Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club
Origianl Article: Click here
Translated by George Bulger
Dec. 13, 2022
We use FL-UX for real-time analysis using video livevstreams and video sharing within the team. We can now use FL-UX to check the footage taken from an overhead view during a game in real time, and we can now tag the plays of interest and show the footage to the players in between matches to provide feedback. Another advantage is that you can freely customize tags.
Expanding possibilities with the use of live video - Interview with Kazuki Futami of Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club
We interviewed Kazuki Futami, who coaches at Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club who uses FL-UX.
Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club is one of the first futsal teams to use FL-UX.
We were able to hear a variety of stories from how to use FL-UX in games and trainings, the appeal of futsal, and a look back at the 2021 season in this interview.
FL-UX: Thank you for your time today. Coach Futami, I would like to ask you about futsal and your impressions of using FL-UX today in our interview.
Coach Futami: Thank you for having me.
FL-UX: First of all, I would like to ask you, Coach Futami, about your career so far. When did you become a futsal coach?
Coach Futami: Well, I originally played both soccer and futsal until my second year at the university, but Coach Okayama who was the manager at Baldral Urayasu at the time, now the manager of Shinagawa City, approached me over 10 years ago. And that’s how I became a physical coach. After working in several positions, I was approached by Shonan Bellmare who has a special place in my heart as my hometown team. After moving to Bellmare, I worked as a youth and Londrina coach, and the year before last I was given the position of analyzing the first team and coaching the youth team.
FL-UX: Oh I see. It seems that there are many people in the futsal industry who have played soccer when they were young, but could you tell us about the unique appeal of futsal?
Coach Futami: That’s right, I think it’s interesting that there are so many opportunities to handle the ball and use your head. Also, because the pitch is small and there are only a few players, everyone has to attack and defend, so I think it’s fun to be always involved with the ball.
FL-UX: I see. From now on, I would like to ask you about how you spend your days, Coach Futami. How does your day look like when you are not involved in futsal activities?
Coach Futami: Well, I work at a general company as a human resources employee. I think there are very few people in Japan who make a living solely by playing futsal, but I think that is also an advantage. This is because you can create a foundation for your life even when you leave the world of futsal, and I think it’s a good thing that you have your own personality in any world.
FL-UX: So it seems like you have a very busy life, balancing your work with coaching futsal. Do you have any days off?
Coach Futami: I am in charge of all age groups at Bellmare, so if you ask me if I have time off, I don’t have much, but we don’t train everyday, so I do have some free time.
FL-UX: Ok I see. In terms of team results, you finished 2nd in the 2021 season. How do you feel looking back at the season?
Coach Futami: Well, there was a time when there were restrictions not only on games but also on practices due to COVID-19, so I used video to communicate with the players. Players told me that by receiving information about their next opponents, it became easier for them to predict their matches, and I think that was one of the reasons why we were able to finish 2nd this season. Thanks to FL-UX, we are now able to do more detailed and speedy analysis than ever before, and I would like to continue using trial and error to be able to coach players better.
FL-UX: Thank you! What do you feel are the benefits of coaching using video footage like FL-UX?
Coach Futami: Well, you can convey information orally or using a tactics board, but I think it’s easier to convey the message to the players using video because the message can be conveyed through video without any lag between the person giving the message and the person receiving it. When it comes to verbal exchanges, the players mayrespond yes, but may not actually understand much. (lol)
FL-UX: How did you use video before using FL-UX?
Coach Futami: Before using FL-UX, all I did was to cut video using the default PC app, but the biggest change after using FL-UX was that I could easily make use of live videos during matches. In the F-League, it is allowed to bring electronic devices onto the bench, so being able to check the bird’s-eye view footage in real time during the match is a huge benefit. In addition to watching live video, you can also rewind and add tags, so I think it’s a unique value to be able to quickly show the players anything you’re interested in during the match.
FL-UX: The ability to perform real-time analysis using live video is an important feature of FL-UX, so we are grateful that you are using it.
Coach Futami: Yes, I’ve always wanted to use live footage in real-time (lol). In addition, since tags can be freely customized, I feel that it has become easier to review and share matches by tagging moments that are important to the team.
FL-UX: In a sports like futsal, where the game unfolds particularly quickly, is it necessary to be able to look back quickly?
Coach Futami: Yes, for example, if there is a goal, I naturally watch the moment the goal was scored, but it is difficult to look back to the key moment that caused the goal, so it is useful to be able to immediately replay the scene you want to see.
FL-UX: I see. What kind of reactions have you had from coaches and players after using FL-UX?
Coach Futami: Yes, the manager has told me that it’s helpful to be able to quickly review the moments he’s concerned about using video. When I send video clips individually to players, I get replies like, “Can I get some advice about this play?” and this can help me to create opportunities for interactions with the players.
FL-UX: I see. Do you have anything you pay special attention to when choosing video clips to send to the players?
Coach Futami: Let’s see… During the season, I consulted with the manager and selected videos related to the opposing team. Because FL-UX has made this task easier, we are currently in the process of preparing the footage for next season.
FL-UX: I’m glad we were able to help you. From now on, I would like to shift the perspective a little and ask about the futsal world as a whole. What do you think is necessary to make the futsal world popular an even more exciting in the future?
Coach Futami: Let’s see… First of all, I would like you to come to Bellmare’s home games. Each team holds events during their home games, and Bellmare is putting a lot of effort into social media, and even was awarded the best team to promote futsal by the league, so I would like to use that as a starting point to build more hype. Also, I think you’ll get a better feel for futsal if you actually come to watch it. It is much faster and there are more opportunities to score compared to soccer, so I think once people come and see futsal, they’ll become repeat supporters.
FL-UX: You’re right! The All-Japan Championship is coming up next month, so we look forward to further excitement in the futsal world and to seeing your success!
Thank you very much for your time Coach Futami!
Please also check out Shonan Bellmare Futsal Club’s social media accounts below!