Japan Beach Soccer Coach Marcelo Mendes and Oz Moreira held sixth clinic in Hirai Beach, Kashima City Ibaraki, on two days during Sat. 12 July to Sun. 13 July. The players and coaches from prefectures of Kanto region participated in the lecture and practical training.
This training was held in excellent environment and facility provided on the courtesy of Kashima Antlers based in Kashima.
All the participants concentrated to take note of head coach’s dedicated lecture and worked on the practical training to implement what they have learned.
At intra-squad match held on Sunday, the players challenged to take formation they were taught in previous day and they tried to promote themselves.
The clinic for kids was conducted for the first time trial and attended by 32 of both boys and girls from local elementary school.
Most of children were first time to play football on the beach, every kids were enjoying the play with smiling faces, trying to do a play only possible to try on the sand such as overhead kick for not fearing to get an injury and trying to fight hard for the ball.

Comment From Head Coach

Marcelo Silveira MENDES, Head Coach
Many players who were unable to attend the clinic held in Tokyo in April joined this training and played aggressively for two days. I have an impression to this will help me find more of talented players who has a high potential if we keep on holding this kind of clinic in the future.
Unfortunately a condition of the beach was not favorable due to a heavy rain in the previous day, it may have been difficult condition for players to play. I believe they will take advantage of things they learned during the training as I have communicated as much as I can.
I was very pleased to finally hold the kids clinic which has been planned a long time ago, the kids enjoyed playing beach soccer and trying various plays. It will be great if they are interested in a football and beach soccer triggered by this clinic.

Comments From Participants

ANDO Munenori (Vamos a la casa)
Unlike football and futsal, there aren’t many materials and books for self-study on Beach Soccer, only way to learn how to play was to watch competitive team’s game. It was a precious experience for me to attend direct lesson by the head coach this time as I learned status quo of the beach soccer in the world and a professional tactics.
I can practice only once or twice a week and I was just running on my own style as I like to. But it was a big progress to recognize there is the recommended style of running on the sand. I am going to take up this method in the training and repeat this training until I can do it unconsciously. I found some tactics were new to me. I am going to share the ideas with my teammates and hold training with high motivation.

SHIROTA Yu (SOCKS YOKOHAMA)
I could learn to understand both theoretically and physically because I learned individual skills such as running and controlling the ball and team tactics logically and then followed by practical training for implement what I learned.
As I am aiming to become national team member, I recognized the standard required for national team members as mentioned by head coach and player Oz and I think I understood what training I should work on. I felt goal keeper should have the same set of ball controlling skills as a field player. I am not going to separate training menu for goal keeper and hope to participate in the same training as field players.
There are some teams in Kanto region which is seriously working on beach soccer and have high skills, it may be a good idea to invite head coach Mendes to joint training for teams in Kanto region.

OKADA Shotaro (SHONAN SPREAD 1545)
It was very productive training for me as I could learn everything from basic skills to tactics. All the training contents were impressive because I learned them directly by head coach and the player.
It was easy to understand the lecture and explanation featuring video.
Haven’t received professional training like this before, I am going to share with my team mates when I go back and eager to contribute in raising standard of play.

SUZUKI Kenichiro (WHIZKID)
It was a very good clinic because I’ve never had a chance to learn beach soccer professionally. The format of training was also easy to understand – particularly hold practical training right after the lecture with understanding of the real purpose of the play. Especially the tactical contents were good because it allowed me to understand the importance of the move for making a space and challenge and cover. I realized there are still big difference between national team member and me. I would like to get another clinic in Kashima as I am determined to practice more.