With the support of the Kids committees of each prefectural football association (FA), JFA has been holding “Traveling guidance” courses throughout the nation. The courses are held by the “Traveling guidance staffs” of each prefectural FA, where the staffs attend kindergartens, nurseries, and primary schools to provide various programmes for children to enjoy football. Joined by guidance staffs who specialise in coaching football, teachers who may not have the experience or knowledge to instruct football, are enabled to hold sessions to allow the children to exercise using the ball. Here we will introduce the traveling guidance activities that were recently conducted.

Wed. 5 February, Senagawa Nursery School (Shizuoka, Shizuoka)

The class started with a physical training drill utilising a ball, followed by warmup exercises and ball-feeling drills. During the drill where kids hopped on one leg while touching the ball with their other leg, the kids learned how to gently touch the ball. The kids also went through a circuit-training utilising training markers, pull-up bars, vaulting boxes, and exercise mats, as they were instructed to use their body in specific ways at each station. The kids then played a tag-game, where both boys and girls showed great enthusiasm to chase each other on the field. Kids were allowed to return to the game as many times as they wished. We saw some kids cry when they were tagged, but they all returned to the game and played the game until the very end. The class concluded with a scrimmage played between the boys and the girls, where both sides displayed great energy to chase the ball, while showcasing great teamwork to defend the goal.

Comment

FUKAZAWA Saki (FA Traveling Guidance Staff)
Everybody shoed great energy to greet us on the field and shared us with many stories about their nursery. At first, many kids struggled to complete the drills, but as they repeatedly challenged the drills, they eventually got the hang of it and showed great improvements. The kids showed great enthusiasm during the tag game and the scrimmage. Even when they fell down or got hit by the ball in their face, they just got up and continued to play the game. Some kids cried after losing the scrimmage, but they all shook hands afterwards and showed great maturity through this short programme.

Wed. 12 February, Irie Nursery (Shizuoka, Shizuoka)

A football class was held for a group of six-year old kids, where two coaches joined the three teachers from the nursery. The class started with a lecture, followed by ball-feeling drills, circuit training, tag-game, and a scrimmage played at the end. During the ball-feeling drills, each child was provided with their own ball to conduct ball control and dribbling drills, where they tried to use both feet to control the ball. The last scrimmage was played between the boys and the girls, where they showcased a heated battle until the final whistle. The kids had a wonderful time throughout the class.

Comment

MORITA Yuji (FA Traveling Guidance Staff)
We were able to conduct the class with very polite and energetic kids. Many kids struggled to complete the ball-feeling drills at first, but they repeatedly challenged the drills to show great improvements at the end. The kids listened closely to our advices and managed to make adjustments to improve their skills. At the final scrimmage, we saw many kids actively trying to showcase what we have worked on today.

Mon. 17 February, Sakura Kindergarten (Shizuoka, Shizuoka)

59 kids participated the class. The class was held by three coaches and two teachers, where the kids showed great enthusiasm under a pleasant weather. The class started with ball-feeling drills, circuit training, tag-game, and a scrimmage to complete the class. The kids showed their competitiveness in the tag-game and scrimmage, as they displayed an exciting battle until the very end.

Comment

LEE Kwang (FA Traveling Guidance Staff)
Kids were very polite and showed great enthusiasm to participate the class. During the tag-game, we assigned a leader for each group and made the kids discuss strategies to win the game. Everybody showed great energy and gave their best efforts to win the game.

Tue. 25 February, Funabara Kindergarten (Shizuoka, Shizuoka)

The class was held for 17 kids. Although the class was held in February, the weather was quite pleasant for the kids to play outside. The class was conducted by three coaches and two teachers, as they went through a lecture, ball-feeling drills, warmup exercise, circuit training, tag-game, and a scrimmage. Everybody showed great enthusiasm until the very end.

Comment

FUKAZAWA Saki (FA Traveling Guidance Staff)
Both boys and girls showed great energy throughout the class. Everybody listened closely to the coaches during the ball-feeling drills and challenged the drills over and over to improve their skills. The kids showed great energy in the tag-game and the final scrimmage. We hope the kids will continue to have fun participating in team activities.