Paul Winsper on US Soccer and SPARQ
Are you passionate about soccer? Want to know more about SPARQ’s soccer training and testing philosophy? SPARQ’s Soccer Performance Director, Paul Winsper, can help.
Paul Winsper on the SPARQ Soccer Rating
Paul Winsper on SPARQ Soccer Training
Paul Winsper on the U.S. Soccer SPARQ Dynamic Warm-up
U.S. Soccer Dynamic Warm-Up
U.S. Soccer has partnered […]
2008 Combine Rewind
The 2008 Nike Combine season was epic - 16 combiens crossing the country from Portland, OR to Miami, FL, the Kneeling Power Ball Toss replacing the out-dated Bench Press, and over 16,000 athletes putting their hearts and bodies on the line.
It is impossible to hit all the highlights. Las Vegas-based trainer Mike Waters trained and traveled with 70 athletes to the Los Angeles combine where they snagged three of the top five spots. Max Martinez trained for the new Kneeling Power Ball Toss using an 11kg Power Ball and killed in that test with a 4300 at the Columbus Combine.
Alone On Top - Amanda Freed
What makes one of the top performers in women’s softball spend hours in thh gym alone? SPARQ Magg found out when we spent a few busy days with Amanda Freed.
There aren’t too many more softball mountains for Amanda Freed to climb. And in no way is she slowing down now.
Green Monster - Jacoby Ellsbury
Here’s one way to make a baseball monster: take the speed-blurred legs of Ichiro, the homerun snatching glove of Andruw Jones and the powerful hit-machine core of A-Rod, and hire yourself a deranged doctor by the name of Frnakenstein.
Here’s another way: take a kid with tremendous natural speed, talent, athleticism and motivation and use training to minimize any weakness and maximize his existing athletic potential.
Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is this kind of baseball Monster. Ellsbury blasted a record SPARQ Rating as he prepped for the ‘08 season.
Grooving Austin Longhorns
Basketball is a game of rhythm and flow. When a player gets into a groove, everything flows naturally. Things become second nature. His mind is clear, the hoop seems larger, and every shot he puts up hits nothing but bottoms. Groove is so important that when a shooter goes cold, most coaches encourage him to keep shotting until he is right back in it.
At the University of Texas, getting into a groove isn’t just about shooting - it’s about movement.
Is Bryan Clay the World’s Greatest Athlete?
In March 2008, SPARQ Mag hooked up with Olympic decathlete Bryan Clay to see how he’d compare to some top rated athletes we’ve tested.
Athletes who train and compete to do the decathlon- the 10-sport track & field event that includes 110-meter hurdles, long jump, pole vault, and javelin, among others -are often dubbed the World’s Greatest Athlete. In a recent round of SPARQ Testing, the current world-champion decathlete, Bryan Clay, proved he deserves that lofty title.
Back to Form - AVP Star Nancy Mason Makes Her Biggest Comeback
The 38-year old and her young partner, former Nebraska All-American Jenny Kropp, were ranked No. 10 going into the Huntington Beach open in early May and in the last five years alone Nancy has had 24 podium finishes on the AVP Crocs Tour.
Ask her what is her most proud accomplishment in her long and prolific career and the answer might surprise you. “It would be coming back from back surgery,” she says without hesitation. “and being at this point to compete again.”
Building for the Future - U.S. Soccer
U.S. Soccer is on a mission to change the way young players train and compete. More kids are playing on more teams in more competitive tournaments, but U.S. Soccer believes a focus on wins and losses has shifted the focus on youth play away from player development.
