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Japan Hosts Heads Up Football Clinic in Tokyo

John McKeon

The first weekend of March saw the Japanese American Football Association (JAFA) Coaches Academy play host to the country’s first Heads Up Football clinics, delivered by USA Football Master Trainer Terry Summerfield and Shinzo Yamada, a fellow Master Trainer who has served as Head Coach of Japan’s junior national team program, played in NFL Europe for Amsterdam Admirals and also spent time in training camp with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

USA Football’s Scott Hallenbeck and IFAF Shinzo Yamada

Over the course of four days 249 people were introduced to Heads Up Football and gained a firsthand insight into how it fits within JAFA’s Coach Development Programme.

‘The Heads Up Football clinics have been a tremendous success’ said Yamada.

‘As coaches we are always striving to improve our knowledge to make sure that players develop as safely and effectively as possible. These clinics provided all attendees a valuable opportunity to learn and have certainly enhanced JAFA’s coaching programme.’

Scott Hallenbeck, USA Football’s Executive Director, who attended the clinics, praised the Japanese Coaches Academy. ‘I would like to pay tribute to the staff of JAFA and the many coaches and programme managers who organised and attended the clinics.’

Hallenbeck continued:

‘In both Osaka and Tokyo we were met by people whose commitment to personal development and ensuring that players have the best possible coaching environment was inspiring. We look forward to a bright future for Heads Up Football in Japan.’

Heads Up Football in Japan

Below are the final numbers for attendees:

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