One thrilling aspect of pro sports is watching athletes make seemingly dangerous play after dangerous play at breathtaking speed. It almost seems as if they don't even have time to think. And often they don't. They simply react to what's going on in their playing environments.
On other hand, Japanese sports can often -- but not always can be summed up by the words of retired player Shuzo Matsuoka, now a sports commentator, in a recent cover story in In Touch (Tokyo American Club) Magazine:
"I used to play Japanese tennis, which is waiting for opponents to make a mistake. Every time I hit the ball I looked at the coach. I wasn't playing for myself..."
Substitute the name Matsuoka with hundreds of others and change the sport from tennis to basketball and you will see a problem that plagues the game in Japan. Quality basketball requires improvisational skills that go beyond a coach's fundamental Xs and Os. Coaches can only control so much; players need to think on their own in order to have a chance to elevate to greatness.
Taking risks and having the ability and desire to excel in individual and team challenges are keys for great success as a player.
Indeed, Matsuoka described a situation that is common in all Japanese sports. Change, of course, can often be a good thing.
On other hand, Japanese sports can often -- but not always can be summed up by the words of retired player Shuzo Matsuoka, now a sports commentator, in a recent cover story in In Touch (Tokyo American Club) Magazine:
"I used to play Japanese tennis, which is waiting for opponents to make a mistake. Every time I hit the ball I looked at the coach. I wasn't playing for myself..."
Substitute the name Matsuoka with hundreds of others and change the sport from tennis to basketball and you will see a problem that plagues the game in Japan. Quality basketball requires improvisational skills that go beyond a coach's fundamental Xs and Os. Coaches can only control so much; players need to think on their own in order to have a chance to elevate to greatness.
Taking risks and having the ability and desire to excel in individual and team challenges are keys for great success as a player.
Indeed, Matsuoka described a situation that is common in all Japanese sports. Change, of course, can often be a good thing.
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