer) and Dylan Wynn (Football). Trent’s dad was kind enough to compile his seasons stats for me. Check them out:

“Aaron — Thanks again for all of your efforts with Trent over the past year. He is very fortunate to have you involved in his training and I know he looks forward to continuing a relationship with you in the years ahead. Your efforts put him on a path for a successful season without injury, and as a parent I couldn’t be happier. I believe you are familiar with how the season went for Trent and Campolindo, but I thought you might find the summary below of interest. Thanks again and take care. ”

Trent Shelton / Campolino 2013

10-3 Record

1.48 ERA / 13 game starts – 81 innings pitched / 63 strike outs / 15 […]

Gamespeed’s Shelton named Eastbay Baseball Player of the YearGame2016-12-09T00:03:09-08:00

The Athletic Infielder Class: Fundamentals Go A Long Way

Me and EJ are very proud of the Athletic Infielder class. It doesn’t create a lot of buzz because we don’t hype it up like most other programs do. Our athletes quietly attend, get better and go forth to their seasons. Usually we get props because an athlete makes an exceptional play they previously wouldn’t or couldn’t make. However, the class is not just about the exceptional, its about the fundamentals. Our philosophy is: “Master the fundamentals and the exceptional becomes routine.”

One parent wrote us recently confirming just that.

Hello Aaron,

“You were right about Julian being a second baseman. During last week NTIS 15u try outs he showed solid fundamental in what he learned from your in-fielding class and made several outstanding plays. There was a clear difference between players with and without fundamental training.

Tni and I agreed that Julian must continue with all session that you offer…. He will still continue his catcher workout at Catch-All on Sunday, but Mondays will be game-speed.”

Patrick I. Jackson III

The Athletic Infielder Class

Coming this Fall

Stay Tuned

Join us and be a “Play […]

The Athletic Infielder Class: Fundamentals Go A Long WayGame2016-12-09T00:03:10-08:00