Team Ignition NFL Summer Preseason Training: Day 3

Thursdays at Ignition during the next few weeks for our NFL guys will include work on the Woodway, what we'll refer to as "Woodway Thursday". In addition to the Woodway training, the guys also went through a lift which included chain bench. Coach Clif says, "The purpose of chains for the bench press is to build explosive power off you chest as well as to help you feel the "finish" the lockout of the lift. The chains also add an element of stabilization for your shoulders on the lift. This is a great football specific movement specifically for linemen as it relates to what they do in a game. The chain bench will be used in our 4 week pre season cycle on Thursdays."

Below are pictures of Bengals' Geno Atkins and Cowboys' Nate Livings demonstrating chain bench:

Geno Atkins

Nate Livings

Team Ignition NFL Summer Preseason Training: Day 2

Day 2 was full of great work for the lower body, including sled pulls/pushes, a sand workout and lower body lift.

One of the exercises in the lower body lift was the single leg squat. Coach Ben explains that this is an example of unilateral training. The single leg squat is low risk, high reward and works both movers and stabilizers. This type of squat promotes good mobility in joints, as well as helping to identify asymmetries.

Take a look at the workout Coach Ben put the guys through leading up to the lift:

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

Team Ignition NFL Summer Preseason Training: Day 1

Today marked Day 1 of our NFL Summer Offseason Training here at Ignition APG. The group included players from the Bengals, Jets, Colts, and Cowboys including Geno Atkins, John Conner, Nate Livings, Brandon McKinny, Riley Dunlop, Abdul Hodge and Tyjuan Hagler.

One of the exercises in the workout today was neck. Coach Clif Marshall says that the neck is a top priority at Ignition because of all the concussions, etc today, we want to prepare our athletes for the demands of the game. Neck exercises reduce the risk of concussions, and train muscles as shock absorbers but it is often times the forgotten muscle in training facilities. Below are some pictures from the neck exercises in today's workout, but other ways to train the neck are shrugs and face pulls.

Coach Clif explaining the importance of working the neck muscles.

Abdul Hodge  

Riley Dunlop 

Brandon McKinny of the Indianapolis Colts

Check out some other pictures from Day 1:

Pictures from today are also available on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/IgnitionAPG

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7

Team Ignition to Play Coach Calapari's Dominican National Team

Ignition APG, an athletic sports performance group based in Mason, Ohio, and its sponsored Team Ignition will host the Dominican Republic National Team, led by University of Kentucky coach John Calipari, in a two game exhibition series at The Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. The games are scheduled for June 12 and June 13 at 8pm Team Ignition is comprised of NBA D-League players and is coached by current NBA draft consultant Mark Morefield of the New Orleans Hornets. The Dominican Republic National Team is gearing up for a matchup with Team USA this summer before playing in the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Tickets are general admission seating and all tickets are available at the ticket office of Northern Kentucky University or www.ticketmaster.com. A portion of proceeds will go to benefit the Calipari Foundation. $12 for single game seats $20 for both games You can also join Coach Cal’s mobile network. Text: CAL to: 78601 to enter to win basketball and shoes signed by Coach Cal. Article published by: http://www.wkyt.com/sports/headlines/Cals_Dominican_team_to_play_exhibitions_157658545.html?ref=545

Bengals Utililzing the Ignition Hand Combat Program

During the off-season, a lot of time is spent in the weight room getting stronger, and on the field getting faster. Both are very important, but it is also imperative as a football player to become a tactician with your hands. Head Strength Coach, Chip Morton, understood the importance of hand combat for football players and wanted to incorporate it into his program. He asked Coach Ben Creamer to travel down to Paul Brown Stadium during the Bengals 5 week off-season program to train the players in hand-to-hand combat. The program consisted of various techniques and principles from Wing Chun Kung Fu, Boxing, and Judo. These techniques, however, are not purely martial arts, but bridge the gap between martial arts and football. Twice a week, players from various positions learned how to effectively control an opponent by understanding the ranges of combat and how to use momentum and joint control against someone. The program was tailored to each position so the skills learned can be practically applied to the playing field. Wide receivers learned how to get around a DB trying to jam them, defensive lineman and linebackers learned various moves to get around or overcome an offensive lineman, and offensive lineman learned how to keep an opponent in front of them.

Local High School Seniors Using Ignition to Prep for D1 College Strength & Conditioning Programs

Cincinnati is known for producing great athletes and is a recruiting hotbed for college coaches throughout the country. More than 25 High School Seniors whom have signed Division 1 and 1AA athletic scholarships have been hard at work this Spring at Ignition. A program entitled 4.2 that launched in March was designed to train high level athletes in preparation for the rigorous demands of a college strength and conditioning program. "The goal is to have each athlete ready for their respective college strength and conditioning programs when they report in the summer as true freshmen. In addition to the performance program we implement, we take a look at each athletes manual and incorporate the exercises they will do with their strength coaches. We want them to be ahead of the game when they step on campus " said Performance Director Clif Marshall who worked with in coming freshmen athletes when he was on the staff at the University of Louisville. Athletes from the following Universities participated: Xavier Cincinnati Ohio State Miami Oh Akron Kent State Toledo Indiana Georgia Alabama Illinois Virginia Indiana State Tennessee Tech Tennessee Chattanooga Army Michigan State Emory Western Carolina Morehead State We wish all athletes the best as they report to their respective schools. Press on towards the goal. (Phil 3:14)

Ignition Presents at the Marvin Lewis Coaching Clinic

Performance Director Clif Marshall and Performance Specialist Brett Kies presented to more than 125 coaches at the Marvin Lewis Coaches Clinic on June 2nd at Paul Brown Stadium. The presentation entitled "Play Fast" was designed to teach coaches effective acceleration and deceleration drills that can be utilized in a team session. Team Ignition was honored to be a part of another great clinic put on by Marvin Lewis. Pictured are Coaches Clif Marshall and Brett Kies teaching at the clinic and on the field at Paul Brown Stadium