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 the 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 goals, and share the same direction. Additionally, from the perspective of conditioning, it is stated 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 shot of "FOCUS ON" featuring 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." Scenes of intense competition over song choices have become a daily occurrence at this camp.
CAMP VOICE vol.4 Director Rikizo MATSUHASHI
The Okinawa Kunigami camp has completed its fourth day, and the new outline of Tokyo that coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is seeking is gradually starting to take shape. After the morning practice on this day, we spoke with the new coach about the training so far, as he seeks to focus on the 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 being used 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 (sharing ideas and advice) and then consider how to leverage oneself to surpass those expectations. We must not halt our growth. However, it is important to understand that growth does not always follow a steady upward trajectory, and there will be fluctuations in the growth curve. I hope that everyone 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, there are times when it may not be. In order to work together with the same goal in camp, I think opportunities should be provided equally. This also involves a physical approach that considers conditioning. 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 believe that if that transforms into the voices of the players, it will become something really great. 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 pleasant, but I think we also have to face the opposite atmosphere just as much in our world. This applies not only to the world of soccer but also to the business world, and we are not just smoothing things over with pretty words. If such harsh feedback arises and can be accepted properly, I think that will lead to something even better.
Q: It seems that there are many training sessions designed for each individual to incorporate tactics, starting with 2-on-2 drills that instill an awareness of sliding.
A, I don't usually stop practice much. 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 need to share this with everyone, and even though a practice match is approaching, I am not in a hurry. The players are working hard. More than what I have in my mind, 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 seeps into everyone and becomes ingrained, I believe it will naturally flow in that direction without needing to explicitly say, 'This is how it is' during lectures or meetings.
Text by Kohei Baba (Freelance Writer)
