New tool for athletes’ use

BY WENDI REARDON
Clarkston News Sports Writer
A large group began forming in Clarkston High School’s weight room around the newest tool they could use to increase their athletic skills.
The tool is Team Fast Pad developed by Clarkston residents Mike Newvine, Tom Nicklin and Greg Miller to help with speed and agility.
“It’s for any age, any sport, any gender – it does not matter,” said Nicklin, adding they wanted local athletes to try it first.
They noticed with dot mats, the athletes are looking down at the mat while their coaches are timing them.
“You want your athletes looking down the field no matter what sport,” Newvine said. “This teaches you to look up. It teaches them to balance out while moving. It is digital innovation.”
Athletes select a workout and drill. Then, they step on the Fast Pad numbers as indicated on the screen from what they selected.
As a former football coach with Saginaw Arthur Hill High Schools and former athletic director, Newvine noticed kids aren’t playing outside as much as they used to which means they aren’t getting as much exercise.
“Over time they develop a deficiency,” said Miller. “Mike used to coach and he noticed the athletic skills of the kids as the years went on weren’t as good. The kids didn’t have the movements and balance they had years ago.”
“It made it more difficult for coaches to teach because their footwork and technique coordination was off,” Newvine added.
“Natural speed is something you can work at, but the idea behind any sport is having quicker feet and better explosion, balance and coordination,” he said. “This is something we used to get as kids. It creates muscle memory and as you get older it fades. If you are not doing it at an early age, it doesn’t follow you. What this is doing is changing the way an athlete becomes quicker, faster, more explosive. It is muscle memory and helps the brain work correctly with the feet.”
They looked at the Diamond Mat, which is a rubber mat and Newvine asked what could they do to improve it.
Newvine worked with one of the major independent within the tri-state area. They gave them 18 drills all of their athletes use and they gave them permission to replicate those drills. Then, they recreated in an electronic format.
“It it’s another way to get better – I like it,” said Kurt Richardson, Clarkston Varsity Football Head Coach. “I am not a real technological guy, but we have to make some strides forward. If it helps our kids, then I am for it.”
He added what he liked about Fast Pad is everything is recordable including giving feedback on how well the athletes are doing.
“Athletes can’t cheat,” Newvine said. “When coach says to do it if there is not a printout for him to look at then knows he didn’t do it.”
Miller added it’s not only good for athletes but people who have had a traumatic injury, suffer from a balance disorder or have Parkinson’s Disease.
“We can work with them to rebuild the neuro network,” he said. “Movement is memorized. This can bring some of it back. It’s not just for speed, agility and helping kids, but how about for people who need to just get back into the game of life.”
“We exist to improve the quality of life for anybody who needs it,” Newvine said. “It doesn’t matter if you are an athlete or someone who suffers from an ailment or recovery from an accident.”
“It will also help with concussions, too,” Nicklin said, adding when a athlete uses the Fast Pad coaches are able to record a pre-concussion time. “After a concussion they can put them on this, and if they don’t score what they did prior then coaches know they aren’t ready to get back on the playing field.”
The Clarkston Athletics Booster Club approved the purchase of the Fast Pad for $2,500 during their March 21 meeting.
“They saw it. They loved it,” said Nicklin.
For more information, please visit www.TeamFastPad.com

Mike Newvine, right, and Tom Nicklin, left, explain how to use the Fast Pad to Anthony Reiner. Photo by Wendi Reardon
Mike Newvine, right, and Tom Nicklin, left, explain how to use the Fast Pad to Anthony Reiner. Photo by Wendi Reardon

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