“Japanese Head Coach” Makes a Clear Difference: Players Feel the “Master Strategist” Manabe Effect [Yeosu On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

“Even when we make mistakes, he doesn’t make any particular gestures. There’s no reason for the players to feel self-conscious.”

Im Myung-ok (40), a veteran player for IBK Industrial Bank of Korea in the women’s professional volleyball league, said with a smile. She was answering questions about newly appointed Japanese head coach Manabe Masayoshi (63). Recalling Yoshihara Tomoko (56), head coach of Heungkuk Life, whom she had faced as an opposing coach last season, she said, “There is something unique about Japanese coaches. Even when Coach Yoshihara’s team made inexplicable mistakes, her expression didn’t change, and our coach is the same.” Park Eun-seo (26) added, “He has such a positive mindset. If one thing doesn’t work, he finds another way to resolve it, so there isn’t much pressure.”

Of course, this does not mean that all Korean coaches react sensitively to every player mistake. However, when mistakes occur, domestic coaches cannot completely hide their momentary gestures or expressions, and players inevitably find themselves on edge. In the eyes of veteran Im Myung-ok, who has spent a long time on the court, the “thorough poker faces” of the two Japanese head coaches are all the more impressive. Upon hearing this, Coach Yoshihara explained, “Showing your expression to the players can have an impact.” Coach Manabe is no different in this regard.

It doesn’t end there. Giving players time to communicate with each other first when a timeout is called or a set ends is also a change in the IBK Industrial Bank of Korea team environment since Coach Manabe’s arrival. Park Eun-seo said, “Ultimately, communication is important, and it’s good that we have more time to talk among ourselves.” Im Myung-ok agreed, saying, “Every time a timeout is called or a set ends, they give us time to talk among ourselves. Other players say they really like it too. After all, the players are the ones playing the game, so time for conversation has been created.”

Moreover, the team has personally experienced that Coach Manabe is a renowned master strategist who is highly recognized in Japan. Coach Manabe was the head coach who led the Japanese women’s volleyball team to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. The team properly felt the head coach’s local standing when they previously went to Himeji, Japan, for pre-season training. To the extent that the phrase “President of Himeji” emerged among the players.

Im Myung-ok said, “I have been on many pre-season training trips, but this was the first time a city-level administration took care of us for a professional team’s training camp. The coach looked different. What I thought was even more impressive was that he did not show off at all that he knew people locally or had connections.” Nevertheless, Coach Manabe does not assert authority. He often jokes with the players and re-emphasizes important keywords in Korean during meetings. The team’s trust in the coach can only grow accordingly.

Naturally, the players are also dreaming of a new flight under Coach Manabe’s system. IBK Industrial Bank of Korea was considered a strong championship contender last season but suffered a blow to its pride by finishing fifth in the regular league. This is the background behind the swift appointment of Coach Manabe ahead of the new season. Coincidentally, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea took a strong first step by crushing rookie team SOOP 3-0 in their first match at the Cup Tournament on the 11th. Coach Manabe said, “I would like to express my joy at securing our first victory.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original