1/15 Training
On the 15th, the fourth day of the Okinawa Kunigami camp, the team practiced in the morning at Kaigin Field Kunigami and strengthened their bond through team building in the afternoon.
One of the characteristics of Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI's training sessions is that each one incorporates tactical essence. In the 2-on-2 practice held that day, the goals were placed diagonally to enhance awareness of defensive sliding.
Up to this point, all players are on equal footing, and there is no division between the main and substitute members during practice. Each individual is given equal opportunities to maintain high motivation, work towards the same direction, and share the same goals. Additionally, from the perspective of conditioning, it is said that this policy is intentionally implemented.
All players and staff are in sync, creating a new Tokyo in the tropical land.
FOCUS ON
The official photographer captured this "FOCUS ON" of Go HATANO, also known as "DJ GO", on the fourth day of the Okinawa Kunigami camp. With his song selections, he has boosted morale before practices and provided relaxation after them. It seems a rival has emerged for DJ GO. That rival is Ewerton Gaudino, known as "DJ Ewert" who loves samba and bossa nova. Scenes of intense sparks flying over song selections have become a part of the daily routine at this camp.
CAMP VOICE vol.4 Rikizo MATSUHASHI Director
The Okinawa Kunigami camp has completed its fourth day, and the new contours of Tokyo, as sought by coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI, are gradually beginning to take shape. After the morning practice on this day, we spoke with the new coach about the training so far, as he seeks "technical aspects."
Q: In this camp, we are asking the players to take initiative. During practice, I was encouraging them to "surpass my ideas."
A, it is not that I am using myself as a standard to determine whether someone surpasses me or not. After demonstrating the inherent abilities one possesses, if I have any suggestions, I will communicate with the players (conveying ideas and advice) and then consider how to utilize oneself to surpass those suggestions. We must not stop the pace of growth. However, it is important to understand that growth does not always go up steadily, and there are fluctuations in the growth curve, so I hope they can take even a small positive step forward. I believe I can be of help in that regard.
Q: It seems that all players are given equal opportunities in every session.
I believe that practice should be equal. There are limits to this, but depending on the content, it may not always be the case. In order to work together with the same direction and purpose during camp, I think opportunities should be provided equally. This also involves a physical approach that takes conditioning into account. We are currently focusing on this aspect from both technical and tactical perspectives. The players are working hard with a strong awareness to maintain their motivation, so I believe we must respond to that.
Q: From the beginning of the camp, we have been talking about responding to good plays with good voices.
A, we may be noisy right now, but I think it will become something really good if that turns into the players' voices. Of course, this world is not that easy. There may be times when there are more harsh voices during practice. I am not criticizing or denying such guidance. I believe it is something that makes (the team) better. Of course, the atmosphere is important, and it would be nice if it were stable and good, but I think we also have to face the opposite atmosphere just as much in our world. I believe this applies not only to the world of soccer but also to the business world, and we are not just wrapping things up nicely. If such harsh feedback comes up and we can accept it properly, I think we can create an even better atmosphere.
Q: It seems that there are many training sessions designed for each individual to incorporate tactics, starting with 2-on-2 drills to instill the awareness of sliding.
A, I don't often stop practice. If something is necessary, I will stop and communicate, but I believe it's important to approach both what we want to do while moving and the errors that prevent us from doing what we want. I am trying to find ways to organize that. We still have to share a lot with everyone, and (even though a practice match is approaching) I'm not in a hurry. The players are working hard. More than what I have in my head, I think their sense of fulfillment and such things are more important right now. I am gradually incorporating the essence of (tactics and agreements) into the training, so if that permeates and settles in everyone, I believe it will naturally flow in that direction without having to explicitly say, 'This is how it is' during lectures or meetings.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
