Football coaches and players should have the attitude - interview with China U16 men's football coach Kenichi Uemura

The head coach of the Chinese U16 men's football team Kenichi Uemura said in an interview with the Japanese media that he wants to introduce the Japanese coach's "meticulous work" and "careful preparation" model to China。In a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency, he talked about his practice of this model and a crucial teaching concept - "attitude"。

Kenichi Uemura believes that coaches should have a work attitude of excellence, and players should always maintain a positive attitude and go all out in games and training。Coaches and players have an equal relationship of mutual respect。From his words, you can see the working philosophy and mental state of Japanese football youth training coaches。Here are excerpts from the interview。

Q: You said earlier that you would introduce the "meticulous work" and "meticulous preparation" models into China. Can you give us more details about this model？

Uemura Answer (hereinafter referred to as "Answer") : Take training as an example, the production of the coach's teaching plan and the layout of the field area should be carefully designed。Each arrangement of the training area is to serve the training of the players, but also to better connect to the next training。All the details need to be taken into account, such as the refrigerator in the right place, and the team can refill the water as quickly as possible before moving on to the next round of training。

In order to allow the players and coaches to unify the training ideas of the day and the content of each training link, before the training starts, we will hold a preparatory meeting to clarify the training theme of the day and the job responsibilities of each coach。After practice, there will be a meeting for the players to summarize。An hour is set aside every evening for the players to analyze the day's training and game。

Q: Does having to pay attention to so many details mean that a coach has to be very dedicated to the job？

A: It's a no-brainer for coaches。I've been asking the players to give their all in training and in games。Then, as a coach, if you can't do your job, you have no right to demand players。Not to say that the coach can be superior, he and the players are not superior but equal relationship。I try my best to do my job, to be able to infect and motivate the players。This relationship of equality and respect comes naturally, not from a compulsion。

Q: What positive impact has this "meticulous work" and "meticulous preparation" of Japanese coaches had on the development of elite players in Japan？

A: Now the Japanese men's soccer team has risen to 16th place in the latest FIFA rankings, and there are many Japanese players in the five major European leagues。I think the first is that the concepts of "meticulous work" and "meticulous preparation" have had a profound impact on Japanese coaches, keeping them humble and learning。Under the influence of these two concepts, Japanese coaches have the courage to make changes and keep up with the trend of world football。Some of the players they develop become coaches when they retire。This is a continuous process, and can be on the right path for a long time。In this way, the development of football will be enduring。

Q: You are currently coaching the China U16 national team. In the past six months, the team list has changed a lot. What are your criteria for selecting players？

A: In addition to the individual ability on the field, I attach great importance to the character and personality of the players。I want my players to be self-motivated, to respect each other, and to be grateful。Players with this kind of behavior have a higher ceiling and can go further on their career path。If a player is not capable of what I want at the moment, but he gives his all in training and takes every training session seriously, I am willing to give him more opportunities and playing time。

There is definitely a difference in the level of the starters and substitutes in the same position in our team at this stage。At the moment, the bench players are not good enough, but as long as he is motivated and willing to put all his energy into training every day, I believe that this player can be a starter one day。

I introduced my character evaluation criteria to the players through the meeting, hoping that the players can cherish the training time every day, not waste a minute and a second。If you can hold on, I'll give you more time;If you're not committed or distracted when you train, I'm sorry, I won't give you much of a chance。

As a coach, what I can do is to escort those players with the right attitude and motivation, so that they have a good environment for progress and training。I need to find the most suitable way to help the players according to their specific personality characteristics。The coach does not push the players forward, but when the players have the desire to improve, guide them on the right path to progress。The coach is the leader, not the prod behind them。This is my understanding of the role of football coach。

Q: At the International Football Tournament in August, China conceded two goals against Japan due to the goalkeeper and his teammates' mistakes。How do you communicate with the players？

A: I'm especially worried that these kids will feel guilty or self-blame after a fatal mistake, or he will be very nervous and become afraid on the court。I don't want the kids to have that。In the Japan game, after we conceded the second goal, the goalkeeper came near our bench during hydration time。He was hit. He kept his head down when he came over。I said to him, "You're allowed to make mistakes, but you're not allowed to take hits.。The game is not over, you have to play this game in a dignified manner, we will sum up。I have long made it clear to the players that as long as you go all out on the field, if you lose the game, the responsibility is borne by the head coach, and you do not need to feel any remorse or guilt。Some mistakes in the game, or some failures in the experience, are stepping stones on the path of growth。