Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Warming Up
It was a muggy day in Kawasaki on Sunday, though by later in the day things cooled off a bit and a nice breeze picked up.
After a rather sluggish first half, Team Japan sharpened up after halftime, and dominated a clearly outmatched All-Nihon Phoenix squad in a tune-up game for the Notre Dame Japan Bowl coming up on July 25th.
The Phoenix suffered from a harassed and erratic passing attack- 3 interceptions and 25-52 in the air for 220 yards passing, and gained 57 yen yards rushing. They were only able to manage three drives of more than six plays.
Team Japan had even less on the ground- 45 yards on 25 carries, yet amassed 572 yards in total offense, 527 yards in the air. Panasonic Impulse QB Tetsuo Takata threw for 324 yards including 3 TDs and no interceptions, and was 21-29 on the day. They struck immediately on the first play from scrimmage- a 70 yard TD pass from Takata to Noriaki Kinoshita. Kinoshita had five catches for 118 yards and two TDs, and Takata's Impulse teammate Shouei Hasegawa had four catches for 75 yards and two TDs. Shun Sugawara was 7-9 for 162 yards and a TD. Koushi Moriya (now playing with the Fujitsu Fronteirs) had four catches for 51 yards and 1 TD for the Phoenix.
Kinoshita, the former NFL Europe standout, is currently training at Ritsumeikan, his alma mater. He will be working out with the New York franchise of the incipient UFL come September.
The Phoenix squad included many Nichidai alumni as well as current players. The Japan Team consisted of 84 members, most of them from the usual suspects: Impulse, Fujitsu, Kajima Deers, Obic Seagulls, Asahi Beer Silver Stars, and the Sagamihara Rise (now X-3, but formerly the X-1 Onward Skylarks); with a sprinkling of some other X-League and top university teams. All but a dozen of the players are in their twenties, but Impulse DL Yasuo Wakisaka turned forty in May. Waseda U. RB Tomokazu Sueyoshi is 19. The squad will be cut down to 60 players for the Notre Dame Japan Bowl game on 7/25.
My sympathy for those hardworking Team Japan cheerleaders, who were dressed in black training clothes in the hot sun, though that didn't seem to stop them from putting out their usual fine effort.
I must confess I really enjoyed hearing the sound of live music at a football game, as the Phoenix fortunately brought their school band and cheerleaders.
Also evident was continued construction on Kawasaki Stadium to expand seating (though unfortunately this cuts further into the grass area I would like to see used as a picnic area). This is indicative of Kawasaki's commitment to football.
After a rather sluggish first half, Team Japan sharpened up after halftime, and dominated a clearly outmatched All-Nihon Phoenix squad in a tune-up game for the Notre Dame Japan Bowl coming up on July 25th.
The Phoenix suffered from a harassed and erratic passing attack- 3 interceptions and 25-52 in the air for 220 yards passing, and gained 57 yen yards rushing. They were only able to manage three drives of more than six plays.
Team Japan had even less on the ground- 45 yards on 25 carries, yet amassed 572 yards in total offense, 527 yards in the air. Panasonic Impulse QB Tetsuo Takata threw for 324 yards including 3 TDs and no interceptions, and was 21-29 on the day. They struck immediately on the first play from scrimmage- a 70 yard TD pass from Takata to Noriaki Kinoshita. Kinoshita had five catches for 118 yards and two TDs, and Takata's Impulse teammate Shouei Hasegawa had four catches for 75 yards and two TDs. Shun Sugawara was 7-9 for 162 yards and a TD. Koushi Moriya (now playing with the Fujitsu Fronteirs) had four catches for 51 yards and 1 TD for the Phoenix.
Kinoshita, the former NFL Europe standout, is currently training at Ritsumeikan, his alma mater. He will be working out with the New York franchise of the incipient UFL come September.
The Phoenix squad included many Nichidai alumni as well as current players. The Japan Team consisted of 84 members, most of them from the usual suspects: Impulse, Fujitsu, Kajima Deers, Obic Seagulls, Asahi Beer Silver Stars, and the Sagamihara Rise (now X-3, but formerly the X-1 Onward Skylarks); with a sprinkling of some other X-League and top university teams. All but a dozen of the players are in their twenties, but Impulse DL Yasuo Wakisaka turned forty in May. Waseda U. RB Tomokazu Sueyoshi is 19. The squad will be cut down to 60 players for the Notre Dame Japan Bowl game on 7/25.
My sympathy for those hardworking Team Japan cheerleaders, who were dressed in black training clothes in the hot sun, though that didn't seem to stop them from putting out their usual fine effort.
I must confess I really enjoyed hearing the sound of live music at a football game, as the Phoenix fortunately brought their school band and cheerleaders.
Also evident was continued construction on Kawasaki Stadium to expand seating (though unfortunately this cuts further into the grass area I would like to see used as a picnic area). This is indicative of Kawasaki's commitment to football.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Notre Dame Japan Bowl 2009
This year is the 75th anniversary of American Football in Japan. As part of the celebration, Notre Dame Alumni will be playing in the NOTRE DAME JAPAN BOWL 2009 on Sat, 25 Jul 09. Gates open 14:00 game starts at 16:10. Lou Holtz and Tim Brown will be here and they say they will bring a competitive team to challenge the Japan American Football Association.
http://americanfootball.jp/ndjb
http://americanfootball.jp/ndjb
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Seeing through the Iris
Yesterday, I attended the Iris Bowl- the championship game of the Urban Football League spring tournament at the 江戸川区陸上競技場. Because of the running track around the field, the stands are rather far from the field, but it is a nice facility, and the lack of rain, and the nice breeze off the water made it a pleasant afternoon.
The game offered some excitement, but the BattleHawks were handily defeated by the Roebucks. Both teams have a rather long history for Japanese teams (the Roebucks were formed in 1974, the Battlehawks in 1981).
While ball handling mistakes no doubt played a part, depth was certainly also a factor in the one-sided nature of the game. This is all too often the case with football games here. Unfortunately game and season results directly proportional to roster size: the team with the larger roster usually wins. Size definitely does matter. Of course quality is also certainly important- particularly as we rise to the highest levels. But without a certain critical mass- quite literally- it becomes difficult to establish much of anything. Many teams are simply in need of warm bodies.
The nature of football- with its requirements of specialization, the possibilities of injury, and the need for numbers to properly prepare and practice, means that accumulating greater numbers is important to the health and survival of most teams, save perhaps a few elite Division 1 teams.
This is essential to help grow the game of football across a broader base. So to help with this issue, I will use some of the resources of this website and help players and teams to find each other. I invite you to submit information to accomplish this.
At the game, I met a fascinating team called the U59ers (technically under 59, but in fact anyone over 40 is welcome). More on them later...
The game offered some excitement, but the BattleHawks were handily defeated by the Roebucks. Both teams have a rather long history for Japanese teams (the Roebucks were formed in 1974, the Battlehawks in 1981).
While ball handling mistakes no doubt played a part, depth was certainly also a factor in the one-sided nature of the game. This is all too often the case with football games here. Unfortunately game and season results directly proportional to roster size: the team with the larger roster usually wins. Size definitely does matter. Of course quality is also certainly important- particularly as we rise to the highest levels. But without a certain critical mass- quite literally- it becomes difficult to establish much of anything. Many teams are simply in need of warm bodies.
The nature of football- with its requirements of specialization, the possibilities of injury, and the need for numbers to properly prepare and practice, means that accumulating greater numbers is important to the health and survival of most teams, save perhaps a few elite Division 1 teams.
This is essential to help grow the game of football across a broader base. So to help with this issue, I will use some of the resources of this website and help players and teams to find each other. I invite you to submit information to accomplish this.
At the game, I met a fascinating team called the U59ers (technically under 59, but in fact anyone over 40 is welcome). More on them later...
Sunday, June 14, 2009
HS Football Japan style
On a nice day for football, the Kanto High School Tournament Semi-Finals were held at Komazawa Dai-ni Stadium. While the first game was not close, in spite of some nice throws and catches for Waseda late in the game. In the second game St. Paul's Rushers managed a hard fought 16-10 victory over Komaba Fighting Gorillas.
The Rushers scored on their first play from scrimmage on a well-thrown deep crossing route to the TE for a 69 yard TD. The Fighting Gorillas responded a few plays later in their first offensive series with a 63 yard run that made it 7 all.
In the second quarter, the Rushers were turned away at the Gorilla goal line. But on the very next play, the Gorilla RB was tackled in the end zone to make it 9-7. St. Paul's subsequent drive resulted in a TD to make it 16-7. Both teams moved the ball, but interceptions and key mistakes kept the score down. Several Fighting Gorilla "Wish Passes" were thrown into double coverage. Komaba also had problems in the kicking game, including a muffed punt near the goal line.
That said, I was often impressed by the quality of play and overall effort by the high school gridders. I had an opportunity to sped a bit of time in the stands, and I must say I was impressed by the passion of the fans present, especially the mothers- who were sometimes quite vocal and astute in their appraisals of what was taking place on the field.
The Rushers scored on their first play from scrimmage on a well-thrown deep crossing route to the TE for a 69 yard TD. The Fighting Gorillas responded a few plays later in their first offensive series with a 63 yard run that made it 7 all.
In the second quarter, the Rushers were turned away at the Gorilla goal line. But on the very next play, the Gorilla RB was tackled in the end zone to make it 9-7. St. Paul's subsequent drive resulted in a TD to make it 16-7. Both teams moved the ball, but interceptions and key mistakes kept the score down. Several Fighting Gorilla "Wish Passes" were thrown into double coverage. Komaba also had problems in the kicking game, including a muffed punt near the goal line.
That said, I was often impressed by the quality of play and overall effort by the high school gridders. I had an opportunity to sped a bit of time in the stands, and I must say I was impressed by the passion of the fans present, especially the mothers- who were sometimes quite vocal and astute in their appraisals of what was taking place on the field.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
promoting american football
I was at Amino Vital over the weekend and saw several spring college games including Ritsumeikan's and Keio's blowouts of Tokai and Tokyo Gakudai, and a game between Teikyo and Hitotsubashi that was much closer, at least until later in the 4th quarter.
Meanwhile, there was a large family event going on at Ajinomoto Stadium, and the "Big Flea Market" going on just outside the gates.
This of course, was a good chance to expose and promote football to families attending. Indeed, inside the gates of Amino Vital, there was a popular attraction with mini footballs for kids to try to throw through a hole and volunteers instructing them- that was fun; and a table with information on American football, and helmets for kids to try on a get Polaroid pictures taking. A nice start. I'd like to see more of this, and perhaps a bit more aggressive promotion (e.g. sending volunteers (perhaps in Teams Japan jerseys and helmets) through the flea market, and outside Tobitakyu Station and Ajinomoto Stadium. Perhaps there are other attractions for the kids and families as well. One of the things that makes football special in the US is the tail gate picnic atmosphere that I think would be fantastic to adopt here. I hope to post more about this subject of promoting football in Japan in the near future, and welcome any comments and suggestions you may have.
More needs to be done to draw families into becoming fans, so let's applaud that effort, and really hope to see more, and more often.
Meanwhile, there was a large family event going on at Ajinomoto Stadium, and the "Big Flea Market" going on just outside the gates.
This of course, was a good chance to expose and promote football to families attending. Indeed, inside the gates of Amino Vital, there was a popular attraction with mini footballs for kids to try to throw through a hole and volunteers instructing them- that was fun; and a table with information on American football, and helmets for kids to try on a get Polaroid pictures taking. A nice start. I'd like to see more of this, and perhaps a bit more aggressive promotion (e.g. sending volunteers (perhaps in Teams Japan jerseys and helmets) through the flea market, and outside Tobitakyu Station and Ajinomoto Stadium. Perhaps there are other attractions for the kids and families as well. One of the things that makes football special in the US is the tail gate picnic atmosphere that I think would be fantastic to adopt here. I hope to post more about this subject of promoting football in Japan in the near future, and welcome any comments and suggestions you may have.
More needs to be done to draw families into becoming fans, so let's applaud that effort, and really hope to see more, and more often.
times are changing
Football in Japan have finally updated the clock procedures to match the NCAA rules- the so called 40/25 clock. Normally 40 seconds to run a play; 25 second when the clock is stopped. When the ball goes out of bounds (in all but the last two minutes of each half), the clock stops only until the ball is set and the official gives the "Ready For Play" signal. This was done to speed up games in the NCAA, which have been exceeding 3 hours.
The actual results of the rule? For one, it will make it easier for a team with a lead to run out the clock, as they have 40 seconds to snap the ball now, rather than 25 seconds plus whatever time it took officials to set the ball. Which points to one of the reasons why it is probably a good rule, as previously the officials were often quite inconsistent in the time it took to setting the ball.
Some may argue that 40 seconds is a bit longer than teams need- while 30 seconds may be too fast, perhaps it should be 35 or 36 seconds. I don't know.
What I would like to see rather than- or in addition to- stopping the clock when the ball goes out of bounds would be stopping the clock temporarily on incomplete passes. As it currently stands, the game clock stops on all incomplete passes. I think this has resulted in a large variation in the length of football games in recent years. Running plays stop the clock far less often, especially now with the out of bounds clock rules. In NCAA games where some teams pass 50 or 60 times each, that can possibly mean stopping the clock fifty to a hundred times for incomplete passes. Some (60 minute) games now approach four hours in length. Making the timing consistent run or pass, would result in games of more uniform time length.
Irregular lengths of games certainly creates problems for television, as it throws off programming and paid advertising schedules. Scheduling for facilities, teams, and fans can be improved when games are of more uniform length. Just as importantly (though I am not aware of any statistics yet), one may surmise that longer games quite probably lead to more health and safety issues. Longer time on the field- particularly in hot or poor weather conditions- increases the exposure to injury or other medical issues.
The actual results of the rule? For one, it will make it easier for a team with a lead to run out the clock, as they have 40 seconds to snap the ball now, rather than 25 seconds plus whatever time it took officials to set the ball. Which points to one of the reasons why it is probably a good rule, as previously the officials were often quite inconsistent in the time it took to setting the ball.
Some may argue that 40 seconds is a bit longer than teams need- while 30 seconds may be too fast, perhaps it should be 35 or 36 seconds. I don't know.
What I would like to see rather than- or in addition to- stopping the clock when the ball goes out of bounds would be stopping the clock temporarily on incomplete passes. As it currently stands, the game clock stops on all incomplete passes. I think this has resulted in a large variation in the length of football games in recent years. Running plays stop the clock far less often, especially now with the out of bounds clock rules. In NCAA games where some teams pass 50 or 60 times each, that can possibly mean stopping the clock fifty to a hundred times for incomplete passes. Some (60 minute) games now approach four hours in length. Making the timing consistent run or pass, would result in games of more uniform time length.
Irregular lengths of games certainly creates problems for television, as it throws off programming and paid advertising schedules. Scheduling for facilities, teams, and fans can be improved when games are of more uniform length. Just as importantly (though I am not aware of any statistics yet), one may surmise that longer games quite probably lead to more health and safety issues. Longer time on the field- particularly in hot or poor weather conditions- increases the exposure to injury or other medical issues.
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