Contacts Episode #166: Jeff Yamashita

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In this interview, Jeff Yamashita discusses his journey from being an athlete to becoming an athletic trainer at Stevenson School. He shares how his passion for sports led him to his current role and reflects on the challenges and joys he has experienced along the way. Throughout the interview, Jeff emphasizes the importance of athletic trainers in secondary schools and highlights the need for certified trainers in all schools. Now, let's explore the 10 in-depth takeaways from this captivating interview.

10 Key Insights from Jeff Yamashita: An Exclusive Interview

• The Role of Athletic Trainers in Secondary Schools: Jeff discusses the increasing prevalence of athletic trainers in secondary schools and the recognized need for their expertise. He also mentions the ongoing efforts to mandate fully certified trainers in all schools.

• Learning and Adapting: Jeff recalls his early years as an athletic trainer and acknowledges that he had to learn and improve his techniques on the job. He emphasizes the importance of constantly seeking growth and knowledge in this ever-evolving field.

• Love for Multiple Sports: Jeff's journey as an athlete involved playing multiple sports, including basketball and track. He reveals his passion for baseball and shares how it influenced his decision to become a track athlete.

• Transformation from Athlete to Trainer: Jeff explains how he transitioned from being an athlete to becoming an athletic trainer. This shift occurred when he realized his own athletic abilities and opted for a role that allowed him to support and train athletes.

• The Importance of Stealing Bases: Reflecting on his love for baseball, Jeff explains that stealing bases was the highlight for him. This passion for base stealing ultimately led him switch to track and then subsequently to pursue a career as an athletic trainer.

• A Long-Term Job Interview: Jeff amusingly describes the 20-year job interview he had with Jeff Young, the head of Stevenson School's athletic department. This interview eventually resulted in the creation of a full-time athletic training position, leading to Jeff Yamashita's hiring.

• Becoming a Full-Time Athletic Trainer: After years of working in therapy offices and with patients, Jeff landed a full-time position as an athletic trainer at Stevenson School. This opportunity allowed him to focus on providing comprehensive care to student-athletes.

• Essential Skills for Working with Student-Athletes: Jeff shares the challenges he faced when working with high school student-athletes. He emphasizes the need for effective communication, adaptability, and empathy to connect with young athletes and support their physical and mental well-being.

• Push for Fully Certified Athletic Trainers: Jeff and Justin Clymo discuss the ongoing efforts to push for legislation that would mandate fully certified athletic trainers in all schools. They highlight the benefits that such a requirement would bring to student-athletes and the overall sports community.

• Insightful Tidbits: Throughout the interview, Jeff provides numerous insightful tidbits about his experiences, career, and the role of athletic trainers. These tidbits serve as valuable lessons and food for thought for both aspiring and current athletic trainers.

We hope you enjoyed these 10 in-depth takeaways from the interview with Jeff Yamashita. The discussion shed light on the significance of athletic trainers in secondary schools and the immense value they bring to the world of sports. Stay tuned for more interviews and newsletters filled with wisdom from coaching experts!

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Watch his episode here: You Tube

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.