Module4 is now in its final week. The final practical coaching session was completed by all 16 students without any serious injuries, amidst the tension of the final exam.

This year, for the first time, we welcomed Mr. NOGUCHI Ken as a lecturer, who shared stories from the standpoint of an Alpinist to provide a different perspective, but also could be related to the job of a football coach, for the participants. In a fortnight's time, the final lectures, the oral and written exams, and the practical coaching test will begin.

Module 4 Intensive Course (10)

Date: Mon. 8 - Thu. 11 November

Support players: Meikai University Football club, Edogawa University Football club

Participant's Comment

Coach FUJIMOTO Chikara (Roasso Kumamoto)
Continuing from last week, the Module4 Intensive Course (10) was held at Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field.

With the Class S Coach Training Course 2021 approaching the final phase, we went through eight practical coaching sessions, three lectures, and a discussion session to confirm the seven themes of the practical coaching sessions before the final exam.

We have been holding frank discussions after each practical coaching session, but it feels like the discussions have become more in-depth. The more sessions we cover, the more we realise the importance of the relationship between the coaching staff. Pointing out details that are overlooked by the head coach, controlling the non-improving team, and the role of the goalkeeper. The clearer the coach's vision is, the more it seems to affect the relationship between the group. Once the head coach makes his/her vision clear, the rest of the coaching staff can provide support to incorporate the vision into the training sessions. In addition to our abilities to coach football, we learned that it is also essential to be able to manage the coaching staff.

The second day of the course was dedicated to “Sports Paramedic,” where the participants learned how to perform paramedic procedures to a player who had collapsed due to a heart attack or head (cervical) injury. During the practical training, the instructors explained how to perform chest compressions, and how to use AED and the spine board. Protecting the lives of the players is the top priority, and I strongly felt that we need to take these courses on a regular basis to be prepared in case of an emergency.

A lecture on “Human Resources Management” was held on the third day, as Mr. Ken Noguchi, an alpinist, gave us an inspirational lecture, where he talked about his real life experiences of climbing mountains and thoughts on the various projects he is currently involved in. Although he was talking about a vastly different activity (sport), there were many aspects that can be related to the job of a football coach. “Emotions at the moment of making a responsible decision.” “Definition of failure and success.” “Evidence is important, but so is feelings.” Mr. Noguchi's interpretations were very unique, and although I can't imitate them, I really enjoyed his lecture, and it gave me a good opportunity to think deeply about what I would do in each of the situations he was in. “You need determination to die and determination to live.” His life stories of seeing life and death before his eyes gave me goosebumps, and it made him seem like a person who had reached the realm of the divine. The way he talked about his passion for the projects he is currently involved in made him look so happy and radiant, like a boy who is absorbed in what he really wants to do. He taught us that it is important to improve our human skills so that we too can reach the “pinnacle” of a big mountain called football.

In the final discussion held on the fourth day, the participants gathered to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the seven themes of the practical coaching sessions, as well as points to consider when coaching. The participants gathered in groups for each of the themes they had worked on in Module 4 and gave a short presentation at the end. Each group was well prepared to provide valuable presentations.

If there are 16 participants, there are 16 different ways of thinking, and there is no right or wrong answer. By interpreting the different ways of thinking in our own way, by making choices about what to include and exclude, we can create 16 new ways of doing things.

We are left with just two more sessions in the course. We will try to make the most of the remaining time to improve ourselves, hold discussions and develop our own vision of football.

Next time we will share the report of Mr. FURUKAWA Tsuyoshi.