Module 4, the longest module of the Class S Coach Training Course, has now reached its final week. The participants spent the valuable time left in this course not only facing their own challenges, but also sharing and discussing them with other participants.

Module4 Intensive Course ⑪

Duration: Mon. 7 - Thu. 10 November

Cooperation in dispatching support players: Edogawa University, Chuo Gakuin University, Juntendo University, JEF United Ichihara Chiba (Academy Staff), Chiba SC, Wings, Soltilo Soccer School, Wakon Soccer School

On behalf of the participants and staff, we would like to thank all the universities, clubs and football schools for dispatching their players for this year's coaching course.

Participant's Comment

Mr. MURAKAMI Kazuhiro (Vegalta Sendai)
We are now in the final week of Module 4. On the first day, we had lectures given by Mr. MORIYAMA Yoshiro, U-16 Japan National Team coach, and Mr. YOSHIDA Yoshihito, former player of the Japan Men's National Rugby Team. In his lecture, Mr. Moriyama spoke on the topic of “What is needed for Japan's youth age group.” He started by talking about the roots of the players, world standards, and the elements necessary for Japan's youth age groups to achieve these standards. While he raised several points during the lecture, such as the quality of basic skills, individual tactics, willingness to take shots, and intensity of play, I was deeply moved when he talked about the importance of “making the players take the initiative and play with a sense of ownership.” He mentioned that many players seem to act as if it is someone else's business rather than their own, and that he occasionally overhears people say that “Japanese children can't do anything unless their coaches tell them to.”

Mr. Yoshida's lecture started with the word "dignity" and went on to talk about "chance, challenge and change", how the balance between mind, technique and body can only be sustained if the mind is fulfilled, and the spirit of rugby, which consists of “dignity, passion, unity, discipline and respect.” I was left with a mixed feeling when he said, "coaches are essential for the players to become stronger" and "leadership and passion are what drives the players."

On the second day, we were given a lecture by Japan Futsal National Team coach KOGURE Kenichiro and got to experience a practical training session at the arena. Mr. Kogure’s philosophy behind his offensive model contained valuable concepts that can be translated to football.

On the third day, we attended the lectures of Mr. OBARA Mitsushiro, FC Tokyo Football Director, Mr. MASUMOTO Nobuhiro, J.League Youth Development Director, and Mr. UCHIYAMA Atsushi, JFA Class S Instructor. Mr. Obara discussed the essential components of a coach and team structure, stressing the importance of having players with leadership. Mr. Masumoto's lecture introduced various initiatives carried out at the J.League Academies, which are based on J.League's philosophy to "become a league that produces many world-class players." The current situation in the J.League, where 200 out of 392 players under the age of 21 have not participated in an official match, was another story that got us thinking.

In order for Japan to become one of the top 10 teams in the world and win the FIFA World Cup™ by 2050, Mr. Uchiyama spoke about what is needed to be done at the development age group to achieve the goal, including the need to become champions at the U-17/U-20 World Cup to build up confidence. He also talked about the importance of continuity and consistency, the idea of seeking results in the top category while focusing on development in the under category, and the national team's identity of "pride, determination, unity, respect and responsibility" are not taught, but should be felt by the players themselves. Similar to what Mr. Moriyama told us in his lecture on the first day, I felt that not only the players but also the coaches must have a renewed sense of ownership, continue to make efforts to improve their leadership and human skills, and be responsible and passionate about the players, regardless of their age.

On the final day, Mr. UKISHIMA Bin gave a recap of the coaching sessions that had been held so far and highlighted some of the key points that needed to be emphasised. It was also a time for the participants to re-organise the themes of their coaching sessions as a group.

The Class S Coach Training Course 2022 has reached its final stage with the completion of Module 4. However, with the Covid-19 pandemic still looming over us, we will continue to work hard and be grateful to all the people who are helping us to complete our curriculum safely.

Next time, we will share the report of Mr. Machinaka Daisuke (Gamba Osaka).