The first scrimmage... ゲーム動画 video





















Hiroshima, December 2008 - This was the first scrimmage the 10th graders had ever experienced.
The five 11th graders had only participated in two scrimmages the prior year so they were pretty green. This would be the first of many steps in learning to play as a unit. 
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The teams were balanced by size and experience to minimize chance of injury. I quarterbacked the white team so I could determine who got the ball. If I thought a kid could take care of himself I'd get them the ball.
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Distributing the football turned out to be simpler than expected as the body language of a kid who wants the ball and one who's just trying to survive are different. As beginners the situation put a lot of pressure on them. The reluctant kids who wanted nothing to do with being the "go to guy" would fidget during the cadence and go the wrong way at the snap.
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In the offensive huddle there were times we had to talk a kid into being the go to guy on a particular play. They'd often wilt under pressure and plead not to be the targeted receiver or ball carrier. Other players in the huddle would join in the pressuring until the reluctant ones relented. One by one we'd work through the skill positions until everyone got a touch. Afterwards we'd desensitize them by making fun of anything funny that occurred during their big moment.
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Upon surviving their first collision players often change; they stand, check their limbs, straighten their helmet and skip back to the huddle smiling. Without fail they want the ball again; this transformation occurred with both offensive and defensive players. Although, every now and then a kid will vanish after a scrimmage never to be seen again.
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Everyday spent among the young is entertaining. On this particular day one or two kids had somehow managed to make it through the entire 45 minutes without touching another person.  

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Purpose...

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When the young guys first joined the team they seemed unaware there was more to the athletic experience than just chasing a ball for a couple hours and going home. Many of the Johoku teams of the past barely had enough players to field a team. There were many complicated reasons for the situation. Consequently many of the beneficial developmental aspects that come from being a member of a team weren't present. 
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As far as I know anytime there's a group or an organization unified in purpose there has to be a synchronization of sorts among it's members. Only then do you have a chance at achieving anything; it's the only reason I show up at the football field. Initially I felt discipline was woefully lacking. Players had different reactions to my methods; some adapted, many resisted. It was a process complicated by local cultural differences. I was encouraged when parents began writing letters expressing appreciation for some of things the kids were doing. That's all I had to go on, instinct and a few letters.  
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Scrimmages...
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The scrimmages were a big production. We'd invite any football team or older alumni in the area who still had equipment. In Japan the difference in the level of play in football between high schools and universities is negligible. For Hiroshima area teams at every level it's rare to have enough players for a full scrimmage. Because of this we established an open door policy to anybody willing to don equipment to come to our practice field. Then we'd pull out the red and white game jerseys and have a draft. It was the local debut of the "red versus white" scrimmage phenomenon. The referee was a math teacher.

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The coin toss
 Green helmets - Shudo University players
Striped grey pants - Johoku juniors
Plain white pants - Johoku first year players
Official -  Teacher
(2008) Hiroshima, Japan



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The teams warming - up.
(2008) Hiroshima, Japan
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Johoku vs "Old Guys"
(Shudo University &  Kure Gulf Angels)
First Quarter
Hiroshima, Japan (2009)

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By the fall of 2009 the this particular group had played against much older players on five occasions. Though not ideal, it was good for their confidence as they'd become desensitized to their old fears. 

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Johoku alumni helped in many ways...
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(1991) Newport News, Virginia...

The Peninsula (VA) Poseidons 1991 - 1993

The Peninsula (VA) Poseidons    1991 - 1993
Coached by John Quillen and backed by Peninsula developers George and Ed Fiscella, the Poseidons went on to become one of the more successful regional football organizations in the country during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Big contracts? Not one. These guys went to work every day just as most folks do. Endorsement opportunities? Maybe the occasional parking ticket. Fun? Hell yes. Where else can a grown man get together with fifty or so buddies and legally thump some heads? (For more click on photo)

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(Click Logo for Mason-Dixon Football League Link)

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Poseidons photos 1991 - 93

Poseidons photos  1991 - 93
Click helmet for photo link .

Coach, John Quillen

Coach, John Quillen
Coach John Quillen with RB (#21) Brian Harris ...Hines Middle School, Newport News, VA 1991 (click on photo for more)

Behind the curtain...

Behind the curtain...
Owners Ed and George Fiscella (click photo for article link)

Home...

Home...
John B. Todd Stadium - Newport News, Virginia (Click photo for history)

Season one...Step one...

Season one...Step one...
The Tidewater (VA) Sharks vs Peninsula (VA) Poseidons - Who knew the crowd would come out in droves? Under the bright lights with the cameras rolling, ...fans yelling obscenities, ...dancers prancing, ...We "manned-up". ... Todd Stadium, Newport News, VA ...August 17, 1991 (click photo for article)

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"Lump"

"Lump"
"Lump" didn't talk much...he just ran through folks. He played linebacker in 1991 (#58), and moved to strong safety (#42) from 1992 (click on article for the story)

The Quarterback derby...

The Quarterback derby...
The Poseidons were never hurting for quarterbacks. Initially led by Wayne Johnson (#5), the Poseidons had the good fortune to be deep at this position.

"Hubba"... (Happy hour)

"Hubba"...   (Happy hour)
TE (#81) Terrence Howell, also known as "Hubba", was a load to bring down. A lot of DBs would make "career decisions" and opt out of taking him on head on, only to find out that the big man was deceptively quick. ... Don't let his size fool you, I've seen him go 75 plus yards to the house leaving many a DB in the dust. ...He was definitely old school because he had his socks pulled all the way up to his throat....He's a Virginia Tech alumnus. (click article for Virginia Tech football link)

Chapman

Chapman
SS (#42) James Chapman ...(Click photo for article)

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The Poseidons defense waits for the Arbutus Maryland offense. ...Arbutus (MD) AAA Big Red is one of the oldest amateur football organizations in the US. (For more info about Arbutus Big Red Football click on the photo above) Fort Eustis, VA 1991

Barnes

Barnes
Poseidons vs Arbutus Maryland "Big Red" - pictured (#12) Robert Barnes WR ...Tackling Robert Barnes was like trying to catch your own shadow...you reach for him and you get nothing. ...Barnes, another former Peninsula Pirate, had many talents and went the distance from the backfield, receiver, and as a kick returner. ...Dude could fly. ...Fort Eustis, VA 1991 (Click on photo for article)

Arbutus Maryland "Big Red" vs Poseidons - pictured: LB Johnny Carter (#53), DB Ed Titus (#48), CB J.R. White (#24), CB Aaron Billups (#1) ...Fort Eustis Field, VA 1991

The "voice"

The "voice"
Safety (#2) Daryl Wilson - Daryl talked ...a lot ...and was one of the starting safeties for as long as I can remember on Peninsula teams. He was the old man and "vocal" guy of the secondary. For some reason Daryl and I never really hit it off despite being starters in the same secondary for four years. I was a cornerback and he was a "safely", oops, I meant safety. He’s a former Virginia State player. (click photo for Virginia State Football link)

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Poseidon linebacker (#57) John Britt slams Invader QB Joe Berger to the dirt, Left to right - (#42) Safety James Chapman, (#1) CB Aaron Billups, (#53) LB Johnny Carter, (#49) LB Everett "Sputt" Lee . (click photo for more) ...Alexandria, VA 1991.

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"J.R."... (Galloping to an end zone near you)

"J.R."... (Galloping to an end zone near you)
Cornerback (#24) J.R. White in coverage against the Northern Virginia Invaders... "J.R." is another product of Hampton (H.S.) and Division III powerhouse Ferrum College. J.R. is a former member of the Peninsula (VA) Pirates.. ...Alexandria, VA 1991 (click for Ferrum football link)

Perez

Perez
Kicker (#18) Johnny Perez was automatic for the Poseidons. I can't remember his range, but he hit a few game winners for us. He made it look easy. He's a former James Madison (JMU) player. (click on photo for article)

Poseidons vs Virginia (Richmond) Ravens

Poseidons vs Virginia (Richmond) Ravens
Poseidon safety (#42) Linwood Lumpkins (on top) and DT (#74) Jeff Osborne crunching the Raven's running back. Ravens WR (#35) Mike Bridges... Lumpkins aka "Lump" hit dudes as if they were crash test dummies...Osborne had the same demeanor except he was sixty pounds heavier. . (click photo for more) ...Todd Stadium, Newport News, VA 1992

Our nemesis...

Our nemesis...
During the inaugural 1991 season, the Poseidons only lost two games, both to the Baltimore Bears... (click photo for more Daily Press Poseidons articles)

The second season...

The second season...
How do you top going 10 and 2 and making it to the play-offs your inaugural season ? ...Read on.

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(click on article above for full Daily Press article)

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After the Washington Bulls scrimmage - pictured from the left: DB (#1) Aaron Billups, DB (#48) Ed Titus, DB (#27) Sean "Light bulb" Jones, kneeling: DT (#98) Michael "Money" Minor. (click photo) ...Smithfield, VA 1992

The Traveler...

The Traveler...
Quarterback (#10) Scott Woodlief (Click photo for article)

Second season,...First test...

Second season,...First test...
Some of the names changed; but the band played on... (Click photo for article)

Deja vu... dem damn Bears.

Deja vu... dem damn Bears.
The Baltimore Bears came to town and got us yet again 19 - 7 - pictured: QB (#10) Scott Woodlief getting dragged to the dirt by a Baltimore player ...Todd Stadium, Newport News, VA 1992 (click photo for more about the Baltimore Bears )

Poseidons vs Tidewater (VA) Sharks - Melvin Dillard (#8) had 151 yards on 4 punt returns that night. - pictured left to right: Defensive Coordinator Ted Bacote, (#4) DB Rick Nicely, (#68) DB Patrick Dorsey, (#8) DB Melvin Dillard, (#1) DB Aaron Billups ...Foreman Field, Norfolk, VA 1992 (Click photo for article)

Priorities...

Priorities...
Now that man had his priorities straight. ..He made sure that the game was penciled in somewhere on the schedule. (Click on article for more)

Crossed the bay...

Crossed the bay...
Quarterback Devonne Brown came over to the Peninsula from Tidewater in 1993.

MDFL standings after 1992 playoffs.

MDFL standings after 1992 playoffs.
.In ten games the Poseidons defense gave-up fifty points.

The secondary...

The secondary...
The DBs - standing from left: (#8) Melvin Dillard, DB Coach Ben Johnson, (#39) Joe Jones, (#27) Sean "Lightbulb" Jones, kneeling from left: (#1) Aaron Billups, (#17) Brian "Sparkplug" Christian, (#41) Leroy Mask, (#42) Linwood Lumpkins - not pictured, (#2) Daryl Wilson - not pictured, (#4) Rick Nicely - not pictured, (#9) Erskine Smith - not pictured, (#68) Patrick "Van Halen" Dorsey - not pictured, (#22) Doug Vette - not pictured. ...Todd Stadium, Newport News, VA 1992

This article should have been called "The Melvin Dillard Show with the Poseidons"...Melvin seemed to take over games all by himself a few times a year. ...It was fun to watch. (click article for MDFL past champions link)

Homerun hitters...

Homerun hitters...
On the left, WR (#12) Robert Barnes terrorized defenses with his circus catches and slashing runs...on the right, CB (#8) Melvin Dillard. Dillard was usually the leading receiver for the other team's QB...the catch is...he's on OUR team, not theirs. If you threw his way, it was his ball (as many opposing QB's found out). He was also a kick returner extraordinaire. ...Dillard is a Tabb High School and division III powerhouse Ferrum College product. As a Division III All-American DB and kick returner at Ferrum, Dillard led the nation in punt returns. ...Barnes played college ball at Virginia State University and is also a former Peninsula Pirate. (click photo for more)

Business as usual...

Business as usual...
(Click article for link)

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The Charlotte (NC) Eagles...

The Charlotte (NC) Eagles...
Charlotte (N.C.) Eagles vs Poseidons - pictured: CB (#1) Aaron Billups, LB (#48) Ed Titus - Ed and I rough-up a Charlotte Eagles player... Following the championship run of 1992 the Poseidons underwent some organizational changes. This year (1993) would also be my last year with the team (click on photo for more details).

We all had two lives...

We all had two lives...
(Click photo for article) Newport News, VA 1991

The Pirates of yore... 1988 - 1990

The Pirates of yore...   1988 - 1990
The Peninsula (VA) Pirates (Click photo for article)

Pirates (a tale of hidden treasure)

Pirates (a tale of hidden treasure)
Would you trust these guys? (Left: Nelson H., rear: Mike Swain, right: Dr. Mike Edwards) ...Pirates, by nature are dirty and usually don't make good Bookkeepers (Click photo for the longer story).

"Bull"

"Bull"
LB (#40) Gregg "Bull" Cary. (Pirates & Poseidons) ..The defacto leader of the "Williamsburg crew" a group of players from the Williamsburg area (click photo for story).

Hampton University (VA) 1982 - 1987

Hampton University (VA) 1982 - 1987
Life with Pirates. (Click photo for story)

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1985 CIAA champs...

1985 CIAA champs...

Before "HU" there was this...

Before "HU" there was this...
(Click on photo for more Pirate's history)

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The fellas... circa 1983

The fellas... circa 1983
(#51) Keith "Lunch" Coleman, (#57) Torin "Big T" Smith, (#10) Robert Guy, (#42) Blake "Cadillac" Anderson (click photo for more)

Gone to the Wolves... 1981 - 1982

Gone to the Wolves...   1981 - 1982
Donuts, penitentiaries, and pocket change... Tales of life at Cheyney (PA) State College. (Click photo for story)

The Lakewood Lancers... 1978 - 1980

The Lakewood Lancers...        1978 - 1980
1979 season finale (CIF Southern Section - Harry J. Moore League) Los Angeles, California. ...Lot's of good memories from this period. I can recall one particular night my junior year... (Click photo for story)

One last victory...

One last victory...
Coaches John Ford (on the left) and Gene Gillies congratulate each other after coaching their last game together after many years. I believe it was also Coach Ford's 100th victory as well. We had just carried them off the field after defeating (Long Beach) Wilson High School. (Coach Ford is on my shoulders in this picture). Veteran's Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California 1979 (click on photo for more)

Lakewood (CA) Lancers... 1980

Lakewood (CA) Lancers...  1980
(Click on photo for details)

The West Long Beach Bears, (California)... 1976 - 1977

The West Long Beach Bears, (California)...   1976 - 1977
The Long Beach Bears of Admiral Kidd Park, West Long Beach California (Midget Division, 105 - 160 pounds) - Southern California Pop Warner football with all the trimmings; ...Saturday mornings, chili covered Fritos, ...and the shrieking and stomping of dusty little cheerleaders. (Click on photo for story)

4 decades, 9 teams, 11 coaches, and 16,000 miles later... Hiroshima, Japan (2005 - ? )

Who knew that football was being played on the other side of the world? I sure didn't... After I found out...well, just scroll down this blog and continue reading on...

Football life in Western Japan...(2005 - present)

Football life in Western Japan...(2005 - present)
A decade of coaching on the far side...(click photo for more)

The "Guys from Fukuoka"

The "Guys from Fukuoka"
The “guys from Fukuoka” (standing) joining our summer training session.

Game days...

Game days...
Pre-game rituals... ...Captain (#7) DB Okada ...Koiki Koen, Hiroshima 2006 (Click photo for more)

My "American football" in Japan culture sensei...

My "American football" in Japan culture sensei...
Okayamasan and I coached together from mid 2005 to early 2007 before he retired. He is also a professional football referee in Japan. He coached Johoku for 10 years which is not an easy task in Hiroshima, Japan. He is a Johoku alumnus.

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Okayamasan was a "hands on" kind of coach... He worked multiple jobs in order to coach. In his case, as is typical in Japan coaching does not pay (not money anyway)

"You're not going to die...It's only the right ankle so run with the left one. Now get back in the game"...

The annual Johoku High School OB (alumni) game...

The annual Johoku High School OB (alumni) game...
The annual Johoku OB (alumni) game December 2007. In front wearing red are the current Johoku High School players. On the right, in the black are the current Johoku Junior High flag football team members (many of these same players are members of the 2009 - 2010 Longhorns team). Standing on the left in steet clothes in the rear wearing white are the OBs (alumni). I'm in the front on the far right. Every year I've played in this game alongside the current high school squad. They've been doing this event for years. The OB team consists of current college players, X - League players, and plain old "salarymen". ...Johoku Field, Hiroshima

They were playing as if money were involved... (#18) WR Takahashi squares-off with an alumni player... OB game 2007

Me "Laying the wood" on an OB...

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Johoku graduation traditions...

The "Immaculate tackle"...

The "Immaculate tackle"...
The "Immaculate tackle" …all Johoku defenders (red) were 120 pound 10th graders...They actually brought him down... At first it looked as if they were trying to escort him to the end zone before someone (#12) took the initiative. They stopped him on the 5 yard line. If I remember correctly, this was actually their first game. This is my favorite picture!! ...Hiroshima 2007

Team Captain, (#79) OL/DL Tsubaki (left) leads the warm-ups. He went on to play for Yamaguchi University after high school...Toyonaka High School, Osaka 2006 (click photo for Yamaguchi University football link)

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Mr. Takeshita and an OB (alumni) watched the action in Osaka.

What a way to spend a cold December morning... ...puttin folks in the Dirt!! OB game , 2005

The "Last fumble" for the graduating seniors & Coach Okayama... Koiki Koen, Hiroshima 2006

WR Takahashi (#18) tried to avoid the Dirt in Kyoto... August 2006

Meet the parents...

Meet the parents...
My first speech in Japanese (...very short) at the Bonenkai. Hiroshima, Japan 2007 (Click photo for more)

WR (#85) Izawa clears the way for RB (#35) Oda Jr. Izawa went on to play WR and DB at Ehime University. ...2006 Kobe (click photo for Ehime University football link)

Much appreciated parental support at the OB game... ...Hiroshima 2008

Visitors

Visitors
An American team visiting Japan from Ashland, Oregon. They played against the Japan All-Star team. The Japan All-Star team (composed of the top players from the Kansai area) alternates with Ashland, Oregon High School in hosting this bi-annual game. My players are barely visible behind the Ashland team in this picture. July 2009 Hiroshima (Click on Picture for Ashland Football Link)

We'd play just about anybody...

We'd play just about anybody...
A brief ceremony before the Johoku High School vs Shudo University scrimmage... November 2009 (Click photo for more)

The "Guys from Fukuoka"... (4 guys on a mission)

The "Guys from Fukuoka"...   (4 guys on a mission)
Combined scrimmage... Johoku & the guys from Fukuoka... They came up from Fukuoka with only 4 high school players, 1 beginner who was 26 years old, and 4 teachers. They all suited up and we played a good old fashioned 8 on 8 (half offense vs half defense) scrimmage... August 2008

(Click photo for more)

The brain...

The brain...
The sacred red "brain" (pictured in my right hand) was our master plan. It contained the deep, dark, intricacies of Johoku's offensive and defensive systems. It also contained laminated diagrams of our passing game complete with distances and angles..it allowed everyone in the huddle to understand the details of their assignments quickly without explanation. ...It also allowed some of the college players that joined the "combined scrimmages" to integrate into our offense easily. ...If it were to come-up missing, responsible parties would have been exhiled to a remote island... August 2009

Road Trips... 5 Hours plus...

Road Trips... 5 Hours plus...
Headed to the “jungle" (Kansai) for a game. It takes about five hours by bus from Hiroshima to the Kansai (Osaka-Kobe) area. There are only two high school football teams (Johoku and Sotoku) in the westernmost part of Japan so we have to travel to the Kansai area to compete; either that or we scrimmage the few Hiroshima area colleges or adult clubs. Aside from Sotoku the closest opponent is Mikki High School which is four hours east of Hiroshima by bus. There's no allocated funding from the school that I'm aware of so the player’s equipment and transportation costs come out of their parent's pockets. Charter bus fees to Kansai start from $1,200.00 round trip. The cost is evenly divided among the players for away games. In Japan most schools don't provide sports uniforms or pay expenses as in America; private schools in Japan operate more or less as businesses with little or no government funding (Click on photo for more)

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Heading to Osaka...

From Johoku H.S. to Mikki H.S., 4 Hours by bus... our second "closest" opponent.


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Johoku vs Mikki H.S.... ...The day's Captain was Anada (#50). He proved to be a leader on the field that day as well. Late in the 4th quarter from his linebacker position he stripped the opposing team's running back and dashed 65 yards for the game tying score. We went on to win 12 - 6. ...the pre-game ceremony Mikki 2009

The "back-up"... (a tale of discovering one's place in the food chain)

The "back-up"... (a tale of discovering one's place in the food chain)
Pre-game... (#26) forgot to take the hand-off... again! Who's the guy in the silver helmet? That's the coach (me). We only had thirteen players make this trip and only one QB. If the QB goes down we forfeit...and that’s very bad for both teams. It turned out I did have to play QB for a series (QB #12 was briefly knocked-out),

The rally...

The rally...
Johoku vs Mikki High School, Hyogo Prefecture

The Rivalry... Johoku vs Sotoku

The Rivalry... Johoku vs Sotoku
QB Kato (#3) runs the triple option against Sotoku.... ...Sotoku and Johoku are the only two high school football teams located in western Japan. The schools are separated by only 2 or 3 kilometers. The next nearest high school football team is Mikki H.S. (about 3.5 hours east of Hiroshima by bus). ...Johoku is considered an academic school while Sotoku is more of a sports oriented school. ...Koiki Koen, Hiroshima 2009 (Click on photo for more about Sotoku)

A long day...

A long day...
This group of guys had played together about a year. Here they are doing battle with Osaka Minoo High School.

Doing things in unison...

Doing things in unison...
The guys entered the stadium, warmed-up, and did everything in unison. Nothing novel or new in football, but for most of these guys it was. With them, I made sure everything was done this way. I even mandated that each and every member of the team be similarly equipped with regard to arm pads and the types of cleats they used. The things I wanted to emphasize with them were responsibility, preparedness, and thinking about the details. The football itself was just a means to an end. ...Before the Ritsumeikan Moriyama scrimmage, Shiga... March 2009 (Click photo for more)

Johoku @ Kobe's Rokko...

Johoku @ Kobe's Rokko...
QB (#12) Kondo runs the offense. ...Johoku vs Kobe Rokko... 2010

Our "facility"...

Our "facility"...
The container on the right was ours.

The dungeon...

The dungeon...
This is the inside of my office, spare equipment storage, player confession chamber, locker room. Not the cleanest place in the world as a new form of fungus was discovered at the base of the shelves near the flag football team's shoes. You can see my shoulder pads (#3) on the top of the shelf. This is also where we keep "loaner" football gear for alumni and visitors. Due to our chronic manpower shortage I've established a rule where if a college player or alumnus wants to visit he has to suit up and join me in being another target for the day. Don't have a helmet? We have them in all types and sizes, Riddell, Schutt, you name it; though mostly older models. We also have shoulder pads if you need them. Forgot your cleats? We have those too. High tops or low? Don't worry about a mouth piece either because we'll make you a temporary one out of tape and pre-wrap, although they don't taste very good (for more on football on a budget click on photo)

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My class room was all dirt. ...In Japan, 99% of the football teams play on dirt. In the summer its hard as rock and in the winter it freezes. It is best the day after rain when it is kind of soft. ...In the event of a scrimmage or game after hard rain, the players use buckets and cups to remove the water before we use the field. I've seen parents and alumni help do this prior to the annual OB (alumni) game. After each and every practice or game, all throughout Japan, it is standard procedure for all members of the team to use giant "rakes" to level the entire field and remove imperfections so the ground is smooth and ready for the next practice or event. ...A lot of football programs in America could benefit from doing more of the minutia of the "day to day" stuff. ...Who needs state of the art weight facilities when just "heavy" weights used outdoors will do? The game is played outdoors... ...Who needs air conditioned indoor practice facilities when the elements add to the mental and physical toughness? ...Fix your own damn helmet!!, ...Cut your own field's grass. ..It all adds to the experience.

"No budget" football (not necessarily a bad thing)...

"No budget" football (not necessarily a bad thing)...
The "Edo Jidai" (Edo period 1603-1868) blocking sled at Johoku's practice field. It was more dangerous than useful, but it’s all we had (we broke it in 2009). As you can probably deduce, this is definitely the "anti-Nebraska" program with regard to facilities; and that’s not entirely a bad thing. Apparently for some it would be considered a luxury to have "blue chip" athletes, state of the art weight rooms, and indoor practice facilities. Grounds keepers and training staff might also be considered frivolous depending on where you are. What an eye opener this experience was for me coming from America. As a result of what I’ve had to deal with here consider me a convert. Somehow it all seems more fitting to do things the hard way. Overcoming difficulty is the definition of preparation. If weights are heavy, they’re good enough to lift. If weather is bad, practice in it. ...No squat rack or blocking sled available? Use a mountain. ...No trainer? Tape the players yourself, or better yet, teach them to tape themselves. If the players have low motivation for rigorous training, train with them. I strongly believe that having everyone involved in the minutia of the day to day makes for a better organization. Though football in Japan isn’t developed to anywhere near the level that it is in the US, I’ve come to realize that a lot of what’s deemed as necessary in American football programs isn’t. In the various (US) football programs that I’ve been a part of over the years we didn’t always make full use of what we had. Though by no means impoverished many of those football programs aspired to emulate what the most bloated programs were doing. There’s a mentality that the most newfangled facilities somehow improve the quality of the sport. Case in point: in the summer of 2008 I met a young “aspiring” high school football player from Kyushu (see “the Guys from Fukuoka”). He and his three teammates had travelled three hours by bus to Hiroshima just to practice with my six players. The kid had a huge heart and the physical ability to match. In the various drills he excelled in each. He caught everything I threw, too high, too far, too low. He clearly stood out from everyone and had a big, eager smile on his face the whole time. I looked down at his feet and noticed he had two un-matching shoes, both of which were completely worn out. Turns out, he didn’t own any (Click photo for more)

The stairway to pain...

The stairway to pain...
The "mountain" was made of dirt with a 150 yard, steep stairway at it's base. ...This is where we trained our legs for power and stamina. ...These stairs go vertical about 150 feet from the ground and are about 150 yards total in length. The stairs extend another 10 yards downward beyond the bottom of this picture (they are blocked by a small cemetery), and another 60 yards or so upward beyond the grey pole in the upper center of this picture. The players hated this mountain training. They didn't speak English, but if they heard me say the word "mountain" they'd start mumbling profanity in Japanese. ...After the weight training (...usually 2 twice a week) was finished we would run from the school (...1/2 a mile downhill from this place) to the base of this mountain. We would usually run 2 or 3 sprints up the staircase, intermittently doing plyometrics at the bottom. ...Occasionally, we’d run to the top of this mountain, turn to the left, and follow the mountain trail on a roundabout 1/2 mile course that would lead us back here where we started. ...We (myself included) always ran in full football gear in all weather. ...When we first started the mountain training, the players always complained. After we started "blowing out" teams in the second half of games, they seemed as if they actually looked forward to the mountain training. ...Back in 2007, when I first started using the mountain trail, I would run with the team just to the top of the stairs and wait for them to return from the trail run. ...The very first time I sent the players off to run the trail, only half of them came back. ...The rest had gotten lost and took about 30 minutes to return. Since then, I always ran with them and made sure to carry my cell phone. ...There are some benefits to training with the players, such as: understanding how they felt based on the current conditions which allowed me to make adjustments. It was also a useful psychological tactic (click photo for more examples of daily routine integrated "free training" ).

Game day support...

Game day support...
The video crew… A variety of folks supported the Johoku football team. On game days some duties were handled by a local OB (alumni) that happened to live wherever we were playing. Once or twice when we were undermanned a local alumnus would suit up so we had enough members to compete. Food and labor for special events was often provided by player’s parents. In the photo above the videographer is the sister of one of the Johoku player's. Most of the photography was done by Mr. Oda (the father of a former player) or myself. The video footage taken at our practice field was done by Mr. Takeshita, who is a man of many talents. ...Osaka, Japan 2006

...The timekeepers. Kobe 2006

Equipment staff...

Equipment staff...
The equipment staff... ...wait a minute...there is no equipment staff...You have to do it your @#%#& self !! ..Helmet broken? ...here's a screwdiver.

Myself, QB/DB Kato (#3), OT/LB Anada (#50), and Takeshitasensei before the All Japan, All Star game... July 2009

"@#% damn it!!" ; ...internationally understood.

"@#% damn it!!" ; ...internationally understood.
After the "tongue lashing", I applied the silent treatment to initiate "mental pressure" on #88... It didn't work in this case though... It's a good thing that the fans and the referees in Japan didn't understand the English profanity I was using. The funny thing is, my players DID understand my profanity... They knew that if a sentence began or ended with "goddamn it" that they did something wrong. Otherwise, they didn't understand a word of English. Hiroshima 2009 (Click photo for more)

Before... (2007)

Before...            (2007)
These are 8th, and 9th graders on the flag football team at Johoku. Thirteen of these same kids went on to join the 2009 - 2010 football team. Two of them quit after experiencing the rigors of training (one practice) and another lost heart after witnessing his first actual football game from the sidelines. This is what they look like when they first show-up to join the team.... (On the right is Takeshitasensei.)

After... (2009)

After...        (2009)
The Hiroshima Johoku Longhorns - Not quite ready for prime time at this point; however.... they would be... about ...4 months, 10,000 bench reps, 15,000 squats, 30,000 bent-over barbell rows, 5 scrimmages, and countless uphill sprints... LATER. ....Eleven of the players in this picture were in the 2007 picture above... Try to match their faces... (...I'm on the far left, Takeshitasensei is on the far right) Kyoto, March 2009 (Click photo for more)

The "11 men" era... (2007- 2008)

The "11 men" era...       (2007- 2008)
During the 2007 - 2008 season, the team was only able to compete two times the entire year as a result of having so few members. The players learned to work just for works sake. On this particular day, we scrounged together eleven players just to compete. The Captain, Noma (#26) wasn't able to participate due to an injury...so we actually had ten Johoku students available. Fortunately, one of the OBs (alumni) was available and joined the team as the eleventh man. The team we faced (the Titans) had thirty-five or so players. To make a long story short, we outplayed the other team and let them escape with a 6 - 6 tie. The game ended with our offense on their 5 yard line and a fumbled snap. …And the moral of this story? ...take your pick. (Click photo for more)

Disbelief...

Disbelief...
After the "11 man" game (Johoku's eleven players vs the Titans thirty-five players resulting in a 6 - 6 tie) the guys are filled with a sense of accomplishment, obviously outplaying their own expectations. For the four guys on the left (...all 10th graders), this was their first football game. The prior scheduled game against our rival Sotoku, had been deemed a forfeit (three months earlier) in the second quarter of the game as a result of two of the eleven players getting injured (one before kick-off). I vowed never to be put in that situation again because it is bad for football in Japan and for the players on both teams. It was obviously no coincidence that the three players to come up lame early, were the same who wouldn't invest themselves in the physical or mental preparation required (they wouldn't come to practice, but they showed-up for the game). We aren't playing golf here folks...bodies must be conditioned. That kind of thinking didn't play well at Johoku (...academic school?). I'm getting ahead of myself here...Anyway, as a result of the last forfeit and this game with only eleven players, I decided that I would suit-up myself if we had thirteen or fewer players available on game day.

A Typical day...

A Typical day...
Life in the Pony Express - Trains, clocks, motorcycles, laminated flash cards, shoulder pads, and daily planners. These are the tools I use to fulfill my daily obligations. My days are planned down to the minute with regard to train schedules, driving distances, training methods, and even access to food. (For more on life in the saddle, click on photo).

Life with the Sotoku "Fighting ducks"...(2010 - 2016)

Life with the Sotoku "Fighting ducks"...(2010 - 2016)
(Click on photo for more)