Former 49ers running back bringing all-sports skills clinic to Big Island

Athletes and coaches of all ages are invited to participate in a three-day, all-sport skills clinic coming to the Big Island this summer.

Jamal Willis, a former running back for the San Francisco 49ers, is visiting Hawaiʻi Island to host his athletic skills clinic, Cutback Elite Skills, for boys and girls of all ages across various sports. The clinic is packed with drills to sharpen and improve skills in footwork, cutting, agility, speed, power, and multidirectional movement.

The camp is designed to help athletes refine the art of speed cuts, a technique used by athletes to change direction quickly while maintaining or accelerating their speed.

“This clinic works for all sports because it’s all about speed, agility, and multidirectional movement. It’s not specific to one sport or another,” Willis said. “We really focus on how to move quicker as an athlete, which is why we can open up for people of all ages.”

Willis has met several peers from Hawaiʻi, including strength trainer Whittney Soares, who is helping coordinate local coaches and trainers to join in teaching the clinic.

“I’m going to bring some trainers, but we’re also going to have local coaches and trainers come out to help as well. It’ll be a very community-based event,” Willis said. “This will be my first time on the Big Island, and I’m excited to work with the kids and really see Hawaiʻi as it is.”

The clinic will take place at the Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center field off Mākuʻu Drive in Keaʻau from Thursday, June 19, through Saturday, June 21. Athletes 13 years old and older will participate from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and athletes ages 5 to 12 will participate from 10 a.m. to noon.

The cost of the clinic depends on how many days the athlete decides to participate. The clinic costs $150 for one day, $175 for two days, and $250 for three days.

Those interested in registering can do so until the first week of June. To learn more about the clinic and to sign up, visit the Cutback Elite Skills website. To see some of the drills he facilitates with athletes, watch the videos on Willis’ Instagram page.