Sporting Goods Stores and Buying Performance

Hello Everyone!

So I recently went into a sporting goods store and I wasn't sure if what I was seeing was funny or sad. It was obvious the store was trying to get their potential customers to believe that their products will make them:

• faster
• stronger
• more powerful
• quicker
• get more playing time
• jump higher
• leaner
• bigger

You name it. Anything an athlete could desire they want you to think you could buy it. Well I'm sorry if you think a new pair of shoes will make you faster. Or a new bat will make you a more powerful hitter. Or any product will suddenly take your game to the next level.

AGSP athletes getting faster, stronger, and more powerful through proper training.

 What will make you faster and what will make you more powerful is something you can't buy in a sporting goods store. It's hard, consistent training where you're constantly fine tuning your skills, improving your movement, building a body full of strength, and developing the power needed to excel in your chosen sport. Once you've done that, then you'll look great with that new pair of shoes as you round the bases after smashing it over the fence with your new bat.

Regardless of level, AGSP will work with you to help you become the best athlete you can be!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Athlete Performance Testing - Part 2

In Part 1, we established that regular performance testing creates a baseline to evaluate your progress as you train. In this next installment, we’ll examine another important reason to test – goal setting.

As we have discussed before, athletes are unique and have varying levels of athletic ability. Regardless of whether you are a second stringer or second-to-none on the playing field, you have the ability to improve your athletic performance. This is where goal setting comes into play.

And just so we’re clear, “getting better” is not a goal.

   You need to make sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T.

                              Specific – What exactly do you want to accomplish?

                              Measurable – How will you know when you have accomplished it?

                              Attainable – Can you realistically achieve this goal?

                              Relevant – Is the goal specific to improving performance in your sport?

                              Time-Bound – When will you accomplish the goal?

Training with S.M.A.R.T. goals is like having a GPS telling you where you are on your journey to your destination. You’ll know where you’re heading, how far you’ve gone, how far you have to go, and when you’ll get there.

Yes, we use these at the facility. No, you can’t have one. They’re proprietary and we’re still working the bugs out.

Training without S.M.A.R.T. goals is like to not even knowing where you want to go.  You are a performance training vagabond. Really, we can’t even say you’re training, because training involves having specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound objectives that you are trying to achieve!

Keep Training!

Coach Anthony & Akron General Sports Performance











Athlete Performance Testing - Part 1

Why do we test?

A very pertinent question! Testing does a couple things for sports performance coaches as well as a couple things for you, the athlete!

-        Testing establishes a baseline to determine your current athletic performance level.
 

-        Testing gives you an idea of what performance goals are feasible and gives the coach an idea of where your overall athletic potential lies.
 

-        Testing allows the coach to see what the athlete’s strengths and weaknesses are. Once these are established, weaknesses can be addressed to create a more balanced, well-rounded athlete.

Each one of these points is important and each will be covered in a separate article.

Probably one of the most obvious reasons to test is that it creates a baseline to compare yourself to as you train and develop your performance engine. Speed, strength, power, flexibility, and work capacity can all be enhanced with consistent, progressive training. As you improve these components of performance, your test results will reflect this improvement. You’ll run faster, jump higher, change directions more efficiently, and fatigue less.

Most importantly, you’ll be able to perform at a higher level than if you had not invested the time and energy to better yourself.

New England Patriot's LB Jamie Collin's jumping 41.5" at last year's NFL combine. SICK.

Stay tuned! Part 2 coming soon!

 Keep Training!
Coach Anthony Colarusso and Akron General Sports Performance

Catching-up on Sleep (and breathing)

Hello everyone!

During the holiday season many athletes are looking to getting some much needed rest!

I recently learned that sleeping and breathing have something in common. You can catch-up on them,  but you can't store them!

Research has shown that you can indeed catch up on sleep.  Which is why naps and an extra hour here and there can make you and your body feel a lot better.

Green High School Football Players trained before school last spring, a good reason for lack of sleep!

It's important to understand the distinction between catching up and storing for later use. If you miss lead yourself into thinking you can store sleep for later, you'll find yourself greatly disappointed come that next early alarm clock. 

Think of sleeping like breathing after exercise: you can't take deep breaths and store them for the end of the race, but you can take deep breaths after the race to catch-up!

Feel better (and recover better) this holiday season by catching-up on some sleep!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Give the Gift of Speed

Hello Everyone!

This Holiday Season give a gift that lasts a lifetime! 
The Gift of Speed!

Sports Performance Gift Certificates are available in any amount and can be purchased over the phone or in person at either performance center.

A great gift for the athlete in your life!

Your athlete can start using their gift right away!  

We are open throughout the holidays!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athletes Beware: Butt Erosion

Hello Everyone!

If you've ever worked out in one of my training sessions you've probably heard me say, "the front is for show, the back is for go!" Which refers to the fact that the muscles behind us are the ones responsible for our speed and power and the muscles in front are mainly for looks.

At AGSP I'm always happy to hear an athlete say that their butts and hamstrings are sore because that tells me that they were training properly in their last session.

In a world where the hottest toys for the holidays usual involve sitting down to enjoy, we have to fight against "gluteal amnesia" if we want our athletes to compete at their fullest potential. (Gluteal Amnesia is lack of proper glute recruitment and firing. Visit some of these search results for more information.) 

Jeff Foxworthy joking calls this "butt erosion" at the end of this funny skit. 

When we get our athletes' glutes firing optionally we get athletes that are more explosive and powerful. We get athletes with more go!

If you suspect your athlete is suffering from "butt erosion" or "gluteal amnesia" it might be time to visit AGSP!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

2013 Holiday Hours

Hello Everyone!

2013 HOLIDAY HOURS

Thursday November 28 (Thanksgiving)
CLOSED

Friday November 29 (Black Friday)
09:00am Athlete
10:30am Athlete
12:00pm Adult

Tuesday December 24 (Christmas Eve)
09:00am Athlete
10:30am Athlete
12:00pm Adult

Wednesday December 25 (Christmas Day)
CLOSED

Tuesday December 31 ( New Year's Eve)
09:00am Athlete
10:30am Athlete
12:00pm Adult

Wednesday January 1 (New Year's Day)
CLOSED

Monday December 23 - Friday January 3
10:00am Athlete
05:30pm Athlete
*overflow groups scheduled as needed

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Results in Returning Athletes at AGSP

Hello Everyone!

With the change of sport seasons we are having some athletes return for their second, third, fourth, even fifth year with us. Many of these athletes started at AGSP when they were only 9, 10, 11, or 12 years old, and now as teenagers, their early exposure to proper training is really paying off.

It is easier to train a puppy than it is to teach an old dog new tricks.

We've all heard that saying before, but our multi-year returning athletes are showing how this saying can truly impact an athlete's performance and life. With a foundation of proper movement given to them, these returning athletes have better coordination and stronger foundation to work from. Their body remembers what it learned as "a puppy" and now doesn't have to lose time "learning new tricks." Therefore, these athletes are literally able to pick up where they left off and are ahead of their fellow athletes who didn't learn proper training and movement as "a puppy."

Do you have a young pup who loves sports? Maybe it is time they come try a complimentary training session with us at AGSP.

Or, do you have a teenage athlete who could learn some new tricks? The sooner they start training and building their foundation the better!

Keep Training! (our returning multi-year athletes are!)
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Basketball and Learning Skills

Hello Everyone!

With basketball season gearing up we are looking forward to seeing the athletes that trained at AGSP show off their improved speed, strength and power. Some of our athletes also worked on their specific basketball skills at The Cleveland Basketball School. This combination of speed and strength training, along with specific skill training, is exactly the type of training Division One Athletes do (hence why university's have separate strength coaches from the sport coaches)

Coach Robbie, Coach Amanda and Coach Paul work together to make athletes better!

Working on skills in the off-season is one of the best ways to truly become a better athlete. I like to remind our athletes, "If you are playing more games with the same skills you've always had, you are not going to magically become better. You have to learn new skills and then apply them."

Training at AGSP and at programs like The Cleveland Basketball School teaches you how to improve your skills. To see what skills you will learn at CBS check out their new promo video!

 

Keep Training! (and good luck AGSP basketball athletes!)
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Extra Training for the Glutes and Core

Hello Everyone!

Recently, the AGSP Adult Class had the opportunity to experience a  Body Works Barre class taught by the talented Anne Laing, who is a Certified Yoga Teacher. Anne explained that the class was based on Pilates and Ballet with a focus on core and glutes.

As a Sports Performance Coach I saw the class addressing everyone's, especially athletes, weaknesses in the core (mainly core stability) and the glutes (hitting nearly every muscle that is attached to the pelvis)! As a participant, I could feel the class "waking up" core and hip muscles in ways that they haven't been woken-up in a long time. It was a great reminder that these areas are so under-utilized in our daily lives that we have to give them as much extra training as possible to bring them up to their fullest potential.

If our core and hips are weak, there is no way we are the best athletes we can be. As Anne said at the end of the workout, "many professional athletes (especially NFL athletes) take Ballet and Pilates to supplement their training

Body Works Barre and Sports Performance are located under the same roof!

For a full schedule of classes and their descriptions check out THIS LIFESTYLES SCHEDULE. To reach Anne directly, you can email her at  laing_anne@yahoo.com or visit her Linkden Page.

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Achieving Your Full Genetic Potential

Athletes are unique. They come in all different shapes and sizes and all different ability levels.

This pic is the ultimate definition of unique!

Some athletes have very high genetic ceilings with lots of potential from the standpoint of athletic performance. Other athletes have lower genetic ceilings but can still maximize their athletic potential with smart, consistent training. The vast majority of young athletes perform well below their genetic ceiling. Moreover, when athletes of any age are exposed to performance training for the first time, they experience gains almost instantaneously, regardless of how high or low their genetic ceilings may be.

This initial jump in performance occurs because the athletes are learning the proper movement patterns and how to use the right muscles at the right times. Once the athletes can perform the exercises in a coordinated manner with the proper technique and timing, performance gains begin to occur more slowly, and this gradual increase continues until the athlete essentially reaches the point where they are as fast and as strong as they are going to get at their current size. How far an athlete develops depends on where their genetic ceiling lies.

A question I come across quite often with athletes and parents is "How long will it take to reach that ceiling?" This depends on a couple factors, most notably where the athlete is starting from, how high the athlete's ceiling is, and how the athlete is training.

First and foremost, athletes will respond to performance training differently depending on where they are starting from. If an athlete is new to performance training  but begins training early on in their athletic career, chances are good that they'll make gains in the weight room for several years and may develop more fully than athletes who get a later start. Athletes who begin training later in their athletic career can still make gains, but because they are getting a later start, they'll have to devote more time to "catch up" and may not get as close to their genetic ceiling as an athlete who started training earlier and has been training consistently for several years.

How athletes train has just as much influence on how quickly they reach their genetic ceiling as where they start from. If an athlete is going to reach their full athletic potential, they need to be doing a program that is both safe and effective. Moreover, athletes need to understand that just because a program works initially does not mean it will work indefinitely.

Remember that initial jump in performance? If a program is not effective, an athlete will not receive any performance improvements outside of that initial jump.

This is why it is so crucial to have knowledgeable strength and conditioning coaches work with athletes! Said coaches understand what effective and safe programs are and how to implement these programs to maximize results in athletes of all different backgrounds and ability levels.

Coach Amanda understands effective and safe programming! Does your coach?

 So just how long does it take to recognize an athlete's full genetic potential. As a ballpark estimate, if an athlete trains effectively and consistently year round, they'll be able to reach their genetic ceiling within 5-10 years of training. The higher an athlete's genetic ceiling is, the longer it will take to reach it! And remember, this is with consistent training. Because most athletes devote at least part of their year to competing in their sport of choice, it is not uncommon to see athletes, even professional athletes, who never quite reach their full potential!

Keep Training (Effectively & Consistently)
Coach Anthony and Akron General Sports Performance

 

 

AGSP Gets Results for Basketball Athletes

Hello Everyone!

We are nearing the 2013/14 Basketball Season and AGSP has had some amazing basketball athletes training with us for the past several months. These athletes are now jumping higher, have a more powerful first step, are moving quicker up and down the court and in the key, and they are more physical under the rim.

AGSP basketball athletes have learned how to improve their speed for better defense. Much of our speed and agility training is centered around teaching these athletes how to optimally move their hips for faster reactions.  Last season many of our athletes' parents and coaches commented on the noticeable improvement in our athletes defensive skills.


AGSP basketball players also added strength which allows them to pound the basketball more aggressively and play more physically under the rim. Our 100% supervised strength training sessions often include Olympic Lifts, Squats, Lunges, Pullups, and Pushups that have the athletes mimicking movements they perform on the court.  


Join AGSP for a free first session and start the journey to becoming a better athlete!
Good Luck AGSP Basketball Athletes!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Training Tip: Strength, Conditioning, and Athletic Performance

Hello Everyone,

It's time for another Training Tip with Coach Anthony!

Do you ever find yourself wondering why you train the way you do? This next video will describe the interplay between strength training and conditioning, and explain how these two factors impact your overall athletic performance!

Keep Training!
Coach Anthony Colarusso and Akron General Sports Performance

This Month's Testing Performance Highlights (Sept-Oct2013)

Hello Everyone!

At AGSP we test our athletes once a month to evaluate how well their training here is working. As the old saying goes, "numbers don't lie!"

Here are some of the highlights from this round of testing (the results of just 4 weeks of training!). Wouldn't you love to have these results too?

A high school baseball player put on 6 pounds of muscle and added 9 inches to his long jump!

A middle school basketball player added 2 inches to her vertical jump and shaved 0.2 seconds off her 10 yard dash!

A high school basketball player added 5 inches to his long jump and almost had a sub-4 second Pro-Agility!

A high school softball player shaved 0.2 seconds off her 10 yard dash and Pro-Agility times!

The training and coaching we do at AGSP works! Our athletes get results and take their game to the next level, and the numbers don't lie!

Call 330-945-3150 to schedule your complimentary training session and maybe next month we will be highlighting your results!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Lifting Young for Big Results

Hello Everyone!

Let me start by making one statement clear, IT IS SAFE FOR YOUNG KIDS TO LIFT IN A SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT WITH A CERTIFIED EXPERT. I'm not sure how it began, but the myth that lifting at a young can stunt growth and damage growth plates is not supported by scientific research. On the contrary, scientific research has shown that supervised lifting for young kids strengthens their growing skeletal and muscular systems, along with developing a more coordinated nervous system. (see article, Strength Training in Children and Adolescents: Raising the Bar for Young Athletes)

Having your son or daughter start lifting when they are mature enough to follow instructions for extended periods of time (which can happen as early as 7 years old) is one of the most powerful advantages and opportunities you could give your child.

Why? Because young athletes improve their training-age quickly. What is training-age? It is the age (hours) of experience you have invested in training. In Malcom Galdwell's book, "Outliers: The Story of Success" he states that the "10,000 Hours Rule" is a huge factor for success in any skill. Through examples and research Mr. Gladwell shows that practicing a certain skill for 10,000 hours (training-age) is one of the biggest factors in success.

So, the 7 year old that starts learning how to lift safely at AGSP (with light, appropriate weights and 100% supervision) will have 7 years of practicing strength training by the time he/she is 14 years old! That's half his/her life! All those hours of practice are hours that a non-lifting 14 year old can never get back. When the non-lifting 14 year old gets to 7 years of practicing strength he will be 21 years old!

The sooner you start investing time into proper strength training with a qualified expert, the faster you see results. And who wouldn't want their son or daughter to be strong?

We welcome younger athletes to try AGSP for a complimentary free trial. When athletes are 12 years of age or younger it is at our coaches' discretion after the trail session to determine if they are mature enough to benefit from our world-class program.

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Training Tips with Coach Anthony

Hello Everyone,

In an effort to help improve your athletic performance, reach your goals, and achieve your full potential, Akron General Sports Performance has decided to start posting regular videos of training tips, motivation, and advice! This first video installment focuses on the topic of training hard and pushing yourself beyond your perceived physical limits.

When you train, how hard do you push yourself? Are you able to regularly venture into the realm of discomfort, or do you seize up and roll into a ball of self-doubt when it comes to putting more weight on the bar, running a little bit faster on the treadmill, or throwing on a 20lb weight vest? Whether you realize it or not, your mindset bears a direct relationship to your athletic performance and the results you get in training!

Listen up and take notes! It's time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable!

 

Keep Training!
Coach Anthony Colarusso and Akron General Sports Performance

Lifting for Athletic Performance (Part 3)

Hello Everyone!

Continuing with our posts about why lifting for athletic performance should include exercises like the Olympic Lifts (Part 1 or Part 2). This post will give athletes and parents a better understanding of the most important (and beneficial) part of the Olympic Lift, the overloaded triple extension.

Overloaded Triple Extension in athletic terms simply means jumping with resistance. Now let me clarify that "jumping" in Olympic Lifts is not trying to get your feet off the ground as far as possible. In Olympic Lifting it is getting the barbell off the ground as far as possible.

Triple extension refers to the three joints of the hip, knees, and ankles extending in unison. This action is crucial for athletes (think rebounding, tackling, hitting, throwing, shooting, diving, kicking) since these athletic skills all require explosive unison of triple extension for an athlete to be successful.

As a side note, when your joints do not extend in unison you are at a greater risk of injury. In fact, many baseball players' elbows and shoulder problems stem from lack of unified extension of multiple joints (especially at the hip).

Olympic Lifting is all about triple extension, and when you get good enough, adding resistance (load) to the bar so you can get stronger triple extension. When you step off the weightlifting platform and into the realm of sports, you take this overloaded triple extension training and suddenly find yourself jumping higher, hitting further, throwing faster, tackling harder, kicking further, serving faster...and the list goes on.

 
Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Recruiting Webinar: Learn the Difference, Find the Right Fit

Hello Everyone!

Local recruiting expert Coach Kelly Kennedy posted an amazing recruiting seminar titled, "DI, DII, and DIII: Learn the Difference and Find the Right Fit". I highly encourage you watch this almost one hour long seminar. It will be an hour well invested for all you want-to-be-college-athletes out there. Instead of wasting an hour on social media, invest in this hour that could truly impact your athletic career!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Keep Your Chin Up

Hello Everyone!

"Keep your chin up" is a coaching cue we use to help our athletes achieve better speed biomechanics and posture. Yet, recently it has been a phrase of affirmation that I have been sharing with some of our hard working athletes.

Like,
The freshman cross-country runner who kept up with the seniors during recent time trials.

The collegiate freshman who is lifting more than most of his upper-classmen teammates.

The freshman basketball player who has the potential to take away a lot of playing time from the older players.

These athletes have been busting their butts at Akron General Sports Performance all summer long and have completely earned their results. Yet, the athletes that they are going to take starting spots and playing time from do not know about their hard work. None of these other athletes have seen the consistent discipline that these freshman athletes have had to become better. So sadly, these older athletes may not be very nice to these high-achieving freshman athletes.

This is why I have been encouraging our athletes to "keep their chins up" and not allow older, but not as hard-working, athletes hold them back from achieving great things in their athletic careers. 

Always remember, you are only 100% responsible for yourself. If other athletes chose not to work as hard as you that is not your fault. Do not let their lack of poor choices keep you from maximizing your choices (like to train hard at AGSP all summer long)!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #67) Mark Corroto

Greetings Sports Performance Aficionados!

As a new school year approaches, it's time to recognize an AGSP athlete who has been absolutely killing it  in the weight room and on the hardwood this past summer. While most were spending time at the beach, watching TV, or sleeping in, this athlete was in the weight room and on the court getting his grind on, punching the time card and doing some serious work. Four to five days a week, this athlete would come in, put on his game face, and get after it. No hesitation and no complaints, just hard work and sweat. I am very proud to introduce our newest athlete spotlight!

Athlete Name: Mark Corroto
Sport(s): Basketball
Position(s): Small Forward, Power Forward, Shooting Guard
School: Green High School
Graduation Year: 2013
AGSP Athlete Since: June 1st, 2013

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Oklahoma City Thunder/Cleveland Cavaliers

Favorite Professional Athlete: LeBron James, Kevin Durant
 

Favorite Lift: Good Mornings

Favorite Movement Skill: Box Jumps

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: Working out with my shooting coach, playing pick up games at the YMCA with my friends, shooting in my driveway, or swimming in my pool.

What are your short-term goals? My shot term goals are to get bigger, stronger, and faster so that I can start on the JV team this year.

What are your long-term goals? To continue working with Anthony to get myself in the best possible shape I can be. To work hard so that maybe one day I can play in college.

How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? Akron General is a great place. In the short time I have been working with Anthony, I have build better endurance on the court. I have noticeable better stamina in my games at basketball camp along with improved flexibility and strength. I will continue to work with Anthony the rest of the summer and beyond to reach my fitness goals.

CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF MARK TRAINING AT AGSP!

(we've put them all into one video!)
 

Coaches Note: Mark has been a pleasure to coach, and I am looking forward to catching his games this season and watching his progress over the next several years as a Green Bulldog. You've got the drive Mark! Keep up the hard work and good things will follow!

Keep Training! 
Coach Anthony Colarusso and Akron General Sports Performance

AGSP and Green High School in the News

Hello Everyone!

In the recently published "BURNING QUESTIONS: Green's battle begins up front," by Andy Harris of the Suburbanite. Akron General Sports Performance is mentioned for our involvement and dedication towards making Green's Athletes faster, stronger, and more powerful over the past several months.

We look forward to seeing the results of Green's hard-working athletes this upcoming school year! A special thanks to Coach Anthony Colarusso (Head Speed, Strength, and Conditioning Coach at AGSP's Green Sports Performance Center), Coach Dennis Robart (Head Speed, Strength, and Conditioning Coach at Green High School), Coach Ed Cybak (Head Football Coach at Green High School), and Mr. Bruce Johnson (Athletic Director at Green High School) for making this great program happen!

Keep Training! (The athletes at Green are!)
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

VIDEO: What is Akron General Sports Performance?

Hello Everyone!

Check out this video to learn more about Akron General Sports Performance and why it is the best program in the greater-Akron area for making athletes faster, stronger, and more powerful!

 

Keep Training!
Akron General Sports Performance
North Performance Center: 4300 Allen Road, Stow, OH 44224 (330)945-3150
Green Performance Center: 1940 Town Park, Uniontown, OH 44865 (330)896-9829

Summer to School Schedule

Hello Everyone!

Hard to believe schools will be starting back up in a couple of weeks! Please make note of the following schedule changes at Akron General Sports Performance.

North Performance Center (4300 Allen Road, Stow, OH 44224)
Last day of the summer schedule is Tuesday August 20. (mornings and evenings)
First day of the school schedule is Wednesday August 21. (after school and evenings)

Green Performance Center (1940 Town Park Blvd, Uniontown, OH 44685)
Last day of the summer schedule is Friday August 23. (mornings and evenings)
First day of the school schedule is Monday August 26. (after school and evenings)

Keep Training!
Akron General Sports Performance

Even more training times!

Hi Everyone!

We are so popular that we have opened up even more times so you and all AGSP athletes can get your training in!

Now there is no reason not to become a faster, stronger, more powerful athlete at Akron General Sports Performance!

See you soon!
Scheduling Line Stow: (330)945-3150
Scheduling Line Green: (330)896-9829

Akron General Sports Performance

Lifting for Athletic Performance (Part 2)

Hello Everyone!

Our last post discussed why training for improved athletic performance is different than training for specific muscles and why the Olympic Lifts can have huge benefits for athletes. In this post we will better breakdown one of the specific benefits athletes receive from Olympic Lifting.

Better Coordination is obtained when athletes learn how to Olympic Lift (Clean and Jerk, Snatch). Simply stated, the best athletes are the most coordinated! Think about it - whether it is dribbling, pitching, tackling, passing, kicking, swinging... all athletic skills are demonstrations of coordination.

Whoever has the best mapped out neuro-pathways has the best sport skills. (Your thoughts travel through your nervous system to the muscular system so your desired action is performed.) The faster and more detailed your neuro-pathways, the faster and more detailed you play!

The Olympic Lifts are all about coordination. To be successful in the lifts, your body parts must move at the right time and at the right speeds. Now reread that last sentence as if it were describing a skill for your chosen sport. It is universal to athletics (moving your body parts at the right time at the right speeds). When you become a more coordinated athlete you become a more skilled (and successful) athlete!
 
Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Lifting for Athletic Performance (Part 1)

Hello Everyone!

Recently I had an athlete ask, "Coach, what muscle does this Clean and Jerk work?"

Most of us are taught to look at exercises by what muscles they work (this is derived from America's bodybuilding obsession). Yet, in sports we don't say, "What muscle does dribbling this basketball work?" We dribble, and we practice dribbling, so we can score more and help our team win more.

So when athletes lift to improve performance, we have to ask questions like, "Coach, how will this exercise make me a faster, stronger, more powerful athlete?"

How does the Clean and Jerk (and the Snatch, all of which are classified as Olympic Lifts) help improve athletes' performance? Here's a list of benefits for athletes:

• Improved Coordination
• Improved Triple Extension (jumping, throwing, tackling, kicking...)
• Stronger Deceleration 
• Overhead Strength

The next post will better explain why the above list truly impacts an athlete's performance and success!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Recruiting Tips for Athletes

Hello Everyone!

Many of our athletes here at AGSP hope to continue playing their chosen sport in college. HERE is a great article written by local recruiting expert Kelly Kennedy that provides tips and suggestions on how to improve your recruiting process. A must read!

Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #66) Hannah Nichols

The Green Sports Performance Program has had a lot of talented athletes coming through the doors the past several months. One in particular stands out above the rest. She is one heck of a soccer player and has made great strides in strength and speed since starting with us back in January. She's also a pretty good dancer between sets of squats in the weight room :) I’m proud to introduce our next athlete…

Athlete Name: Hannah Nichols 
Sport(s): Soccer
Position(s): Defender, Midfield
School: Green High School
Graduation Year: 2017 
AGSP Athlete Since: January 2013

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Barcelona

Favorite Professional Athlete: Lionel Messi

Favorite Lift: Squats :) 

Favorite Movement Skill: Acceleration

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: With friends, traveling, or playing soccer 

Showing off her swag from the 2013 US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships. Hannah helped lead her team to a 2nd place finish in their bracket.

What are your short-term goals? To graduate high school
What are your long-term goals? To play professional soccer
How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? It has helped me get stronger and prevent injury.

CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF HANNAH TRAINING AT AGSP!

(we've put them all into one video!)

Keep Training! 
Coach Anthony Colarusso and Akron General Sports Performance

Leaders Lead from the Front

Hello Everyone!

Dwight D. Eisenhower is noted to have said that great leaders lead from the front. He compared it to moving a piece of string. If you push it from behind, the string bunches up, but if you pull it from the front, the string moves where you desire it to go. This simple, but powerful example helped US Military leaders lead from the front on the beaches of Normandy.

Often at AGSP we have leaders who are "leading from the front." Many times they are the first member of their team to join AGSP to dedicate time and training to improve their speed, strength, and power. Whether they realize it or not they are the leaders that are moving the team forward towards more wins and moving themselves closer to collegiate opportunities.

Leaders can not stand in the back waiting for others to act. Leaders take action. Leaders lead from the front!

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Walsh Jesuit Baseball Showcase for the Cure 2013 wrap-up

Hello Everyone!

The 2013 Walsh Jesuit Baseball Showcase for the Cure was the best yet. Besides raising money for worthy charities and giving local baseball talents the opportunity to "showcase" their abilities in front of a multitude of collegiate and professional recruits, it is also a great opportunity to learn. I know I learned.

The guest speaker this year was Coach Scott Stricklin (of Kent State Baseball fame, now Head Coach at The University of Georgia). He shared two powerful stories about what he looks for when he is recruiting athletes and I'd like to share them with you.

First, he shared the story of how he offered an athlete a college scholarship after a game that he did not play. He said he watched this athlete's actions as he sat out of the championship game. "This young man became the biggest encourager in the dugout, the first guy to help a teammate loosen-up his shoulder, and the first guy to congratulate a teammate." Those are the kind of athletes he wants to coach. So how do you act when your coach sits you down? How to you help your team when you are not playing? Who's watching you when you are not looking?

Read more about the 2013 Showcase HERE

Second, he shared a story about how a highly talented potential freshman-starter lost his chance at being recruited because of his Twitter account. Coach Stricklin said within one minute of looking at this athlete's public Twitter account that there was no way he wanted that kind of person on his team. So what are you sharing online that a potential college coach could read? Is what your sharing going to help or hurt your future?

Be a great athlete. Be a great teammate. Be a great person. 

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Walsh Jesuit Showcase for the Cure 2013

Hello Everyone!

This Wednesday, Coach Amanda will be guest coaching at The Walsh Jesuit Showcase for the Cure. Akron General Sports Performance is the title sponsor for this great event which, in addition to being an event that draws top baseball prospects and scouts, also raises money for a great cause!

Coach Amanda will be taking campers through acceleration training (the beginning part of sprinting) and helping to warm-up the baseball prospects before they compete. To learn more about the event click here. Spectators and baseball enthusiasts are welcome to check out this unique and note-worthy event!

Keep Training!
Akron General Sports Performance

Summer Schedule at North - adding more times!

Hello Everyone!

It is great having so many returning (and new) athletes training here at the North Performance Center in Stow! To keep up with demand we are opening up more times. See below for the most updated training schedule (330-945-3150).


MONDAY
10:00 AM – Coach Amanda
11:00 AM – Coach Noe (opens when 10am fills up)
01:00 PM - Coach Amanda (opens when 10 and 11 fill up)
04:30 PM - Coach Noe (opens when 05:30 fills up)
05:30 PM – Coach Amanda

TUESDAY
10:00 AM – Coach Amanda
11:00 AM – Coach Noe (opens when 10am fills up)
12:00 PM - Coach Amanda (opens when 10 and 11 fill up)
05:30 PM – Coach Amanda

WEDNESDAY
10:00 AM – Coach Amanda
11:00 AM – Coach Noe (opens when 10am fills up)
01:00 PM - Coach Amanda (opens when 10 and 11 fill up) 
05:30 PM – Coach Amanda


THURSDAY
10:00 AM – Coach Amanda
11:00 AM – Coach Noe (opens when 10am fills up)
12:00 PM - Coach Amanda (opens when 10 and 11 fill up)
04:30 PM - Coach Noe (opens when 05:30 fills up)
05:30 PM – Coach Amanda

FRIDAY
10:00 AM – Coach Amanda
11:00 AM – Coach Noe (opens when 10am fills up)
01:00 PM - Coach Amanda (opens when 10 and 11 fill up) 
05:30 PM – Coach Amanda

SATURDAY
09:00 AM – Coach Noe
10:30 AM – Coach Noe(opens when 9am fills up)

Schedule today and become a faster, stronger, more powerful athlete this summer!
(And don't forget, all AGSP athletes have access to both facilities. The second being in Green at 1940 Town Park Blvd, Uniontown, OH, 44685. 330-896-9829)

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

We Really Are Doing Division One Training

Hello Everyone,

One of our adult performance members had the opportunity to go to a Penn State father-son basketball camp a couple of weekends ago. Part of the camp was a behind the scenes experience of how the basketball team lifts and trains to get faster, stronger, and more powerful. Here is what I was told,

"Coach Amanda, if you ever have someone doubt that what you do here is really Division One training, then have them talk to me! We met the Penn State Strength and Conditioning Coach and saw how he trains the players, and nearly everything they do, we do at Akron General Sports Performance. I saw it with my own eyes."

I, and all of Akron General Sports Performance, take pride in providing our athletes and adults with the very best sports performance training possible. You know you will be getting the best results possible when you are learning the same skills as Division One athletes.

To be your best, train with the best.

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

I can't make you WANT it

Hello Everyone!
 
Recently I had an athlete get upset with me because I wouldn't let him add more weight to an exercise (his form wasn't good enough to add more resistance). Even though it was frustrating for him at the time, whether he realizes it or not it was actually a breakthrough for his athletic career. You see, this was the first time I saw him WANT to better himself. And I, as the coach, can not make you want it. 

Sure I can make you faster, stronger, and more powerful. I can make you go through the best training possible, but only you can mentally choose to want to become the best athlete you can be. If you consciously make that choice there is no limit to how far you can go in athletics.

Even when a coach, in their wisdom, prevents you at the moment from putting more weight on the bar....if you want it, and are willing to listen to the experts that have your best interest in mind, you will get what you want.

Keep Training! (and keep wanting),
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance 

Coach Amanda will be at The Cleveland Basketball School

CORRECTION: DATE IS SUNDAY JUNE 9TH, 

NOT THE 2ND.

Hello Everyone!

This Sunday at 2pm, Coach Amanda will be at The Cleveland Basketball School's Brecksville, Ohio location teaching the students at CBS how to be faster and more powerful!

The Cleveland Basketball School is a standout program that teaches athletes how to be better basketball players. Just like Akron General Sports Performance teaches athletes how to be faster, stronger, and more powerful. The two programs together make for powerful results!

Check out The Cleveland Basketball School's website for more information and how to become a part of fun, results-oriented program!

Keep Training!
Akron General Sports Performance

Athlete Spotlight #65) Jake Snyder

Hello Everyone!


Our next athlete spotlight gets stronger each week! He keeps up with the older athletes and is always a team player. He understands the value of sports performance training and strives to become the best athlete he can be! It is time to meet...

Athlete Name: Jake Snyder
Sport(s): Basketball, Baseball, and Golf
Position(s): Shooting Guard, Second Base, Pitcher, and Short Stop
School: Holy Family School
Graduation Year: 2019
AGSP Athlete Since: 2012

Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Browns, Indians, and Cavs
Favorite Professional Athlete: Trey Burke, Trent Richardson, Matt Kemp, and Tiger Woods 
Favorite Lift: Back squat
Favorite Movement Skill: Max velocity

When I am not training at AGSP, I am: doing homework, playing outside, watching TV, playing sports, and games.

What are your short-term goals? Be a leader and play high school and college sports.

What are your long-term goals? Be a professional player and be the best person I can be.

How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete? It has made me faster, stronger, and more durable.

CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF JAKE TRAINING AT AGSP!

(we've put them all into one video!)

 

Keep Training!
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance