There is a clear origin point for Mitsutaka Nakamura’s technical philosophy: the individual skills training he stacked up during his junior high school years. He says that many of the sensibilities he now imparts to children at his academy were cultivated during that period.

 

—You were surprised at how quickly the children absorb things today.

They’re incredibly fast. Some of them try to do what I’ve told them the very same day, and there are moments when I can tell, “Oh, you were aiming for that just now.” Of course, they can’t master the technique immediately. But doing something while “knowing the state of it” is completely different from doing it while knowing nothing.

 

—Is the act of knowing it in itself important?

Yes. For example, knowing “why you trap the ball there” or “why you look at that spot now.” Just knowing those things changes the quality of the practice. It doesn’t matter if they can’t do it right away. But by just having that sense, they can suddenly change six months or a year later. That’s what I believe technique is all about.

 

—Where does your own technical origin lie, Coach Nakamura?

It’s my junior high years. I was made to do an insane amount of individual skills practice. I’d line up cones, and if I even slightly grazed one, I had to start over. At first, it would all fall apart, but they’d tell me, “That’s your current level of technique,” and I’d just do it again.

 

—That’s very meticulous training.

It was. But I think those repetitions are what connect to where I am now. Ultimately, technique is repetition. I didn’t understand the point of it at first, of course (laughs). But now I realize, “Oh, that’s what this was all about.”

 

—Are you incorporating your experiences from back then into your current coaching?

Yes. I use a lot of complex drills now, too. It’s not just simple repetition; it’s more about having them perform while creating various situations. My own coach from back then was a huge influence. I’m still in touch with him; I ask him about the drills we used to do, and we talk on the phone. He really is the foundation of who I am. Apparently, he’s trying to create a “second me,” but it seems like one hasn’t really emerged yet (laughs).

 

—That’s probably a tall order (laughs). How do today’s children look to you?

They’re skillful. They’re much better than we were. But, conversely, there’s also a feeling that they are becoming “too soccer-like.”

 

—What does “soccer-like” mean?

Things like possession, formations, and shapes. Of course, those are important, but I don’t think you can do those without technique first. In the end, once they get older, everyone will be taught tactics. I think it’s better to focus more on technique now. If they only learn the shapes during their elementary school years, they’ll end up hitting a wall as players if they can’t beat someone one-on-one.

 

—What do you place the most emphasis on?

One-on-one battles. Not being afraid. If you keep avoiding that, you’ll eventually hit a wall somewhere. Today’s kids, first and foremost, come from a place of “not wanting to fail.” They don’t want the ball taken away, they don’t want to make mistakes. So they immediately escape with a pass or choose the easy way out. But soccer is essentially a series of one-on-one situations, and if you keep running away from that, you’ll hit a wall. Of course, passing is important, too. But you can’t go to the next level unless you’re a player who can hold the ball and beat your man yourself. So, I tell them quite often now: “It’s fine to fail, so just take the challenge.”

 

—It must be difficult to convey that mindset to an age group whose bodies aren’t fully developed yet.

Exactly. Kids who have speed just try to rely on that speed alone. But they will definitely hit a wall somewhere. And when they do, it becomes tough if they don’t have the technical skills.

 

—You were a technical player during your career.

Right, so because I lacked raw speed, I focused on the timing of when to beat my defender. During my career, I had speed within a five-meter range, so I thought about where to use that. I only needed to be fast for that one instant. I didn’t think about running fast the whole time; it’s about where you use that speed. I believe that sensibility is important. You can beat your man if you’re just fast for that one instant of five meters. That’s why I tell the kids today, “Don’t try to run fast the whole time.” Learn where to use it.

 

—So it’s about how to “use” your speed.

Exactly. If you’re fast, that’s great. But it’s meaningless if you don’t know how to use that weapon. There’s a period where you can get by on speed alone, but there will absolutely come a time when you’ll stop. When that happens, do you have the sense of “how do I beat them?” Unless you engrave that into your body now, I don’t think you’ll be able to do it if someone tells you to try later on.

 

—Is there anything you find “a pity” about today’s children?

Yes. They’re skillful, but the desire not to fail is very strong. Sometimes I think they should just enjoy it more (laughs). They try to find the “right answer” in a strange way, as if they’re becoming too focused on “it has to be this way.” But soccer is ultimately a sport where you feel and choose for yourself. So, I think it’s fine to be more free.

 

—What do you think is most important during these formative years?

It’s technique, without a doubt. Technique makes soccer fun and allows you to think. I don't think anything else can branch out without that as a base.

 

—Lastly, what do you want to leave with the children?

My own sensibility, I suppose. Even if they don’t understand it now, I’d be happy if they looked back later and thought, “Oh, that’s what he meant.” Everyone hits a wall at some point, after all. If they can remember even a little bit of what I taught when that happens, I’d be happy.