One of the things that Eddie and Tom discussed was “long-time practice,” which is a characteristic of Japanese club culture.
In fact, these two are famous for having been practicing for a long time at the training camp of the national team.
However, when I listened to Mr. Eddie and Mr. Tom, the difference between “long-time practice as a purpose” and “long-time practice as a result” became clear.
TomWhen I was playing for a Japanese businessman in the 1990s, I felt that the details had disappeared when it came to basketball, even though I was very particular about the details and details at work. The Japanese men’s basketball at that time was roughly like doing a 5 to 5 drill. In the 1990s, the United States played games with more emphasis on finer skills.
EddieWhy do you end up with coaching that doesn’t care about details? It is a big issue of Japanese sports that Japanese people are a national character who is particular about details, but when it comes to sports instruction, it disappears. I think the reason is that athletes in all competitions have been accustomed to practicing for a long time since junior high school and high school.
TomWhen long hours of practice become commonplace, you tend to lack the ability to concentrate on each practice.
EddieThat’s right. They grow up in a “guts practice” where one session takes 3 to 4 hours. The instructor has become a goal in itself to keep students in time and practice for long periods of time, from morning to evening and, in the worst case, to night. In fact, if you analyze the contents of the practice, it should be a menu that can be done in a shorter time.
Problems of “long practice”
The leader clarifies the power relationship by controlling the time. And while it’s important to have the members together, Eddie says there’s a lot to lose.
EddieThe problem with long hours of practice is that the students try to adapt to it. This is a natural reaction as a human being, and it is also a wise place for human beings. Athletes try to preserve and distribute their physical strength. If I try to practice for 3 or 4 hours without a break, can I do 100% of what is in front of me? That’s impossible.
TomIncorporating proper rest into your practice plan is essential to keeping your athletes focused.
EddieOne of the articles I read was very interesting. Tom, you said you accepted that the players would be “gym rats”, that is, the players just wanted to practice in the gym.
TomAs a culture of Japanese women’s basketball, there is an idea that it is a virtue to practice in the gymnasium anyway. This seems to be a custom that I learned mainly at high schools and prestigious schools aiming for national competitions. Morning practice, lunch break, after school. And on weekends, we practice for a long time and play games. When I’m a teenager, I’m exposed to basketball so much. I can’t think of it in America. As a result, concentration is distracted and it is by no means efficient.
EddieThere will be some players whose goal is to be in the gym.
TomThat’s right. In fact, I once instructed the players to “get out of the gym for the time being!” To make them forget about basketball. But after a while, for some reason, everyone naturally returns to the gymnasium (laughs).
EddieI think everyone is in a mentally stable state by being in the gymnasium.
TomI gave up fighting there. Instead, I accepted the culture and told them that if the players were in the gym, they would clarify the task rather than practicing shooting without thinking.
EddieYou have cleared the meaning of the practice. It is great.
