When hiring an Athletic Trainer, you are hiring their entire skillset. Parents, players, coaches and even grandma should feel encouraged to speak with athletic trainers when they have questions–simply put, athletic trainers are not just there to tape ankles and save lives. Thats why we assembled this list of 10 (ok, there’s more than 10) non-emergency things to ask an athletic trainer about at tournaments.

10 Non-Emergency Things to Ask an Athletic Trainer at Tournaments

1. How does an AED work?

2. Is this infected?

3. Does this look like ringworm to you?

4. How can I stretch this area?

5. Should I put ice on this?

6. I’d love to learn more about your path to being an Athletic Trainer–what were your clinical rotations in your athletic training program?

7. How can the teams’ warm-up/cool down be improved?

8. What snacks would more beneficial between games/matches?

9. What’s better for hydration, Gatorade or Water?

10. What does adequate rest look like at ____ age group? 

11. Why does my eye twitch when I’m stressed

12. Am I sleeping enough? 

13. What do I do when I get so upset when I’m playing poorly?

14. I’m worried about my teammate, can you talk to them?

15. What should I eat tonight to have a great Sunday at this tournament?

16. How much water should I drink to prepare for next week’s tournament?

Have a great fall tournament season, and don’t be afraid to pick an athletic trainers brain with these 10 things to ask an athletic trainer at tournaments. They love talking shop, and their ready to help.