Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Athlete Spotlight #44) Ian Gilliland

Hello Everyone!
Our next athlete has really stepped up the past few months by working hard in every way - consistency, attention to detail, willingness to learn, being positive, willingness to try something hard. All of his efforts will pay off on the field/court. AGSP can only imagine how good he will be by the time he hits high school! It is time to meet....

Athlete Name: Ian Gilliland
Sport(s):
Baseball, Basketball, Football

Position(s):
Baseball (3rd base), Basketball (shooting guard), Football (nose guard)

School: Tallmadge Middle School
Graduation Year:
2018

AGSP Athlete Since:
March 2012






Favorite Professional Sports Team: Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Browns
Favorite Professional Athlete: Michael Jordan
Favorite Lift: Bench Press
Favorite Movement Skill:
Max Velocity





When I am not training at AGSP, I am: playing basketball.

What are your short-term goals?
To get faster, quicker, and stronger.


What are your long-term goals?
To play high school/college basketball. Then have a job that has something to do with sports.

How has AGSP impacted your performance as an athlete?
I can see improvements with my speed, strength, and athletic stance.


CHECK OUT SOME VIDEO OF IAN TRAINING AT AGSP!
(we've put them all into one video!)


Keep Training! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance

Monday, July 23, 2012

Have you been to Cleveland Basketball School yet?

Hello Everyone!

If you need to improve your  basketball ball-handling skills then you need to check out The Cleveland Basketball School!

Check out this awesome highlight film from CBS's time in Brezile!

CBS is the perfect compliment for AGSP's Basketball Players: get faster, stronger, and more powerful at AGSP and then apply that with the basketball at CBS!

Coach Amanda will be at CBS this Sunday July 29th at 2pm in Brecksville!

Keep Training!
Akron General Sports Performance

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Get to Know Your Coach: Roy Napoli

Hello Everyone!

Athletes at AGSP get to work with the area's best sports performance coaches during their training sessions. Recently I did a Q&A with Coach Roy Napoli, check it out and get to know your coaches better!

Our athletes know you as Coach Roy Napoli, what does Coach Roy like to do outside of making athletes better?
Well, I really enjoy the outdoors, camping far away from busy cities and suburbs. I practice martial arts and like to play guitar and bass guitar for my church, where I teach Sunday School. I spend a lot of time learning to cook new things and love to read, particularly about history.

How did you get started working with athletes?
I was taught the value of strength and conditioning in high school by one of my football coaches, and after tearing my knee up my junior year, I had to find every edge possible to recover from surgery in time for my senior season. I read book after book and scoured the internet for reliable sources of information. After that season ended, my coaches let me apply the knowledge that I had found to our football team, and everything kind of grew from there.

Based on your experience, what is the one, biggest physical skill that today's athlete lacks? How do you address that need?
Oh just one?! Its a toss up between mobility and strength, many athletes are weak where they need strength, and too stiff where they need to be able to move. The hamstrings, glutes, and scapular retractors in particular are the weakest areas I see. At the same time, many athletes cannot move around their thoracic spine or their hips, and together this is limiting their performance and getting them injured. Specific mobility, flexiblity, and strength need attention every session.

You've been a Collegiate Division One Speed, Strength, and Conditioning Coach, how has time at the collegiate level helped your current athletes?
My time working as part of a Division One Strength Staff was invaluable. I learned so many things from the coaches who mentored me it would take an encyclopedia to cover it all. I learned how to train athletes who would play at the professional level, as well as how to help a walk on freshman develop into a contributing player for their team.

What do you like most about working with athletes?
I enjoy the process of an athlete's growth. One of the most rewarding experiences I have had was introducing a7th grader to a strength and conditioning program, and working with that athlete through signing day to play for a division one program six years later. Just like watching an athlete, who was a walk on freshman, make meaningful plays on the field/court four or five years later, knowing all the hard work they put in in the weightroom getting stronger and faster was paying off.

What advice would you give today's athlete?
Set goals and continue to work towards those goals. Make training a part of your life and stick with it, through ups and downs, eventually you will get where you want to go. Most of all remember to HAVE FUN!

Thanks Coach Roy for your great energy and great coaching!

Keep Training!

Akron General Sports Performance

Friday, July 6, 2012

Walsh Jesuit Baseball Showcase for the Cure

Hello Everyone!

Wanted to share this really nice comment from Walsh Jesuit Head Baseball Coach, Chris Kaczmar. AGSP was again the title sponsor of this year's Showcase and it was an honor to be apart of such a world-class event!


"A WORD OF THANKS TO COACH AMANDA KEPHART AND AGSP: What a fantastic addition you were to our entire day Coach Amanda again this year! From your great camp sessions, to the most professional warm up, to the overall encouragement and the way you truly augmented our day in so many ways. Thank you to both you and Akron General Sports Performance for your generous sponsorship, for continuing to take such good care of our athletes. We wish you nothing but continued success and I encourage all of our players and prospects to seek out Coach Amanda if anyone is interested in high quality training and elite level performance."


To be the best, train with the best! 
Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance