Posts by akoaytao1234

    I do agree with Sitenoise. While the idea of working abroad would definitely be a great idea for Japanese players, I do not think that it will defiantly improve a player's game, or especially improve their chances in the national team. From the player's I had known to have played abroad, mostly libero's had really had a great career abroad, because they do a simple job- Defend. It is different for pins. They are built different than almost other international pins. They are smaller and while defensively able, their defense and offense is built specifically to supplement a great defensive team. They are also underdeveloped physically. In fact, some of these players are used only for defensive purposes and thus never really considered a long career playing abroad. There is a reason why only few Japanese spikers have truly played in major leagues.

    The closest players comparatively to Japanese height, who had a relatively long career abroad, are the likes of Yumilka Ruiz, Fe Garay, Gabi, and that Bosetti sister, who are ultimately stronger both offensively and defensively than almost all Japanese pins. And all can handle the Physicality of an offense-based systems.


    Also, I found that internationally experienced players tends retrained, and refamiliarized with the Japanese "style" of play [from what I had read in the forums]. Making the change ultimately useless since the styles of plays does not conform with each other. The knowledge does not really transfer as the system does not permit it. In addition, I would argue against foreign play is that there seems to a weird "taboo" when doing it. A lot of players who had played abroad, had not really translated well for their national team chances. Only Kimura, Okumura and maybe Nagaoka had a fairly notable NT career after playing abroad[1].

    In the end, I would argue is that they need to at least try what the men's team did. Create a system that is willing to learn from foreign counterpart. The level of play of Japan is strong still BUT Nakada's action towards Tokyo 2020 shows a huge problem. The old guards are hindering the growth of female volleyball. Currently, I think Japan is too obsessed with "defense" and "speed" that they do not realize that there is some much more to improve on. On paper, the Tokyo 2020 first 6 [ONLY] is much better than the Rio 2016 team BUT unlike the RIO team, they faltered. Defense and Offence is phenomenal BUT they do not have the urgency that Saori, Nabeya and Nagaoka had. Problems like the lack of presence in the middle is still an ongoing problem. DOM practically just run their middle AND Japan's digging was in shambles. OOS plays is almost always free balls. Small players practically cannot spike on any well build block. Maybe the growth this team need, is where it all starts. The coaching and system, MUST improve. Height must be injected in the grass root level. Muscle training can definitely improved. A different approach in offense must be delivered AND ultimately a coach who had a winning mindset must be chosen. I know this is a lot more easy to write than implement but there are great coaches who had done it with much lesser teams and lesser resources (see Guidetti's and Laverini's team). Japan can definitely do it too.

    PS: [1]I know , my last argument might come off as an unfair sentiment given the biggest Japanese players had not played abroad yet BUT you need to understand that while it will give them a chance to play with the big guns, it also would not really benefit them if they do not really start for their respective teams.
    [2] I do think that Thailand league is the only country that Japanese players might retain what they had learned as they are similarly paced and very defense based.

    Brazil I think lost when Renan did not chose to let go the starters during set 4. Only Lucas was playing relatively well AND by the end, all are disheartened to even bother, which is shocking given the depth that Brazil has.