Nelsinho: Japanese football developing rapidly

 

Brazilian coach Nelsinho hailed the "evolution" of Japanese football after his Kashiwa Reysol side gave his former club, the South American champions Santos, a fright at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011.

A Santos side boasting 19-year-old prodigy Neymar needed a cracker from the young forward and two other sublime finishes from Borges and Danilo, the latter from a free-kick, to claim a probable final meeting with Barcelona. The Brazilians ran out 3-1 winners in Wednesday's semi-final, the impressive defender Hiroki Sakai grabbing the Japanese champions' goal at Toyota Stadium.

But it was far closer than the scoreline suggested, statistics showing Kashiwa had more possession and more shots - 14 to Santos' eight - particularly late on, when the Japanese squandered several clear chances. Substitute Masakatsu Sawa was especially culpable, striking the Santos post and lashing the ball over when it seemed easier to score.

A proud Nelsinho, who guided Kashiwa from second-tier obscurity to the J.League crown in just two seasons, said his side's stubborn performance was proof football in the Asian country had improved greatly. "Japanese football is really growing and developing, especially the young players are growing," said Nelsinho, for whom the rookie defender Sakai, a product of Kashiwa's youth team, excelled.

The exciting 21-year-old attacking right full-back has been linked with a move to Santos. "I worked in Japan in the 1990s and I'd say there's been quite a huge evolution in the players," said Nelsinho. "Compared with the technical ability of the Brazilian players we still have some deficiencies but we played some good football today."

Nelsinho, a Santos defender in his day who played later the coach of the South American giants - who was also a room-mate of his opposite number Muricy Ramalho - added: "This was a really good performance. We are a very young team but we were able to create a lot of chances today.

"In the first half there were two careless mistakes but in the second half we tried to change the way we play and were able to score with a set-piece. We pushed for the draw but then lost the third goal. Our defence was very good despite conceding three goals."

The Copa Libertadores champions Santos face a possible meeting with Barcelona in the weekend final of the tournament. Europe's finest face Qatar's Al-Sadd in the second semi-final today, with the losers to play Kashiwa, who are based in Chiba, near Tokyo.

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Fletcher takes 'extended break' from football

Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher is to take "an extended break from football" owing to a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, his club have announced.

United revealed that Fletcher, who has been sidelined at various points in recent times with what was reported to be a virus, has been suffering with the condition for some time.

The 27-year-old has now been advised to take a complete break from the game. The club said in a statement: "On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons."

Fletcher made only one start for United last season after 1 March, and was an unused substitute for the 3-1 UEFA Champions League final defeat by Barcelona.

He has made ten appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils during the current campaign, with the last coming on 22 November.

The statement from United continued: "Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality.

"Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis [a chronic inflammatory bowel condition] for some time preceding this.

"Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period this has proved more difficult recently and Darren's continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.

"He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.

"We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery."

Levein concerned for 'inspirational' captain
Fletcher, the Scotland captain, has also played for his country in four UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers this season.

Scotland manager Craig Levein said: "I am obviously absolutely devastated for Darren because I know how hard he has worked to get back to playing regularly for his club and country.

"He is one of the most inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with and on behalf of his Scotland team-mates and my backroom staff I sincerely hope this time off, allied to the support of his family, will enable him to make a full recovery.

"Darren has shown tremendous dedication and fortitude, demonstrated by his ability to overcome this illness and perform at the highest level for Manchester United and Scotland.

"I spoke with Sir Alex Ferguson and Darren this week and the most important thing at this stage is for the player to be given time to rest and recuperate.

"Nobody is more committed to his country's cause than our captain. He is a central part of our plans for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers but at this stage his health is paramount and I would like to reiterate the best wishes of everyone involved with the national team and the Scottish FA."

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Blatter visits restored Matsushima Football Centre

Nine months on from the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter today went visited the Matsushima Football Centre, which has been restored with the help of FIFA. This impressive restoration formed part of the assistance provided by world football’s governing body to the Japanese football community following the March disaster.

Before heading to Matsushima, the FIFA delegation – which also included also acting AFC President Zhang Jilong and Guam FA President Richard K. Lai, together with a JFA delegation, led by its President Junji Ogura - stopped in Yuriage, Natori-City, close to Sendai, an area devastated by the tsunami. There, they observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy.

Ogura, speaking later, during a press briefing at the Matsushima Football Centre, said: “As today’s visit by the FIFA President indicates, the global football family is praying for the recovery of the people in Tohoku and looking forward to reconfirming the friendship and ties with you all through the beautiful game of football. It is my sincere wish that the Matsushima Football Centre becomes a symbol of the recovery of Tohoku, contributing to the local promotion of sport for many years to come.”

Overall, FIFA has donated a total of 6.4 million USD to Japan, assistance which has included several Goal projects. The Japanese FA (JFA) had benefitted in the past from three Goal projects, all of which were installed at the medical centre in the J Village in Fukushima - inaugurated by the FIFA President in 2009 - which was damaged by the March disaster. FIFA subsequently decided to grant the JFA three new Goal projects (worth 1.5 million USD in total).

Furthermore, a fourth Goal project was allocated to the JFA in October 2010. It was planned to be used for the purchase of more equipment for the medical centre, but the disaster struck before this project could be realised. Therefore, this fourth Goal project was amended to focus on the restoration of the Football Turf field at the Matsushima Football Centre.

The FIFA donation will enable the Japanese football community to complete a six-project plan:
- the restoration of the football turf field at the Matsushima Football Centre, as well as the renovation and expansion of this facility
- the construction of a new Football Centre in Iwate Prefecture
- the construction of a new Football Centre in Fukushima Prefecture
- the restoration of a football turf field in Sendai City
- the restoration of a natural grass field in Mito City
- the restoration of the security camera system in the stadium of Kashima City, which hosted matches at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2002 FIFA World Cup

Additionally, FIFA’s partner adidas donated 15,000 football kits to the JFA for distribution to the areas with most need after the disaster. At the same time, FIFA also donated 15,000 adidas Goal balls.

Today’s programme at the Matsushima Football Centre started with a round-table discussion involving J. League Chairman Kazumi Ohigashi, representatives from the public authorities, J. League football clubs and prefectural football associations. They related to the FIFA President the damages suffered and explained details of the various assistance projects.

Blatter was then invited to join on the pitch a group of 200 young players from clubs of the region. He told them: "It's a great pleasure to be with you today. But more important is that you are here and playing football on a very good pitch. A few months ago you have been affected by a disaster. But now you're back on the field of play. When you play, you're not alone, you're with others, connecting with people. Football is discipline, respect and fair play as you have shown on the pitch just now. But you have also shown that football is hope. The game is yours because the future is yours. Together, let's look forward to a better future. Go forward, play football, enjoy the game and, don't forget, enjoy life!”

After handing over adidas balls to the children - a gesture which prompted them to say a loud "arigato gozaimasu" (thank you very much in Japanese) in unison - the FIFA President joined them for a group picture in front of a banner, which read: ‘To our friends around the world, thank you for your support’. This was identical to the one displayed in Germany by the victorious Japan team at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

The event concluded with a press briefing, in which the FIFA President stated: "I can tell you that the FIFA delegation experienced many emotions today. When we landed in Sendai and witnessed the damage caused by the tsunami, it was very moving. But at the football centre, we were very happy to witness life, life through football.

"When such a disaster happens, it is not enough to help financially. You have to show confidence. We have said to Japan: 'We are behind you and we are with you'. Therefore, only a few weeks after the tragedy, we confirmed that the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup would be held in Japan as scheduled. I came in May to Japan and met the Prime Minister at the time. And then, something wonderful happened: Japan won the FIFA Women's World Cup. Really, football here is hope."

Asked by a journalist if Sendai or Ibaraki could host games at the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup, Blatter replied: "I think that is an extremely interesting proposal. I am totally in favour."

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Free Football Picks

Each week About Football offers free football picks straight up and against the spread. Our free football picks will be posted by Thursday of each week.

*About Football's free football picks are for entertainment purposes only.

2010 Record
Straight Up - (151-89-0)
Against the Spread - (131-102-7)

Week 17

Straight Up

SUN, Jan 2
Carolina at Atlanta
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Minnesota at Detroit
Oakland at Kansas City
Miami at New England
Tampa Bay at New Orleans
Buffalo at NY Jets
Cincinnati at Baltimore
Jacksonville at Houston
NY Giants at Washington
Dallas at Philadelphia
Arizona at San Francisco
Chicago at Green Bay
Tennessee at Indianapolis
San Diego at Denver
St. Louis at Seattle

Against the Spread

SUN, Jan 2
Carolina at Atlanta (-14.5)
Pittsburgh (-6) at Cleveland
Minnesota (+3) at Detroit
Oakland at Kansas City (-3.5)
Miami at New England (-4)
Tampa Bay (+7.5) at New Orleans
Buffalo (+1) at NY Jets
Cincinnati (+10) at Baltimore
Jacksonville (-2.5) at Houston
NY Giants at Washington (+4)
Dallas (OFF) at Philadelphia
Arizona at San Francisco (-6)
Chicago at Green Bay (-10)
Tennessee at Indianapolis (-9.5)
San Diego (-3) at Denver
St. Louis at Seattle (+3)

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Week 16

Straight Up

Thurs, Dec 23
Carolina at Pittsburgh

SAT, Dec 25

Dallas at Arizona

SUN, DEC 26
Washington at Jacksonville
Detroit at Miami
San Francisco at St. Louis
Tennessee at Kansas City
NY Jets at Chicago
New England at Buffalo
Baltimore at Cleveland
Houston at Denver (Upset of the Week)
San Diego at Cincinnati
Indianapolis at Oakland
NY Giants at Green Bay
Seattle at Tampa Bay
Minnesota at Philadelphia

MON, Dec 27
New Orleans at Atlanta

Against the Spread

Thurs, Dec 23
Carolina at Pittsburgh (-14.5)

SAT, Dec 25

Dallas (-7) at Arizona

SUN, DEC 26
Washington (+7) at Jacksonville
Detroit (+3.5) at Miami
San Francisco at St. Louis (-2.5)
Tennessee (+5) at Kansas City
NY Jets at Chicago (-1)
New England (-7.5) at Buffalo
Baltimore (-3.5) at Cleveland
Houston at Denver (+3) (Upset of the Week)
San Diego (-7.5) at Cincinnati
Indianapolis (-3) at Oakland
NY Giants at Green Bay (-3)
Seattle at Tampa Bay (-6.5)
Minnesota (+14.5) at Philadelphia

MON, Dec 27
New Orleans (+2.5) at Atlanta

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Week 15

Straight Up

Thurs, Dec 16
San Francisco at San Diego

SUN, DEC 19
Cleveland at Cincinnati
Washington at Dallas
Houston at Tennessee
Jacksonville at Indianapolis
Kansas City at St. Louis
Buffalo at Miami
Detroit at Tampa Bay
Arizona at Carolina
New Orleans at Baltimore
Philadelphia at NY Giants
Atlanta at Seattle
NY Jets at Pittsburgh
Denver at Oakland
Green Bay at New England

MON, Dec 20
Chicago at Minnesota

Against the Spread

Thurs, Dec 16
San Francisco at San Diego (-9)

SUN, DEC 19
Cleveland at Cincinnati (+1.5)
Washington at Dallas (-6)
Houston (+1.5) at Tennessee
Jacksonville at Indianapolis (-5)
Kansas City at St. Louis (OFF)
Buffalo (+5.5) at Miami
Detroit (+6) at Tampa Bay
Arizona at Carolina (-2.5)
New Orleans (+1) at Baltimore
Philadelphia (+3) at NY Giants
Atlanta (-6.5) at Seattle
NY Jets at Pittsburgh (-6)
Denver at Oakland (-6.5)
Green Bay at New England (OFF)

MON, Dec 20
Chicago (OFF) at Minnesota

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Week 14

Straight Up

Thurs, Dec 9
Indianapolis at Tennessee

SUN, DEC 12
Cleveland at Buffalo
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Green Bay at Detroit
NY Giants at Minnesota
Tampa Bay at Washington
Atlanta at Carolina
Oakland at Jacksonville
Seattle at San Francisco
St. Louis at New Orleans
Miami at NY Jets
Denver at Arizona
Kansas City at San Diego
New England at Chicago
Philadelphia at Dallas

MON, Dec 13
Baltimore at Houston

Against the Spread

Thurs, Dec 9
Indianapolis (-3) at Tennessee

SUN, DEC 12
Cleveland at Buffalo (-1)
Cincinnati (+9) at Pittsburgh
Green Bay (-7) at Detroit
NY Giants (OFF) at Minnesota
Tampa Bay (-2) at Washington
Atlanta (-7.5) at Carolina
Oakland (+4.5) at Jacksonville
Seattle (+5) at San Francisco
St. Louis at New Orleans (-9.5)
Miami at NY Jets (-5.5)
Denver (OFF) at Arizona
Kansas City at San Diego (-7)
New England (-3) at Chicago
Philadelphia at Dallas (+3.5)

MON, Dec 13
Baltimore at Houston (+3)

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Week 13

Straight Up

Thurs, Dec 2
Houston at Philadelphia

SUN, DEC 5
Washington at NY Giants
Denver at Kansas City
Jacksonville at Tennessee
San Francisco at Green Bay
Cleveland at Miami
Buffalo at Minnesota
Chicago at Detroit
New Orleans at Cincinnati
Oakland at San Diego
Carolina at Seattle
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
St. Louis at Arizona
Dallas at Indianapolis
Pittsburgh at Baltimore

MON, Dec 6
NY Jets at New England

Against the Spread

Thurs, Dec 2
Houston at Philadelphia (-8)

SUN, DEC 5
Washington (+7.5) at NY Giants
Denver (+9) at Kansas City
Jacksonville (OFF) at Tennessee
San Francisco at Green Bay (-9.5)
Cleveland at Miami (-4.5)
Buffalo (+5.5) at Minnesota
Chicago (-3.5) at Detroit
New Orleans (-6.5) at Cincinnati
Oakland (+13) at San Diego
Carolina at Seattle (-6)
Atlanta at Tampa Bay (+3)
St. Louis at Arizona (+3.5)
Dallas (+5) at Indianapolis
Pittsburgh (+3) at Baltimore

MON, Dec 6
NY Jets at New England (-3.5)

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Week 12

Straight Up

Thurs, Nov 25
New England at Detroit
New Orleans at Dallas
Cincinnati at NY Jets

SUN, Nov 28
Green Bay at Atlanta
Pittsburgh at Buffalo
Carolina at Cleveland
Jacksonville at NY Giants
Minnesota at Washington
Tennessee at Houston
Kansas City at Seattle
Miami at Oakland
St. Louis at Denver
Philadelphia at Chicago
Tampa Bay at Baltimore
San Diego at Indianapolis

MON, Nov 29
San Francisco at Arizona

Against the Spread

Thurs, Nov 25
New England at Detroit (+7)
New Orleans at Dallas (+3.5)
Cincinnati at NY Jets (-8.5)

SUN, Nov 28
Green Bay (+2) at Atlanta
Pittsburgh (-6.5) at Buffalo
Carolina at Cleveland (OFF)
Jacksonville at NY Giants (-7)
Minnesota (+2.5) at Washington
Tennessee (OFF) at Houston
Kansas City at Seattle (+1)
Miami at Oakland (OFF)
St. Louis at Denver (+4)
Philadelphia (-3) at Chicago
Tampa Bay (+7.5) at Baltimore
San Diego (+3) at Indianapolis

MON, Nov 29
San Francisco (-1) at Arizona

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Youth Football Blocking Techniques

There are two schools of thought regarding blocking techniques, and which style should be taught at the youth football level is an on-going debate between coaches.

Shoulder Progression Blocking

Nearly as old as the game itself, shoulder progression blocking involves the offensive player having his hands in close to the chest, creating an outward blocking surface from the chest/shoulder to the elbows. The blocker slides his head to 'fit' under the opposite arm of the defender. The head is between the defender and the ball carrier.

Hands Blocking

Developed in the late 1970s, when football loosened to allow offensive players to use their hands while blocking, the blocker fires out toward the defensive player - striking him with the heels of the hands. Following the hand strike the blocker continues to push the defender, arms extended.

Similarities

Both techniques begin with an explosive movement of the lower body.Both techniques transfer power upward via rolling the hips.Both techniques enable the blocker to gain momentum prior to contact with the defensive player.

Differences

Shoulder progression blocking allows for a greater area of contact with the defender, which can be an advantage for a lighter offensive player attempting to block a heavier defender.Hands blocking generally allows quicker contact with the defensive player, as the blocker is firing his hands away from the body when striking the defender.

Which to Teach?

Coaches using more traditional offenses such as the Fullhouse, Single Wing, or Wing-T are generally more supportive of the shoulder progression blocking method.Coaches of the Shotgun Spread, Flexbone, or other variations of option-oriented offenses are proponents of the hands blocking technique.A third group of coaches, no matter the offensive system, teach a hybrid blocking scheme which borrows from both blocking types (A team employing zone blocking on the line of scrimmage, yet during the Iso play the fullback uses a shoulder block, e.g.)Proper pass blocking requires use of a blocker's hands.

Conclusion

Teaching the hybrid version is the best way to prepare youth football players for the next level of competition.

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