Do you have a New Year's Fitness Resolution?

Free Fitness & Performance Classes to help with your New Year's Resolution

FREE WORKOUTS
Want to get in shape, but not sure how to do it?

Need help with your New Year's Resolution of "getting in shape?"

Want some speed training?

Then take advantage of our FREE FITNESS & PERFORMANCE TRAINING CLASSES, one week only!

Arkansas Sports Performance Center wants you to start your New Year's Resolution off right with a FREE workout!

**We are offering 5 days of free workouts starting daily at 6am until 6pm, January 4th-January 8th

**YOU MUST RESERVE A SPOT IN ADVANCE...call us at 501-539-FAST or email us.

**One of our Performance Coaches will lead each workout to ensure proper form and technique

**We will also offer FREE SPORTS INJURY EVALUATIONS. Call for more details on this service.
After the free workout, we will develop your own personal workout plan for you to do either on your own or with us!


Speed Training: Buy 2, get 1 Free


Looking to do speed training? If 2 athletes sign up for a training program at regular price, then the 3rd athlete & program is free!
This is a GREAT way to get some friends together & train.

Limited time only---offer expires January 15th, 2010.


(*total price can be calculated for each to reflect free program)



Remember, no matter your sport or fitness goals, we have all of the resources to help you get there. And your program is just that--your program.

One size does not fit all, it fits one.


BJ Maack, ATC, CSCS
Arkansas Sports Performance Center

A Proud Member of the Athletic Republic

Priorities

The sports world is buzzing with yesterday's news of Florida's Urban Meyer's sudden resignation. I was enjoying a day-after Christmas dinner with my family when I saw the news...when I called everyone's attention to it, there was this common sense of disbelief around the room. "What? Not this guy!" "Why would he do that? He has 2 national championships in only 5 years!" "Wonder if Petrino's headed there..." (that last one has nothing to do with this post...just laughed at the thought!)

So what is this guy thinking? Coach Meyer offered up the explanantion that he was walking away for health reasons. There is a great summary of the story here.

Makes me pause to think as well. I mean, what more could Cach Meyer accomplish? He saw that the job was taking away from his life! He was missing time with his family. I don't know about his personal faith, but I can surmise that it played a role in his decision.

Will he coach again? Probably, but that's not the point of this post. I would just encourage you to take a personal inventory now about your job...about your sport....about your schoolwork....take an inventory of anything that seems to be taking up WAY too much space in your life. Ask yourself if there is anything getting in the way of your faith...of your family....of your health. If you can be honest with yourself, and listen to that voice inside of you, are your priorities out of sync? Are you sacrificing the best things in life in order to experience the 2nd-best things?

Your health is your decision....don't take it for granted. Your family is your gift....don't take it for granted. Your personal faith is your true heartbeat....don't take it for granted.

Re-evaluate your life.

Recent News

I want to take moment to recap some news about some of our athletes here at Arkansas Sports Performance Center / Athletic Republic.

1. Jae Tucker (basketball, Little Rock Christian Academy) signed her letter of intent to play at Arkansas Tech University! Click here for more news & video on this!

2. Davis Ward (baseball, Little Rock Christian Academy) signed his letter of intent to play at Ouachita Baptist University (NCAA d-II)!

3. Tanner Bailey (baseball, Little Rock Christian Academy/Texarkana Community College) signed his letter of intent to play at the University of Mississippi!

4. There are over 25 athletes on the rosters of the four division one football schools in Arkansas (ASU, UCA, UAPB, & UA)

5. 2nd round of the playoffs in Arkansas high school football (1st round for class 3a)reveals over 50 ASPC athletes leading the top teams to the next round!

6. Michael Dyer (football, Little Rock Christian Academy) became the all-time leading rusher in the state this fall! He has over 7,400 yards in his high school career!

7. Looking at our college basketball rosters, we have 8 of our athletes represented!

8. Tyrell Johnson (Rison, Ark. State--Minnesota Vikings) is the starting strong safety for the first-place Vikings, and currently has 40 tackles!

9. Darren McFadden (Oak Grove, UA---Oakland Raiders) has been battling some injuries but is still a major part of the Raiders' offense!

10. College World Series participant Arkansas Razorbacks had a lot of contributions from ASPC athlete Drew Smyly!

11. Worked with Jennie Finch Softball Camp this fall!

12. Reggie Arnold (LR McClellan, Arkansas State) is bidding to become just the 8th player in NCAA Division One to rush for over 1000 yards in 4 straight seasons!

13. Young triathlete Logan Gartin has had an impressive year! Read this!

14. Tennis Recap: ASPC athletes Mario Martinez & Julio Olaya battled each other for the state overall tennis finals! Mario was in his second straight finals...Julio won this year, as a freshman! Also, in the girls' division, our own Rebecca Bailey won the Girls' Title!

We are very proud of these young people, and are blessed to be able to serve them!

bj

Play For Hope!

We are happy to announce a drive for used sports equipment for the kids of Rwanda! Play For Hope, a sports-based organization that ministers to kids in Rwanda will be the recipient of what we collect here at ASPC. Just bring in your "gently used" sports equipment to us here at Arkansas Sports Performance Center. (map)

Play For Hope's vision is for long term, sustainable sports growth that brings holistic ministry to the youth of Rwanda and provides children with professional level coaching.

More info about Play For Hope.

Due to what sports Play For Hope targets, we request that you limit your donations to the following equipment list:

Basketballs
Soccer balls
Jerseys (preferably matching)
Turf shoes, basketball/athletic shoes, cleats (especially turf shoes)
Cones
Ball pumps


If you have equipment for other sports (like football & baseball/softball) bring it to me & I will get it to a local needy organization.


If You Bring In Some Equipment .....


.......then we want to say THANKS!!!

If you bring in some equipment before Dec. 17, and sign up for a training program, you get 20% off!

Ask us about details!

"Man, I Gotta Do Something..."

In my line of work, I hear this phrase a lot. It usually is preceded by a few sentences describing this person's current physical condition, or an athlete's lack of speed or strength. The conversation goes something like this:

"I haven't done any exercise in months, and it's really starting to show around my waist."

OR

"I was fast 2 years ago but now I have lost a step or two."


For both of these instances the very next phrase out of their mouth is: "I have to do something to change this." Well, congrats....you have taken the first step. It's sort of like a person with an addiction problem; it is extremely important to come to the realization that you have to make a change in your life. So, for these examples, they have already taken the first step....that is, to make both a mental & verbal decision to take some action.

In response to their phrase "I gotta do something", I like to encourage them that, in fact, they already have done something---they have gone to someone to help them start addressing their issues. So, step one is out of the way. Now it becomes my job to help them along in the next progression of steps.

I encourage anyone---be it the soccer player who needs more speed, the baseball player who needs to throw harder, the weekend runner who needs to get in better shape----to make the first effort to "do something." Let's take the average person who is just wanting to improve their physical condition. Do some simple things like:

* Take the stairs instead of the elevator
* Park farther away in the parking lot
* Eat smaller portions & eat more frequently
* Take an evening walk---even for 10 minutes

Now, let's look at athletes training for a particular sport:

* Do extra sprints
* Every night do 1-3 rounds of 10 no-weight squats, 10 push-ups, 5-10 pull-ups, and 20 sit-ups.
* Stretch your muscles whenever you can

These examples are the most basic, simple steps one can take. If you do these already & want to go to the next level, get in touch with someone who is qualified to help you. I would recommend someone certified by the NATA or the NSCA. Find someone who can help you go to the next level.

Remember, when you get to the point of realizing that you need to do something, anything is better than nothing. Get moving people. Inaction is what hinders people, not action.

November 2, 2009 WORLD SERIES--ARKANSAS

Tonight is a big deal for the state of Arkansas. Let's all think about the biggest moments in sports for the Natural State---in no particular order. (and I welcome any omissions you suggest):

1. National Championships for college sports (Razorback football, basketball, etc.)

2. Jermain Taylor as world boxing champ

3. John Daly's golfing championships

4. Cliff Lee winning Cy Young last year


So let's examine the magnitude of tonight's World Series Game 5. Arkansas boys AJ Burnett (NLR/CAC) & Cliff Lee (Benton) are squaring off. Both have had great major league careers: last year Cliff (link to his bio) won the American League Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the American League...AJ Burnett (link to his bio) is part of a formidable Yankees rotation, and has a no-hitter under his belt.

With a great performance tonight by Burnett, the Yankees could clinch their 27th World Series title. But, Lee, as the Phillies ace, could be the spark to get the Phillies back into the Series. Both had dominating performances in their last outing.

Tonight, this is the biggest stage in baseball. It is rather amazing that they are both from the central Arkansas area---growing up about 30 minutes apart. It is also amazing that they have the same agent, Darek Braunecker!

Having known both of these pitchers, I am very proud of what they have accomplished over their careers. This is a big night!

Transition of the Sports Seasons--BASEBALL & SOFTBALL COMING SOON

As we rapidly approach the end of October, it brings us to an interesting point of the year. Football is coming to a close for youth teams, while high school & college are either at or just past the midpoint. Volleyball is in tournament mode, as their seasons are winding down.

On a bigger scale, I love this time of year because you have: post-season MLB, the NFL & college football are in full swing, and basketball is about here. There is no shortage of sports around here!!

So what's the point?


For those whose sports are either not in-season or are coming to a close real soon: after taking some time to let your body recover, you really need to start thinking about what to do now. Were you happy with your performance this past season? What are you doing to get ready for next season? As referenced in an earlier blog (see below), it's important to always be looking at what you can be doing better instead of just relying on your strengths.

In particular, baseball & softball players need to be using this time of the year to commit 6-8 weeks to work on their game. Do you need to be faster? What's your arm strength like right now? Having trouble exploding out of the box to run down the line? These are all things that are good to look at.....and now is the best time to start correcting these issues. Don't wait until February---it will be too late then.


THINGS BASEBALL & SOFTBALL PLAYERS NEED TO FOCUS ON:

SPEED: you need to be able to perform for that scout timing you, as well as getting around the bases. I had one baseball player who, after he finished training, was playing in a game & hit a ball to the shortstop. He knew he had hit a easy grounder for a sure out, but like you all do, ran it out anyway. To his surprise, he heard the umpire call "SAFE!" as he hit the bag. He didn't even have to think about it & his speed had improved!! Another player told me that he was able to get the extra base in a game that he NEVER would have gotten before. So, bottom line, YOU NEED SPEED!!

TRUNK: like all athletes, you have to have a strong core---note, not a strong six-pack; these are USELESS for athletes if you are not functionally strong---but baseball & softball players have to pay special attention to this area in order to perform. It helps with hitting & throwing. You need explosive hips in order to be good out there on the field.

THROWING: Listen up: the human arm was not designed to throw overhead repeatedly. So we have to do extra things to make it last through a season. This doesn't just mean to do a few sets of tubing exercises----it means an extensive, head-to-toe throwing program to best utilize your entire body to perform the act of throwing.


I welcome any & all comments regarding baseball & softball training.....I have been around baseball my entire life, spending almost 15 years as batboy & clubhouse boy for the Arkansas Travelers, then 6 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals as an athletic trainer. So I love all discussion about the game. Hit me with any questions!

My thoughts on the Arkansas-Florida game

Just in case anyone cares (ummm, probably not, but I will do this anyway)

* Great effort by the Hogs: they keep improving & improving, especially on defense.
* Florida loses without Tebow: I have even more respect for this guy. He is a winner. The rest of the team is questionable regarding #1 status. Depending on their effort tonight, I like Bama as the best team in the country.
*Brandon Spikes: not sure Arkansas does as well as they did running the ball with him off the field for Florida
*Tejada: yeah, he missed 2 FGs. Arkansas had other chances to score (Mallet's inaccuracy for one thing). Florida's kicker missed also. It's tough not to point the finger at him, but let's be careful.
*Refs: I try to stay away from the "The Refs Are on the Gators Payroll" argument. But it's real hard in this case. I am reminded of how Michael Jordan always got away with calls when he played. I think this is entirely possible that it plays out in other sports & leagues.

What's next for Arkansas? look for a group of confident, highly-motivated, vastly improved & angry Hogs to go on a tear from here on out. It looks very promising for a strong finish to the season.


Athletic thoughts: very impressed today with Dennis Johnson. His has an incredible combination of strength & speed. He can shed tacklers just from his size alone. I wonder if his small steps are holding him back even more. Maybe his hip flexors are too tight....who knows. But I genuinely think he can be an even better athlete with some work.

Ryan Mallet's arm strength is just amazing. That TD pass he threw was off the wrong leg. Incredible.

Jake Bequette has become the most-improved player on defense. What an incredible first-step.


Not sure right know about the Razorback's injuries right now....will try to find out.

Athletic Trainers in our Schools

I want to take this opportunity to get on my soapbox. It's really time to do something.

Have you ever watched a professional or college sporting event on TV and seen an athlete go down with an injury? They lay there on the field or court, writhing in pain, until a couple of people wearing fanny packs or something come sprinting out to them & immediately begin to assess the damage. These people start to figure out what's wrong with the athlete, and begin a course of care right there on the spot that, hopefully, leads to minimizing any further damage & getting that athlete back to playing again as soon as possible. So, who are these people?

If it's a TV game, there is probably a sports medicine physician out there, and that's a great thing. But the odds are very good that one of these people is a certified athletic trainer, an allied healthcare provider whose medical training ensures that they are there for the athlete & their injuries. Read more about the profession of athletic training here. Ask any athlete in the professional or collegiate ranks who has been injured & they will say that they are glad that there is a medical professional on hand for them at all times---not just for games, but also for practices & travel time.

Now, let's shift our focus to the high school ranks. Imagine yourself at a game, and the scenario described above happens....a player goes down, and....who runs out there to tend to them? Picture that being your son or daughter....you want to know "Who is the person giving immediate care to my kid?" Or does anyone run out there at all?

In the state of Arkansas, LESS THAN 12 school districts employ their athletic trainer....out of 271! This number is staggering. Some schools contract out with a local medical group or hospital to provide an athletic trainer. This is good, but what if their employer wants to do put them at another school in the area, or what if they eliminate that position to save funds?? We spend millions of dollars on coaches, turf fields, and indoor practice facilities---please note, I am in 100% favor of these things, as long as there is also education going on!---but no one can seem to find funds for one or two qualified medical professionals who can:

1. Prevent Injuries
2. Lower Medical Costs & Insurance Premiums
3. Provide Rehabilitation Services
4. Administer First Aid Care
5. Ensure a Higher Level of Medical Care for Student-Athletes


What's wrong with this picture? Why don't more schools have an athletic trainer? Read this great article on this topic.

Ask your athletic director why your kids don't have a higher standard of care....ask your school board where your athletic trainer is.....demand it. Ask your legislator why every school doesn't have an athletic trainer? It's NOT a luxury, it's a necessity. In today's litigious society, a school really can't afford NOT to have an athletic trainer on hand at all times, for all student-athletes.


BJ Maack,ATC, LAT, CSCS
President
Arkansas Athletic Trainers' Association

For more information:

National Athletic Trainers Association
Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association

What Are You Training For?

In the business of training athletes, I am often approached with this general line of question: "Can you help me (or my child) get faster/stronger/better?" This general question is easily answered with a general answer of "Yes." But if you really want to help someone who asks you a question, sometimes it is better to answer a question with a question. So I usually avoid the general "Yes" answer and replace it with a question back to them. Something along the lines of: "What exactly do you do & want to improve?"

The point of this is to get the athlete to focus on exactly what the goals are. One of the best quotes that is relevant here goes like this:

"If you don't know where you are going, you will never get there."

If you want to improve your game, it is vital that you look at yourself and ask: "What am I NOT good at?" Be honest. What areas do you feel are not your strengths? What are your weaknesses? By starting here, you then can get a better handle on how to improve. A baseball player may have outstanding speed running the bases, but they have a poor first-step getting out of the box. He needs to focus on making his feet quicker & more reactive. A basketball player may be able to shoot the ball lights-out, but she isn't effective going to her left while dribbling. So she needs to spend more time with ball-handling skills.

Are you training to get better at one sport, or just a better overall fitness standard? Is your goal to make the varsity next year, or just to enjoy the sport? Do you want to drop your running time? If so, have a goal in mind---BE SPECIFIC WITH YOUR GOALS!! Write them down where you can see them...make them a part of your everyday routine.

So, for performance training, when meeting an athlete for the first time, we try to drill down into the most appropriate physical skills needed. We do an initial assessment & test session to see where they are, then look at the areas where we can make the most improvement. This way, we maximize our time & energy with the athlete. If they have blazing, God-given speed, then we want to focus more on their first-step or start....or train them to be more explosive with their hips. The point is that the athlete needs to be doing a training program that fits them & their unique set of physical ability, not a general training program that only gets a little bit of improvement out of them.

Remember, one size does not fit all in this business...it fits ONE.

The Fade of Summer = The Start of Fall Sports

So, if you are in the same mindset as me, you are slowly realizing that the summer is drawing to a close, especially if you are a high school or college athlete. Practices are about to kick off full-steam ahead, and there is no stopping it. Hopefully, if you are one of these athletes, you have been taking some steps this summer to prepare. Gone are the days of using football two-a-days to get IN shape: you better show up ALREADY in shape. If you don't, someone might just take your spot because the coaches will clearly see which athlete took the time to prepare and which athlete just took it for granted.

Here at Arkansas Sports Performance Center, we have had a great summer with an outstanding group of dedicated athletes who really worked hard this summer. We had a few teams & school groups training together, as well as several new & returning individual athletes. It was so fun to see the competition between current teammates & future opponents in here, all working toward the same goal: to be better than when they first walked in the door. I also enjoyed seeing different ages all getting individual attention....it was not uncommon to see a 10 year old football player next to a college basketball player in here, each getting the work that they require at their level, but then to see that older athlete build into & encourage the younger athlete. We are not just training for physical performance in here---we build confidence!

It was also exciting to see some returning athletes---namely NFL players Tank Daniels of the Philadelphia Eagles & Darren McFadden of the Oakland Raiders. Both returned to ASPC to build on what they had done with us before but also to get the extra steps needed to prepare for training camp. They always took the time to talk to the other athletes in here & sign autographs. Two great guys....

Allow me to put on my sports medicine/athletic trainer hat here for a second if you are an athlete about to start school. There are some things you need to be aware of.

1. HYDRATION: take the time to beat the heat! Drink extra water throughout the day, even when you are not practicing. Monitor your body weight to see if there is excessive weight loss after a hot & sweaty practice. Make sure your urine color is not too dark. Avoid or restrict your caffeine intake.

2. MRSA (staph infection): if you are going to be in & out of a locker room, weight room, or gym, take the time to wash your hands thoroughly. Don't share towels or wet clothing. ANY cut or wound--clean it & keep it covered. Use a cleaning agent like Hibiclens.

Seek out the advice of an athletic trainer or other healthcare professional for any issue. Don't let something minor turn into something major & derail your season. You have worked too hard this summer to let something preventable like MRSA or heat illness set you back.

FANTASY FOOTBALL & INJURIES

 

I have to admit: I enjoy fantasy sports, namely football & baseball. It is a great way to stay connected, both to the game, and frankly, it just gives me & my friends something to talk about. You know men….it's tough to just make small talk. But throw in a topic of where you might be drafting or which running back is out for 3 weeks because of a pinky toe injury, and we can talk for hours. Which brings me to the point of this blog……if you are into fantasy football, it is probably getting close to draft time. There are some high-profile players with injury concerns, and I want to take a moment & apply my area of vocational expertise to these injuries. Maybe these will help you…maybe not. Either way, let me state right now that I am not responsible for you using this info & your draft choice tanking!

Let me know if you have any specific questions about these or other players by commenting on the post!

 

NAME	POSITION	TEAM	INJURY	PROGNOSIS
Tom Brady	QB	New England	ACL/MCL	Despite post-surgical complications, Brady is having a terrific rehab. Reports coming out of camp is that is looking like the Brady of old, and until he demonstrates otherwise, you have no reason to pass on him if he is available. He still has a great team around him. It is his plant (left leg) but he should be fine.
Darren McFadden	RB	Oakland	Turf Toe	I think he has the worst of this behind him…he now sees what it takes to play at the NFL level, and has taken the steps needed to get his body ready. I see no reason to have any concerns about this injury for the 2009 season. I have more concerns about the Raiders as a team, but that's another story.
Felix Jones	RB	Dallas	Toe	Another ex-Hog with a toe injury…hmmmm. The difference here is that Felix actually had surgery on his toe. While he had some toe issues in college & played through them, this one gives me pause. I personally would wait & not draft him high…there's also the non-injury issue of splitting time with Barber.
Brian Westbrook	RB	Philadelphia	Ankle/Knee	Lots of factors going against him here: he is almost 30, creaky knee, now a creaky ankle. This one also gives me personal angst, as I have to decide if I want to protect him on my team. I think he will still be a serviceable #2 RB but don't expect typical Westbrook numbers this year.
Anquan Boldin	WR	Arizona	Jaw	Devastating hit last year…but I would not hesitate one bit this guy. Maybe not a team player but a hard-nosed competitor.
Carson Palmer	QB	Cincinnati	Elbow	This is the same-type injury that affects many pitchers, but Carson did not require surgery. He also did not get hurt throwing the ball, but it was a contact injury. I think he will not have any issues with throwing the ball this year. Now, to whom is another issue.
Antonio Gates	TE	San Diego	Ankle/Toe	This combination of injuries gives me pause. Due to where he is in his rehab schedule, I can't see him being the Antonio Gates of old for the first part of the season.

Tips to Gain Weight

It is critical to athletes, especially those wanting to attain success at the next level, to reach or maintain a certain weight. Think about the importance of being a certain size on the football field, or a wrestler trying to stay in a certain weight class.

Many athletes we work with here have a common goal: they want to gain weight. This counteracts what most folks want to do when it comes to monitoring their diet---they want to LOSE weight. Dieters go after a specific plan (South Beach, etc.) and follow it. But unfortunately, athletes who need to gain weight usually just follow this plan: eat more.

While this will help some, it is never enough. Like anything else, if you don't know where you are going & how to get there, you will never get there. So I encourage athletes wanting to gain weight to get a plan.

Tips:
* Schedule a daily eating plan: Breakfast, snack, lunch, pre-workout, post-workout, dinner, snack.
* Monitor calories: look at the label & see where you are getting the extra calories from---it should be a nice balance from carbs, protein, & fat. Also count the calories to make sure you are getting enough during the day
* Work more, eat more: If you increase your exercise intensity, you have to increase your caloric intake
* No naked bread: spread something on rolls, toast, bagels, etc. This is an easy way to get more calories.

There are several other things to do, and we can discuss more in-depth, but the point is to HAVE A PLAN in order to gain weight. Don't just assume that an extra helpign at dinner will do it.


**Disclaimer: I am not a registered dietitian, so any nutritional advice offered here is from my own personal experience & certification. Tips gained from Scarlett Goad, RD & Kelli Kostelnik, RD

No More 2-a-Days?

So it's not even July and here in Arkansas we are flirting with the triple-digit mark on the thermometer. Nice to think of what July & August will bring us.

Last week I attended the National Athletic Trainers Association's (NATA) Annual Meeting in San Antonio. This educational session & trade show brought over 9000 of my colleagues together to learn the "latest & greatest" in sports medicine. An interesting item that was announced last week was the call for the reduction or elimination of 2-a-day football practices for high school football players in August. A report issued by the NATA outlined the dangers of the grueling training sessions and noted 39 heat related football deaths since 1995.

While this is just a position statement and cannot be enforced, it does bring up some interesting points. Read them here.

Highlights of the recommendations:
1. A 14-day acclimatization period---during the 1st 5 days athletes can only practice once per day
2. A total of 3 hours per day
3. Recovery periods
4. The recommendation that a certified athletic trainer be on hand to monitor both climate conditions & the athletes' conditions

Several other groups collaborated with the NATA on this consensus statement: American College of Sports Medicine, Gatorade Sports Science Institute, National Strength and Conditioning Association, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and American Academy of Pediatrics.

OK...so there will be (& already has been) a lot of push-back from this. Many coaches are saying that since they have an athletic trainer (AT) at practices, then they are OK because they listen to what they say. Others say this is not needed because they take precautions & grant access to water. All of this is good. But these aren't 100% guarantees that there will be no heat-related issues.

Coaches say they need twice-daily practices to get their teams ready for a grueling season. I would tend to agree...however, times are different for the typical high school football player. Football is now a 12 month sport: 10-plus games in the fall, followed by off-season lifting/walk-throughs, then there is spring football. Summer rolls around and there are camps, clinics, and 7-on-7 games/tourneys. Now you are right back at 2-a-days. Couple all of this with extra speed/strength training on their own (obviously I highly endorse this!), or other sports, and, well, they are busy! My point is that the average high school player SHOULD be in better shape than the average player 10 years ago. So, I throw this out.....are two weeks of 2-a days still needed? A coach would like as much practice time as they can get, and I don't blame them for this. But, are some schools still doing 2-a-days just because "that's what we have always done"?

Times are different than just a few years ago.....that warrants a reassessment of the status quo. Is there a better way? Are today's athletes at more risk for heat illness?

Special Speed/Strength Training Program for the "Dead Weeks"

Arkansas Sports Performance Center is offering a special training plan designed to help athletes maintain their level of summer workouts during the mandatory "Dead Week" period of June 21-July 4. As you know, student-athletes are not allowed to do any workouts at school during this time. This special condensed program is a great opportunity to maintain & improve levels of strength & conditioning.

A total of ten (10), 1 1/2-2 hour workouts, engineered to work smarter, not harder
Choose workout times: 10am, 2pm or 6pm
Sport specific with lots of one-on-one attention
Only $175!
Improve your speed & strength in 2 weeks!
Build for the rest of the summer!
GET IN SHAPE FOR TWO-A-DAYS!
Official ASPC Gear T-shirt included!
You must schedule to reserve a spot!

We are only offering this to a limited number of athletes, as we don't want to disrupt our commitment to provide as much individual attention as possible.

Call today! 501-539-FAST (3278)
www.arsportsperformance.com
go to info@arsportsperformance.com to reserve your spot

Combine Results!

You should have received an email from Athletic Republic with your username & password...please let us know if you did not receive it.

Athletes: your times will not be made public via a master results list until Monday morning (April 27th). You have until then to notify us if you want a number scratched.

COMBINE RESULTS

We are working as hard as we can to get the results from Saturday's Combines in the books. Please be patient.....as soon as we are finished (within a few days) access information will be emailed out to participants.

I really appreciate everyone's patience as we dealt with the weather & some technology issues. All in all, it was a good day with some fast times registered!

Easter weekend closing

Please note:

We will be closing Friday at noon, as well as all of Saturday to mark the Easter weekend.

We will resume again Monday the 13th. Please call us at 501-539-3278 to set up appointments.

Planning Season

April is now officially here, and in full swing. For me personally, April brings a plethora of activities and events. I told my wife the other day that if I can just get through this month I will feel like I can breathe a little bit. Not to be self-indulgent here, but here is a quick recap of life for me: Bear with this------there is a point to this rambling coming up soon.

• Just finished up a Football University (FBU) event in Orlando, FL this weekend.
  
• Two Football Combines on April 18th
  
• Arkansas Athletic Trainers Association state meeting April 24-26 in Hot Springs
  
• Daily "running the business" stuff
  
• Giving due time to my family
  

 

So what BJ, everyone's busy? Why are you singling yourself out?

 

Good question!

 

Here's what I have learned about this month of April (& beyond): if I can be disciplined to focus on specific tasks at hand, ask God for strength to handle these things, & HAVE A PLAN…then things will take care of themselves. I emphasize the last thing about planning for a reason. I write this to my athletes to develop & have a plan. If you are a student-athlete, here's what I mean:

• What are your SPECIFIC goals? Do you want to make the team? Do you want to start? Do you want to overcome an injury? Focus your attention on your own personal goals
  
• Develop the plan. Meeting your goals must involve a planning process. Does your goal involve improving your physical conditioning? Or a specific task like getting faster?
  
• Tell someone about your plan: if you have accountability, that person has permission to ask you if you have done the work needed to meet your goal. They won't let you sleep in instead of going to work out.
  

 

I have started this similar process when trying to meet the demands of my schedule and attending to these various projects. It has helped me stay on task. If you are an athlete looking ahead to your next season, don't wait to start your achieving your goals. You have to be proactive!

 

Nothing happens without some action! Who's working SMARTER right now? You, or your competition?

 

 

OTHER NOTES:

• Major League Baseball opened another season today. With all of the off-season distractions, I am happy to see baseball being played again on this stage!
  
• Spring Football for high school: soon, we get to hear the pads rattling again! I hope that all of my guys who have been working hard with me since the end of their season will see the benefits!
  
• Speaking of planning...summer is coming soon. If you are thinking of getting in some speed & agility training with us, go ahead & reserve your spot soon! Don't wait!
  
• If you are interested in attending the Open Football Combine, go to www.arsportsperformance.com to register
  
• DEEP SNAPPERS CLINIC: Saturday, May 9…we are hosting a special clinic to teach the art of deep snapping a football! Email me for more information: bjmaack@arsportsperformance.com
  

 

Let’s Get Reacquainted….

Ok, so it's been a while since I've done this. A really long time. I have had an Outlook Task Item called "Update Blog" yell at me every week or so for the last 5-6 weeks. I keep ignoring him. But no more….

 

Let's get caught up on some things. I will go back to right after Christmas & try to get back to current days.

 

1. U.S. Army All- American Bowl Week: During the week after Christmas, I had the privilege of serving as one of the athletic trainers* for the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. The purpose of this bowl is to showcase the top senior football players in the country in the AlamoBowl, nationally televised by NBC. What an amazing week! I was totally blown away by the magnitude of the whole event. The entire downtown of ol' San Antone was draped in banners & the like, all promoting the game. First-class operation! I was honored to work with some fine local athletic trainers to help these kids get the best possible care for their injuries as well as normal taping & stretching duties.
   

   
    

   I was down there as a part of the affiliation I have with Athletic Republic (the international sports training network that ASPC is a proud member of). We as a team not only assisted with the sports medicine care for the athletes, but we were responsible for the athletic testing for the Army National Combine, as well as other various Football University events (www.footballuniversity.org)
   

   
    

   Being a proud Arkansan, it was neat to work with Razorback signees Darius Winston of Helena-West Helena & Ronnie Wingo of St. Louis. I also made this observation: as I closely follow high school football in Arkansas and now getting to see the nation's BEST high school football players on one field, I can honestly say this: Arkansas high school football talent, while by no means the top of the nation (yet!) is nothing to shun….it is right up there with the likes of Texas, Florida & California. That is exciting to me! Everyone keep working hard!
   

   
    

2. Arkansas Sports Performance Center: Things are really busy at the workplace. Actually, how is work when you get to do what you love? I am blessed to be able to help young men & women get to their full potential—be it for training or for injury rehab. We recently completed some team training for White Hall's football team…about 15 young men made the hour-long trip twice a week to work their tails off. We just saw some amazing results! See www.arkansasvarsity.com for some info on this.
   

   
    

   We are drawing nearer & nearer to finalizing plans for our new facility & location. Central Arkansas will never be the same! I can't wait to dedicate an entire blog post to this announcement!
   

   
    

   The great staff I have the honor of leading just keeps getting better & better…which in turn makes our programs better & better. Thanks to Chris, Jonathan, Zach M, Zach H, Mike & Justin for all you do!
   

   
    

3. FBU: I just got back from working a Football University camp in Houston at Rice University. FBU (Football University) is a series of invitation-only, position-specific weekend camps held all over the country, specifically taught by some of the most distinguished names in professional football. Also as a part of Athletic Republic, I was down there helping with the performance teaching, training & testing of these athletes. Upcoming camps for me: Hattiesburg, MS, Orlando, FL & Columbia, MO. Lots of fun seeing these kids learn & get better.
   

   
    

4. ATHLETIC TRAINING: in addition to helping kids get faster, stronger, etc., I also get to help with injuries & issues affecting the student-athletes of Arkansas. (go to www.swata.org/aata) Find out if your school has access to an athletic trainer. If you don't have one, ask your athletic director, your superintendent, your school board…WHY NOT? Why should a student-athlete be put at risk for injuries just because there is no one qualified at practices & games? Call your legislator to ask for their support for athletic training legislation, both on the national & state levels.
   

   
    

   
    

5. PED: Yet again, performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) have made the headlines. It seems like they are as prevalent in the headlines as the economy! WHY? Well, frankly, because it is a problem. But the problem really doesn't have anything to do with the present (at least in baseball)….it's all about the past. Anyone who gets caught now is just stupid with all of the negative attention these days. Let's be real: cheaters have always looked for a way to gain an advantage…even in the days of the ancient Olympics. A cheater doesn't think it's cheating unless they get caught. Let's also be real about this: baseball has all of the attention with this issue, but EVERY sport has to deal with this issue. I predict that we are a short time away from a steroid scandal rocking the NFL. It's there.
   

   
    

   There are ways to advance in your sport without turning to such things. Hard work for one…but let's consider something else: SMART work. It is possible to work TOO hard, but never possible to work TOO smart. I try to instill in every one of my athletes the importance of doing things smarter & more intelligently than the other guy. Things in this category include: post-workout recovery, applying science to your training method, being sport-specific (if you are a basketball player why train like a football player?), rest, nutrition, and proper strength training. I whole-heartedly believe that if you do these things, you will prevail, and see amazing gains that won't get you in the "POSITIVE" test category for PEDs.
   

   
    

6. FCA Football Combine: Saturday, April 18 marks the oldest & BEST Combine in Arkansas! War Memorial Stadium! This invitation-only event is in its 11 year, and promises to be the best yet. www.fcacombine.com
   

   Look for information coming soon about an OPEN FOOTBALL COMBINE (for anyone!) also held on April 18^th!
   

   
    

   
    

   
    

If you've read this far, I have to say THANK YOU! The purpose of this blog is (supposed) to be a relevant & timely forum for what's going on with the world of athletes in Arkansas. I welcome any & all comments!

I promise to be better about posting…..

 

*Athletic trainer: not to be confused with a personal trainer. www.nata.org Who is taking care of your kids while they play sports?

CLOSED Tuesday afternoon/evening, January 27

Due to the forecast for inclement weather tonight, Arkansas Sports Performance Center will be closed this afternoon & evening. As far as Wednesday goes, check back with us.

info@arsportsperformance.com