Over the three days from July 28 (Tue) to July 30 (Thu), we held the "Futsal Skill Up Summer Clinic (for 3rd and 4th Grade Elementary Students)" at Kodaira City General Gymnasium!

This time, under the theme of “learning futsal-specific techniques and tactics to become versatile players who can also excel in soccer,” training was divided into two groups: 17 participants in the field player (FP) course and one participant in the goalkeeper (GK) course. The players took part with great energy amid the lively atmosphere of the gymnasium!

 

Opening & Meeting

First, we reviewed the three-day schedule and the facility rules. The coaches then explained the goal of this clinic: to become versatile players who gain experience in futsal-specific training and can also excel in soccer.

The players listened intently to the coaches while checking off items in their program booklet, then headed to the pitch after reviewing the key points.

 

Training Highlights

Day 1: Transition Attack

On the first day, the players trained with a focus on transition attacking.

At first, the players seemed a little nervous in the unfamiliar environment. Once training began, they initially appeared puzzled by the fast-paced, rapid transitions unique to futsal. However, as they continued to play while listening to the coaches' advice, they gradually adapted. From the very first day, they completed high-intensity training with frequent transitions.

After training, the players returned to the changing room and wrote their reflections in their program booklets. Many were not accustomed to putting their thoughts into writing, but they worked hard with support from the coaches.

Day 2: Positional Attack and Positional Defense

On the second day, we held more practical tactical training in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

[Morning Training: Positional Attack]

We began with a meeting using footage from the previous day's training. After reviewing transition attack and watching videos to go over the rules of futsal, the players shared a common understanding before heading out to the pitch.

In the morning, under the theme of “positional attack,” the players worked on attacks modeled on space attacks in the wide lanes and playing the ball to the pivot in the central lane.

In space-attack drills, the players gained experience with futsal-specific movements, mainly “paralela” and “go.” Many players found “paralela” particularly challenging, but it was impressive to see them keep trying again and again.

[Lunch & Break]

During the lunch break, the players quickly became friends, creating a warm and lively atmosphere! Their bond as a team also grew stronger.

[Afternoon Training: Set Defense]

In the afternoon, we first reviewed positional attack using footage from the morning. After also learning about positional defense, we moved onto the pitch! We then conducted positional-defense training focused on how to counter the morning's attacks with man-to-man defense.

Having trained on set-position attacking in the morning, the players were able to carry out the afternoon's set-position defending training at a higher level as well.

In the final match, the tactical battle between attack and defense that the players had learned in the morning and afternoon was evident throughout, resulting in a series of intense, thrilling, and outstanding plays!

Day 3: Transition Defense and Training Match

On Day 3 as well, the program was divided into morning and afternoon sessions, with a training match held in addition to the training.

[Morning: Transition Defense]

As on Day 2, we started by reviewing the previous day's "set defense" training!

The main theme of the day was “transition defense.” The field player (FP) and goalkeeper (GK) courses, whose participants had each been training separately, worked together, with a focus on how they could coordinate to protect the goal.

Working backward from the positional attacking patterns practiced the previous day—space attacks on the wings and passes to the pivot in the center—we trained the transitions from attack to defense that could arise from those situations. The players could be seen communicating with one another and becoming increasingly aware of the need to defend as an organized unit.

By integrating attacking and defensive training, the participants worked on making transitions more practical and realistic. This integrated approach also greatly improved the quality of their set attacks!

In the final match of the morning, the players brilliantly demonstrated what they had learned in every phase of the game!

[Afternoon Training Match]

In the afternoon, we held a training match against FC Tokyo Futsal School students!

Many players on the opposing school team had participated in activities in preparation for the All Japan U-12 Futsal Championship (JFA Vermont Cup) qualifying tournament (details here), making them a team well versed in futsal.

Right after kickoff, the clinic participants were put under pressure by their opponents' speed and tactics. However, they refused to give up, gradually put what they had learned at the clinic into practice, and produced some excellent plays throughout the match!

Seeing them celebrate after scoring, show their frustration when they lost, and express their emotions so openly, we could feel just how seriously they had approached these three days.

 

Closing

After returning to the locker room for a final review, we held a closing meeting.

Each participant was presented with a diploma (certificate of completion), and we concluded by watching a video of memories from the three days together.

 

In Closing

Through this clinic, we hope you were able to experience firsthand not only the depth of futsal, but also how futsal tactics and movement can be applied to soccer. Even after returning to your regular school program or club team, we hope you will remember what you learned here and continue to grow as hybrid soccer and futsal players!

The coaches will continue to support everyone's growth!