Playmaker Speed, Agility and Quickness Videos

June 6th, 2011

The Playmaker Speed Training System is designed to teach coaches how to increase their athletes speed, quickness and power in a systematic, progressive and high powered manner. Coaches and trainers are given the drills, how to properly perform the drills, specific ques to insure the athletes perform the drills correctly and the purpose for each drill which is key to athletes buying in to your system. Parents will learn how to supplement their athlete’s sports training using simple ladders, hurdles and cones which are easily available. Athletes will understand how to properly perform drills that previously may have developed poor techniques and form leading to injuries and the lack of speed.

Check it out at www.realplaymaker.mindbites.com I hope you and your athlete(s) benefit from the information provided in these videos.

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Which Sports Will Your Kids Excel In? Look At Their Feet

May 23rd, 2011

While training the high profile athletes is always fun and gets my creative juices going, training young athletes gives me the greatest amount of enjoyment. That’s because the young athlete is where you see the greatest, and most meaningful improvements in performance.

Look at your kids when they run. Take notice of whether their heel strikes the ground first, or whether they run on the front half of their foot. This will give you somewhat of an indication of what sports they will be better at. Now, this certainly not scientific, and is based on my experience. But I see it all the time as I train young athletes and the ones who tend to run flat footed, whereby the heel strikes the ground first, tend to really enjoy long distance sports such as marathons and cross-country and even swimming, and the kids who run on the front part tend to really enjoy the speed-strength sports such as: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, lacrosse, etc.

On more than one occasion, I’ve had a parent, (usually the dad) to stand not too far from me as I train their son or daughter, to watch some of the drills I have their kids doing and how I am correcting some things. When this happens, I will point out one or more of the flaws in the kids running technique.

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For Young Athletes, Coordination Is King.

April 19th, 2011

Coordination is such an important factor in sports. The ability of an individual to place their bodies, arms and legs exactly where they want to is extremely important. The inability to do that means that before they run for speed, for example, they have to process where their feet should be, which arm to start with, which foot should make the first step. The brain is so bogged down with basic information it seems, that running fast almost becomes an afterthought, whereas individuals who have natural coordination, just line up in the right position, and run as fast as they can. Without coordination, cutting, shuffling, and jumping are laborious tasks, which leads to rounding corners and landing in unsafe, injury producing position. www.realplaymaker.com

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About Playmaker Strength & Conditioning

September 28th, 2009

 Hello and Welcome to Playmaker Strengt & Conditioning!

My name is Paul Mitchell, and I have been training athletes and non-athletes alike for over 15 years. I founded Playmaker Strength & Conditioning because I wanted to provide a quality, effective strength and contitioning program to athletes of all ages.

I want to dispel a couple of myths for you:

1) You can’t teach speed.

This is absolutely false! Speed can and is taught everyday. Now, can I teach you to be as fast a Usain Bolt, no. That’s GOD given talent. But can I teach you to be significantly faster than you are today, ABSOULUTELY! That requires a combination of specific strength and power training and proper speed traning techniques.

2) Strength training will stunt young kids growth plates.

Again, absolutely false. In fact, all of the most recent studies reveal that strength training acutally helps kids to grow! The key is having a trainer who understands how to progress a young athlete from basic exercises to weight training exercises appropriate for them.

Please go to www.realpalymaker.com to learn more about the services we provide.

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Fast Is All That Matters, Right?

September 28th, 2009

Who cares how you do the speed drill as long as its done in a quick manner?

Well, I do.

 I recently was invited to join a coaches website to allow parents, athletes and coaches to connect about various aspects of sports training. On the site is a series of videos on speed training using a speed ladder. While the football players chosen to perform the drills performed them with great speed, the movements were horrible, and will in no way transfer to the football field.

Would you rather see the speed drill done quickly, regardless of the technique, or do you want the technique done correctly, but at a slower pace?

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