Various events were held, such as "Volley Master" and soccer schools, and over 400 players participated!
Please see below for event details and how it went on the day.
[Saturday, May 4th (Public Holiday) Individual Participation Game Tournament]
The "Individual Participation Game Tournament" for 1st and 2nd graders was held at the Kashima Antlers Clubhouse Futsal Court.
On the day of the event, qualifying league matches and a final tournament were held with 4-person teams, including the participating players and coaches.
One coach joined each team and played alongside them, demonstrating a strong desire to win, and the players also played with serious intensity.
Players were seen discussing strategies for winning and reflecting on matches together in pursuit of victory, showing a positive attitude towards competition!
The winning team of this tournament was the team of "Aoki Nemoto, Ao Kobayashi, and Jo Koshijima!"
Even though the players were playing together for the first time, they communicated their opinions and worked together on strategies, making it an event where growth through soccer was felt.
We hope they continue to grow a lot through soccer!
[Saturday, May 4th (Public Holiday) Shot School ~Volley Master~]
The "Shot School ~Volley Master~" was held at the Kashima Antlers Clubhouse Futsal Court for 3rd to 6th graders.
This event focused specifically on volley shots.
During the warm-up, basic training was conducted, including inside, instep, and volley techniques.
Participants learned fundamental techniques for kicking a floating ball, such as where to strike the ball and how to firm their ankles! As they gradually understood the right amount of force and kicking method, they became able to kick the ball as intended.
Next was shot training. Coaches distributed two types of balls, from the front and the side, and players took volley shots.
While players tried to apply the kicking methods learned in the basic practice, many struggled with their stride and body orientation when the distance to the ball changed or the angle shifted, causing their shots to go wide.
Coaches advised, "Don't get to the drop point too early," and "Watch the ball carefully until the end and twist your body when shooting."
By focusing on these two pieces of advice, players gradually became able to score shots!
Finally, a cross game was played with a free man on the side. In a game, it becomes difficult to receive a cross while stationary due to defenders, so players showed ingenuity in their approach and calling for passes into space!
The day after the event, we received a happy report from a participating player: "I scored a volley in my team's game!"
While volley shots are rare in a match, we hope these players become capable of converting those limited opportunities!
[Saturday, May 11th: 1v1 Strongest King Deciding Battle]
The "1v1 Strongest King Deciding Battle May Tournament" was held at the Kashima Antlers Clubhouse for 1st to 6th graders!
As this was the second time this year, even more players participated than last time!
Many heated matches were seen in this tournament as well! Players who participated for the first time last time had learned the rules and how to play, and showed changes in how they scored and defended.
And the glorious winners of this tournament were: Haruki Okubo in the 1st grade division, Tsubasa Kogo in the 2nd grade division, Amon Owashi in the 3rd and 4th grade division, and Ryota Yatagawa in the 5th and 6th grade division.
The winners received a championship shield and an Antlers towel scarf as proof of their achievement!
As the tournaments progressed, not only did their skills and intensity improve, but their desire not to lose also seemed to grow.
We hope the winning players can achieve consecutive victories, and that the players who lost will use their frustration as motivation to work hard in their training!
[Saturday, May 18th: Soccer School in Kamisu]
The "Soccer School in Kamisu" was held at Yadabe Soccer Field, the venue for the Kashima Antlers School Kamisu Campus.
Not only school students, but also many players new to soccer participated.
The weather was favorable on the day, and participants were seen enjoying soccer seriously with coaches and teammates. It was an event where a continuous string of great plays allowed everyone to feel the joy and fun of soccer!
At "Kamisu City Yadabe Soccer Field," which was the venue on the day, classes are held every Wednesday and Thursday, with over 150 players enjoying soccer!
Please come for a free trial!
・Kashima Antlers School Kamisu Campus Details
Venue: Kamisu City Yadabe Soccer Field (12620 Yadabe, Kamisu City)
[Wednesdays]
・16:20-17:10: Kids, 1st & 2nd graders
・17:25-18:25: 3rd & 4th graders
・18:40-19:40: 5th & 6th graders
・18:40-20:00: Special Course for 3rd-6th graders *Selection course.
[Thursdays]
・17:20-18:10: Kids, Game Course for 1st & 2nd graders
・18:25-19:25: Game Course for 3rd-6th graders
・18:30-19:50: Special Course for 2nd graders *Selection course.
*The Game Course is a school focused on matches.
[Saturday, May 18th: GK School]
The "GK School" was held at the Kashima Antlers Clubhouse for 1st to 6th graders.
On the day, training was divided into sessions for lower grades and upper grades.
For lower grades, the theme was "Enjoying GK and acquiring fundamentals," while for upper grades, it was "Positioning and stopping shots."
In the lower grades, warm-up exercises included ball-feeling drills such as manipulating the ball freely and throwing and catching it themselves to get accustomed to the ball.
Next, they trained in stance and catching techniques, learning how to extend their hands according to the ball's height and position, and how to fall safely to avoid injury.
Finally, they played a game using hand passes, challenging themselves to make catches and shot stops in a match-like scenario while having fun!
In the upper grades, warm-up exercises included ball-feeling and coordination drills to move the body as intended.
As it is essential for goalkeepers to move their bodies freely, various movements were performed to improve coordination skills!
In training, in addition to acquiring basic techniques such as catching and rolling down, positioning was also emphasized.
The number of shots that can be stopped varies greatly depending on whether the positioning is correct or not. By playing while checking their own position and the distance to the near post, they gradually became able to deal with shots with accurate positioning!
Finally, a 1v1 game was played.
By making precise positioning adjustments during movement and performing accurate plays against shots, smooth shot stops led to attacks.
This time, over 20 goalkeepers gathered for training.
With many fellow goalkeepers coming together, they stimulated each other, and their skills improved remarkably in a short amount of time!
We hope they become goalkeepers who can win games for their team by stopping shots!
