Tadashi K.

Coaching experience: I coached both the middle school and high school soccer teams at Keimei Gakuen in Akishima, Japan, from April 2016 to March 2018 — roughly 20 players per team, across two age groups simultaneously.

Levels/age groups: Middle school and high school age athletes (school-age, youth level), training both groups 5 days a week plus a weekend match.

I competed in soccer in Japan from age 6 to 18. From age 11 to 16, I was consistently selected to represent Yamagata Prefecture on the prefectural select team, competing against other prefectures at the regional level. I did not compete at the collegiate or professional level, but I trained and played alongside several athletes who went on to the professional J-League.

I focus on on-the-ball fundamentals, which is divided into:

1. kick (pass, shoot, clearance, etc)
2. carry (to get past the opponent, to change the circumstance/situation)
3. control

These 3 skills are used:
- using different parts of your body
- for different purposes
- with varying frequency (some used more than others)

I tend to focus more on what's used more often, but I also tweak things up based on your strength/weakness/needs.

I also listen to the player's struggles and give advice on other topics such as off-the-ball skills, mental models, and psychology.