From The Blog

The Sports Sideline

Many of us aspire to work with elite level athletes.

A lot of the time, it’s what drives us toward our chosen industry.

Applying your knowledge, industry specific skills and interpersonal skills toward the success of an athlete or team, is a truly rewarding experience.

You’re making a difference in a sport that you love, a sport that once upon a time, you aspired to be the best at!

Well, for whatever reason, you were too small, too slow, too injured!

So the next best thing is to become the team Physio/ Osteo/ Chiro/ conditioning coach!

Personally, I have been involved in the AFL for the previous 10 years – something that I fixated on very early in my physio career. As with attaining my physio degree, entering into the AFL system was a less than smooth process. A number of failed job attempts later, and I started to doubt my ability to make it at the top level.

However,  3 years after doing my ‘ápprentice-ship’ at local level football, my chance arrived and I landed a part time role at VFL level.

Once you hit the sub-elite level, and provided you continue to fast track your growth and development as a clinician, doors will start to open!

This is where the ‘go hard or go home’ philosophy becomes a central part of your being.

You are a new graduate, 1-3 years out of uni, seeing patients until 8pm at the clinic, while Thursday nights and Saturdays become over taken with team trainings and games.

Even some Sunday games pop up, and you might be working 6-7 days/week.

A common phrase echoed from new graduates far and wide:

I love my job so it doesn’t feel like work

This is a demanding time for the aspiring clinician, BUT CRITICAL IN YOUR DEVELOPMENT!
It is where you throw yourself in the deep end and start to make sideline decisions on behalf of the athlete in front of you.
Split second decisions such as;
Should I send this player back out there?
Then comes the ability to make accurate calls on a player rehab management timeline.
How long will this hamstring injury take to return to play?
When should I start running with this ACLR?
How quick can I tape this ankle to get this player back out there
No doubt the team coach will VERY interested in your ability to execute and communicate these very important skills & decisions!
This is where The Sports Sideline series will give you a kick start!
Over the coming months we will provide you with knowledge, skills, tips & principles that can be used on the Sports Sideline with your athlete/ team.
Things like:
  • Taping technique videos
  • Short taping hacks
  • Quick field based/ functional tests
  • Specific Injury timelines
What better place to start than the basic ankle tape. It’s a skill that most graduates struggle with, in the early days.
Where , when and how hard to pinch the tape to bend around a corner?
I need to be careful to avoid compressing the achilles tendon or tib ant tendon?
How on earth can we get a heel lock without tape crinkles?
Start your journey toward becoming a sports clinician here: Ankle Taping – YouTube
If you are a student or new graduate and looking for some sports trainer experience, why not apply to join the Errol Street Physio Sports Trainer Program. It Involves paid work with amateur sports teams and the in-house mentoring program. Please contact Ben or Shane @ Errol St Physiotherapy – 9329 9988 or Email info@errolstphysio.com.au

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