Tokyo Parasports Staff Certified Interview (7) Goalball Trainer/Physiotherapist
Takumi Kikuchi (2019/9/10)
【profile】
Hiroyuki Kikuchi Born in 1976.
Belongs to Toda Kobayashi Clinic, Chi-no-Shiokai Medical Corporation.He is a physical therapist.
Since 2015, he has been working as a trainer for the Japan Goalball Association.
Goalball is a competitive team sport in which a team of three visually impaired players throws a ball with a bell into the opponent's goal.We interviewed Takumi Kikuchi, who supports the players as a trainer and physical therapist.
``The staff is one piece to complete the puzzle of victory.
``I'm happy to see the players grow and play an active role.''
~Please tell us how you became a goalball trainer. ～
I used to work as a sports instructor for people with disabilities, helping out at various sports tournaments for people with disabilities, and one of my seniors, the director of the Japan Goalball Association, asked me to come to a goalball training camp. That's the trigger.
At that time, I was helping with things like picking up balls, but there was a time when a player had hurt his body, and as I was giving him care advice, it became known that I had a license as a physical therapist, and the association I was approached when a trainer committee was being formed, and I started participating in the team as a trainer in 2015.
~What is your role as a trainer? ～
I do warm-ups, manage the players' conditioning, provide first aid for injuries, preventive taping, and sometimes give advice to the players about their bodies and movements.In addition, since we have a small number of staff members, we also perform other tasks other than trainers, such as measuring athletic performance, and when we return to the training camp, we are also in charge of player care and anti-doping.
～Have you ever found it rewarding or difficult as a staff member? ～
Each player is different, so with the limited time available during training camp, it is difficult to take enough time to give advice to each player.It is very difficult to convey this, but as I coach the players, they improve rapidly, so the content and quality of their plays change, and I am very happy that they are able to utilize this knowledge in their matches. I'm proud.
Although it is not a difficult task, it can be difficult to convey the nuances of the story to players who are nearly completely blind.If you give too much detail, you may get the wrong idea, confuse things, or even not be able to convey your message accurately.
``Once the players are satisfied, let them think for themselves and take action.''
～Is there anything you keep in mind when communicating with the players? ～
When I make a statement, I try to speak as a "trainer."I talk about how to use the body and training so that the players don't get lost, but I don't give advice on things like tactics.I also try to avoid giving instructions like ``this is what you should do'' or ``this is the right thing to do'' as much as possible, and I try to use words that make the players think for themselves. ``There are other ways to do this,'' I offer several methods and ask the player to choose from them.After all, if the players themselves are not convinced, their growth will be slow, so I think it is best to have the players think for themselves and take action after they are convinced.Of course, if you're wrong, say "no."
Also, it is important to keep a good distance.I want to maintain a sense of distance, not too close, not too far, and get close to them, but I want to draw a line between them as ``trainers'' and ``athletes.''
～Is there anything you should be careful about when communicating with players? ～
Even if they can't see your facial expressions, they can read and understand your mood.On the other hand, I don't think I can mislead them, so I try to convey information correctly, especially in front of them.
~Are there any people, lectures, or books that have influenced you as a trainer? ～
I was influenced by former Yokohama BayStars manager Hiroshi Gondo's book ``The Lessons You Don't Tell,'' and I started to try not to teach too much.Also, there is a physical therapist that I always mentor, Dr. Hatsuo Utsunomiya, who says, ``The patient is the teacher.'' I have always been taught that ``Watch your patients carefully because they will tell you everything.''With these words in mind, when working as a trainer, I try to watch the players often so that I can notice any differences as quickly as possible.
～What kind of existence do you think “staff” is? ~
In addition to myself, the staff members include coaches, referees, and local people, and each of them has their own role.The staff is an important piece to complete the puzzle of victory.The players are one piece, and the people who support, cooperate, and cheer us on are also one piece.Each piece may have a different shape, but each is an essential piece to complete a puzzle.
～How do you communicate among staff? ~
We don't usually hang out together, but we often get together during training camps, so we try to keep in touch as much as possible, keeping in touch via email, and talking about various topics.I try to maintain good relationships among staff by listening not only to their professional stories but also to their everyday stories.
“I want the world to know about the people behind the scenes.”
~ “How do you balance competition staff and work? What are some tips for achieving both? ~
I don't know if I'm able to balance both, but if I am, I think it depends a lot on the understanding of my workplace.When it comes to overseas expeditions, you may have to take a week off or even two weeks if it's long.I am deeply grateful to my workplace for allowing me to do so.
When I'm doing both activities, I sometimes feel like I'm going to have a headache because I'm busier than I expected, but I try to use my brain differently when I'm working as a physical therapist and when I'm working as a trainer. I am.We are also striving to improve our skills so that we can do each of them with as much leeway as possible.
～Please let us know your thoughts on being certified as a “Tokyo Para Sports Staff” and if you have any questions about this system. ~
I am very honored and grateful.At the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility, and I will do my best to give back as much as possible.
There are a lot of people involved in the team, not just the players and training staff, so it's a great blessing to have the spotlight shine on the people behind the scenes.I think the biggest thing is for the world to understand that there are people like this behind the scenes.I would be happy if this increased awareness of the sport and created a relationship that would attract attention beyond the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
~Please tell us about the highlights and appeal of goalball for sports fans. ~
They throw a heavy ball weighing 1.25 kg at each other with their eyes closed, and the ball reaches the defense in a few tenths of a second, and they use their whole body to stop it.It is a silent martial arts sport where the audience cannot cheer loudly during the play.I think that when you actually watch the players, you can get a feel for how the players see the sound, the power of the boys, and the detailed tactics of the girls.There are some things that cannot be conveyed on TV, so please come and see it for yourself.
~Please share your expectations and support for the athletes aiming to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. ～
Next year is finally approaching.But there's still one year left.There are many things you can do, so you can still improve your abilities.Let's do our best together while being careful about our conditioning.
Japan Goalball Association http://www.jgba.jp/
Mr. Kikuchi works with each player individually, not only providing physical care for the players, but also sometimes giving advice on movement.I felt that because he is always aware of his role as a ``trainer,'' the players are also able to think and make choices for themselves and grow.
Both players and staff are said to be an important piece to completing the puzzle of victory, and it was clear that they trust each other.