Coach of Higashiyama Club, who won the national title this summer… “If we don’t provide guidance tailored to each individual, the time spent will be wasted”
The number of ways to learn baseball techniques and practice methods has increased significantly compared to a while ago. One way to do this is to use videos such as YouTube as teaching materials. However, Toyohide Fujikawa, general manager of the Higashiyama Club, a junior high school softball baseball club in Aichi Prefecture that achieved the number one title in Japan this summer, points out, “It’s difficult for elementary and junior high school students to become better by referring to YouTube.”
Higashiyama Club won the All Japan Youth Softball Tournament this summer. Graduates have gone on to play at Koshien or go on to play professionally, and are said to have the best training ability in Aichi Prefecture. Director Fujikawa, who founded the team 38 years ago, has always followed the same policy of “guidance tailored to each player.” For example, there are many possible reasons why a pitcher may be facing problems with shot rotation. He points out that the situation will not change unless advice and practice suggestions are given to resolve the cause.
“Suppose there are four reasons for shot rotation, from A to D. A coach who only tells every player reason A will not be able to develop a pitcher whose shot rotation is due to reason D. If there is no coach who can identify the cause of the rotation, the time spent by the players will be wasted.”
The same goes for batting, and coaches are required to have the ability to correctly judge the reasons why a batted ball doesn’t travel far or hit the center of the bat. The way you say things is also important, and simply telling players that the bat is coming out from below will not lead to understanding. Is he trying to get the bat out from under him, or is he using his body incorrectly? Before that, there may be a problem with the way you grip the bat.
What is important is the ability to judge the characteristics of the players…Lack of improvement is the “instructor’s problem”
Even if there is no problem with the way you hit the ball, malfunction or fatigue may be the cause. Coach Fujikawa said, “I think there are many coaches who immediately adjust their form when they can’t hit the ball.I often tell the players, “Your form is good.”I encourage players to continue with the same form and adjust their movement. “If your eyesight gets better or your body gets bigger, you’ll be able to hit the ball better,” he says.
Coach Fujikawa cautions against practicing by referring to videos posted on YouTube, as coaching methods vary depending on the player. He says that about 70% of the videos are “questionable as a theory or practice method.”
“Even if the content of the video is correct, it may or may not suit the player.If you incorporate it without determining whether it is appropriate, even if you take the time, it may have the opposite effect. ”
Director Fujikawa explains that it takes a certain amount of time to master a technique. He then emphasizes, “If the players aren’t doing well, I don’t think it’s their fault, but the problem with the way they are coached.” The difference in his coaching ability is reflected in his ability to identify the characteristics and challenges of players and propose methods that suit each individual.
（間淳 / Jun Aida）
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