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

This time, with the theme of "Learning futsal-specific techniques and tactics and aiming to become hybrid players who can also excel in soccer," participants trained in two groups: 17 in the field player (FP) course and 1 in the goalkeeper (GK) course. The players took part enthusiastically amid the energy of the gymnasium!

 

Opening & Meeting

First, we reviewed the schedule for the three days and the facility rules. Then, the coach explained the purpose of this clinic: "To experience futsal-specific training and become a hybrid player who can also excel in soccer."

The players listened intently to the coach's talk while checking off items in their "handbook," organizing the key points before heading out to the pitch.

 

Training Scenes

Day 1: Transition Attack

On the first day, training focused on "transition attack."

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

After training, the players returned to the locker room and wrote down their reflections in their "handbook." Many were not used 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 video 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 onto the pitch.

In the morning, with “positional attack” as the theme, the players worked on attacks modeled on space attacks in the wide lanes and pivot passes in the central lane.

For space attacks, the players gained experience mainly with “parallela” and “go,” movements unique to futsal. Many players particularly struggled with “parallela,” but it was impressive to see them try again and again.

[Lunch & Lunch Break]

During the lunch break, the players quickly got to know one another, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere! Their bond as a team also grew significantly.

[Afternoon Training: Set Defense]

In the afternoon, the players first reviewed set offense using footage from the morning. After also learning about set defense, they moved onto the pitch! They trained in set defense, focusing on how to counter the morning's offense with man-to-man defense.

Having trained in positional attack in the morning, the players were able to carry out the afternoon's positional defense training at an even higher level.

In the final match, the attacking and defensive battles learned in the morning and afternoon were on display throughout, resulting in a succession of intense, exciting, and outstanding plays!

Day 3: Transition Defense & Training Match

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

[Morning: Transition Defense]

As on Day 2, the day began with a review of the previous day's "positional defense"!

The main theme of the day was "transition defense." The field player (FP) course and goalkeeper (GK) course, each of which had undergone training, worked together and focused on "how they can coordinate to defend the goal."

Working backward from the set-position attacking patterns practiced the previous day (attacking space on the wings and playing the pivot in the center), the players trained for transition moments from attack to defense that could arise from those situations. They communicated with one another, and it was clear that their awareness of defending as an organized unit was growing.

In addition, by training with attack and defense linked together, the players pursued more practical, realistic transitions. This integrated learning also steadily improved the quality of their positional attacking play itself!

In the final match of the morning, they 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 qualifying tournament for the All Japan U-12 Futsal Championship (JFA Vermont Cup) (details here), making them a team with a thorough understanding of futsal.

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

Their joy at scoring, frustration when they lost, and the way they expressed their emotions so openly showed just how seriously they had approached these three days.

 

Closing

After returning to the locker room and conducting the final review, we held the closing meeting.

Each participant was presented with a diploma (certificate of completion), and the clinic concluded with everyone watching a commemorative video of the three days together.

 

In Conclusion

Through this clinic, we hope the participants experienced firsthand not only the depth of futsal, but also how futsal tactics and movements can be applied to soccer. Even after returning to their regular school programs and club teams, we hope they will remember what they learned here and continue to grow as hybrid soccer and futsal players!

The coaches will continue to support everyone's growth from now on!