Ah, gameday
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| .Pre-game rituals I'm in the background (hands on hips) trying to give off the "leave me alone I'm busy" vibe.
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Gameday is always a hectic time, especially when there's only one coach, me. Taping players, herding them from one place to another, and preparing them for the contest were my only focus. Johoku's school representative, and the Johoku football alumni (OBs) were also a big help.
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At Johoku, the whole gameday production was rehearsed. Despite following a set itinerary from three hours before kick-off, there was always a fire to put out.
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Me to strangers on the Johoku sideline five minutes before kick-off:
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"You say you used to be a quarterback?"
"That's nice."
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"Sir... Would you mind stepping back just a bit? "Thanks."
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"You want to take a team photo on the 50 yard line?" "Now?"
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"You want to give me some advice?
"Do I know you?"
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Me to my players two minutes before kick-off:
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"Who's mouthpiece is this?"
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"You have to go to the bathroom? Now?"
"Go ahead.... Run!"
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"Where is the kicking tee?" "@#%* damn it! "
"Where's the kicker?"
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"Where is your left shoe?"
"Why is your shoe on the train?" |
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| .Gameday uniform # 1 If we had fifteen or more players this was my uniform. |
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| Gameday uniform #2 If we had fourteen or less players this was my uniform |
.Johoku H.S. vs Mikki H.S. (first half)
I remember starting my football career backing up a 10th grader in 1978.
Thirty years later, I'm on the other side of the world backing up another 10th grader.
We only had thirteen players suit up that day.
Hyogo, Japan (2009)
.Johoku H.S. vs Mikki H.S. (second half)
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| .After the coin toss Johoku vs Sotoku Hiroshima, Japan (2009) |
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| .Preparing the water before a game Johoku vs Osaka Minoo Osaka, Japan (2010) |
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| .Preparing for kick-off Johoku vs Mikki Hyogo, Japan (2009) |
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| .Heading to Kobe by train for a scrimmage (2008) I wouldn't advise traveling by train with a high school football team unless you're a sheep herder |
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| .Packing up after a game - Osaka (2010) |
.There's always a fire to put out
Koiki Koen - Hiroshima, Japan (2009)
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| .That's it. Five guys on the sideline. |
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