The participants started the training sessions proper on the second day of the JFA Elite Program Women’s U-13 September camp. In the morning, they started with basic skills, such as passing and controlling, moved on a 2-on-2 with three free players, and followed by a 6-on-4, which required technical skill with swift judgments. Then they attended a lecture about communication skills after lunch.

It was occasionally raining in the afternoon, but the players held a two-hour training session. After having their baths, they listened to a lecture from YOSHITAKE Hirofumi, who used to lead the “under category” national team for a long time and currently plays for FC Imabari. They also studied for an hour in the evening.

Although it had been raining since the morning of the third day, it stopped when the players started their practice session. They held the morning session energetically in preparation for the match in the afternoon.

They held a practice match against FC Imabari U-13 in the afternoon. They won the match of three 30-minute periods 11-0 (1st 5-0, 2nd 4-0, 3rd 2-0).

In the evening, the players discussed suggested themes for a presentation in groups – about “cuisine in Imabari”, “Imabari’s special product, towels”, and “Imabari shipbuilding”. Then reviewed the match.

Only one day of the camp is left. They will finish off their camp with a practice session in the morning before being dismissed in the afternoon.

Assistant Coach Comment

NISHIMURA Yosuke, Assistant Coach (JFA National Training Centre Coach)
We held this training camp under the theme of “contributing to both attack and defence”, “learn techniques for games”, and “keep good positioning”. When the players tried to achieve both quality and strength in the training, they tended to make more mistakes in passing, trapping, and dribbling.

So they learned that they had to focus on three themes that I mentioned earlier, in everyday practice or matches, so that they could play internationally. On 5 and 6 September, Yoshitake from FC Imabari and Obe from the women’s sub team gave the players some lectures about “the current gap between the world and Japan – things have to be learned now”.

They held a training match against FC Imabari U-13 in the afternoon of 6 September. They players made many contributions to the attack, staying ambitious for goals, while focusing on our themes of the training camp. We also found new tasks to improve even more – how to receive the ball and move it forward, how to position depending on the ball’s location, and how to shift speed.

In terms of the defence, we need to improve positioning depending on the ball’s location, and risk management. With all 23 players, we’d like to do our best on the last day of the training camp to achieve higher aims.

Players' Comment

KAWAMOTO Sae (Ehime FC Ladies Mikan)
We learned “how to choose from two options” and “change perspectives” through the Q&A session in the communication skill training on the second day of the camp. During the session, I tried to explain in detail why I chose that option. Even though I thought I explained it simply with easy-to-understand words, I learned that it was difficult to deliver all your opinions to someone.

In terms of learning about changing perspectives, we had to think in our way about what a person in the picture was thinking. I didn’t think of anything the same as the other players, which made me think: “oh, I could have thought in that way as well.”

I’d like to try what I learned in the communication training to communicate better with others in everyday life. Although I could show what I learned in the match against FC Imabari, I know I need to improve myself a lot more. I’ll practice harder to become a better player.

Schedule