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那一幕，我到現在都還記得。

那是2017年在中國佛山進行的 FIBA U16 亞青賽。

一位個子矮小的日本控衛吸引了我的注意力，他當時的身高（169公分）比我還要矮。然而，每一次他替補上陣，卻總是可以徹底改變比賽的局勢。

速度超快、充滿自信、創造力十足。

我心想：

那是我第一次看到河村勇輝出場。從那一刻起，我就開始關注他。他現在是我最喜歡的球員之一。

時間來到2025年，FIBA女子亞洲杯半決賽，日本對上中國。

年僅19歲的田中心在第1節就轟下21分，對著平均身高高出一截的中國隊外線連發穿心箭。

她的出手弧度高得像一道彩虹，冷靜的決策力讓人難以相信這是個只有19歲的年輕人。

她在決賽對澳洲的表現也不遑多讓，儘管最終日本未能奪冠。

他們兩人身高都不高， 卻都打得像巨人一樣。

我開始好奇——他們的崛起背後，是否有共同的養成邏輯？

不同選手，相似軌跡

看了一些關於他們的日語文章，我發現一件事：

讓我們細看他們的共同點：

從小就像職業選手那樣訓練

• 河村：四年級起每天投籃超過500球，到六年級提升到1000球，加上運球練習，最多連續練習達4.5小時
• 田中：小學二年級已具備投三分球的能力，小五已經在全府比賽中投進絕殺球

雙軌培訓體系

• 學校隊+俱樂部（如田中就加入大阪 KAGO 俱樂部）
• 接觸多元教練、挑戰高年級對手

自我驅動的日常習慣

• 田中：每天清晨5點投300球，高中三年間累積超過30萬次出手
• 河村：腳步訓練、與父親一起看影片研究動作細節

從年輕就打重要比賽

• 他們都在初中階段成為全國舞台上的核心
• 他們不是被壓力嚇倒，而是在壓力中升級

靠腦袋和節奏打球，不靠身高

• 田中：助攻/失誤比在新人中遙遙領先
• 可村：雖然身材吃虧，但總是比對手快一步、想得更清楚

打造小巨人的系統工程

在日本，這不是偶然。 而是一種文化。

這個信念貫穿整個日本球員養成系統：

• 以球員為中心的教學方式：不只是服從，而是學習思考與判斷
• 自初中起就導入影片與數據分析
• 年齡對應的戰術課程設計，清晰的長期規劃
• 職業聯賽開放青年特別指定制度，讓優秀選手及早進入職業環境

這不是在最後一刻修補選手， 而是在最初階段就建立正確系統與習慣。

為什麼這跟我們有關？

在大馬，我們常常太過重視身體條件。 但河村與田中證明了：

如果我們也想培養出這樣的後衛， 我們應該問自己：

• 我們是否從小就用世界標準訓練孩子？
• 我們培養的是有判斷力的球員，還是只會照做的球員？
• 我們的優秀年輕選手是否有足夠挑戰與機會？

先養成內在的巨人

田中心與河村勇輝沒有等到聚光燈才開始努力， 他們在無人注意時就已經訓練得像職業球員。

他們的成長故事提醒我們：

如果你覺得這篇內容有啟發， 請分享給一位教練、球員或家長。 因為下一個田中心、河村勇輝，可能正在默默投著球—— 他們只需要一個早點相信他們，並給他們正確系統的人。

— Jordan

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🇬🇧 ENGLISH VERSION

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Why Does Japan Keep Producing Elite Guards?

I still remember it vividly.

2017, FIBA U16 Asia Championship in Foshan, China.

A short Japanese point guard caught my attention, who was shorter than me at the time (169 cm). However, every time he came off the bench, he could always completely change the game.

Super fast, confident and creative.

I was like:

That was the first time I saw Yuki Kawamura play. I’ve followed him ever since. He’s now one of my favorite players.

Fast forward to 2025, FIBA Women’s Asia Cup semifinal. Japan vs. China.

Kokoro Tanaka, just 19, dropped 21 points in the first quarter against a towering Chinese defense. Her three-point arc was picture perfect. Her decision-making felt like that of a seasoned pro.

She followed it up with another strong performance in the final vs. Australia.

And that made me wonder: What’s behind their rise?

The Similar Rise: Different Players, Same Blueprint

The more I studied them, the more I noticed:

Let’s break it down:

Started Young, Trained Like Pros

• Kawamura: From Grade 4, he shot over 500 times a day; by Grade 6, that number reached 1,000, often combined with dribbling practice for up to 4.5 consecutive hours
• Tanaka: shooting threes in Grade 2, hitting buzzer-beaters by Grade 5

Dual-Track Development

• Balanced school and club team experience (e.g. KAGO CLUB OSAKA for Tanaka)
• Exposure to diverse coaching styles and high-level competition

Self-Driven Routine

• Tanaka: up at 5AM, 300 shots daily, over 300,000 shots logged in high school
• Kawamura: endless footwork drills, film sessions with his dad

Reps Under Pressure

• Both played in national youth tournaments from their early teens
• Big games didn’t intimidate them—they refined them

Smart Over Tall

• Tanaka: 172cm with elite assist-to-turnover ratio
• Kawamura: also 172cm, but consistently outthinks and outruns taller defenders

The System That Shapes Giants

In Japan, this isn’t coincidence. It’s culture.

This mindset is the foundation of Japan’s player development model:

• Player-Centered Coaching: Teaching players how to think, not just follow orders
• Video & Data Integration: Used from junior high onward
• Age-Based Tactical Curriculum: Not random drills, but progressive long-term learning
• Open Pro Pathways: Teenagers debuting in B.League and W.League

This isn’t about late-stage polishing.

It’s early-stage programming.

Why This Matters to Us

In Malaysia, we often obsess over physical tools.

But Kawamura and Tanaka prove that:

If we want to develop similar guards, we need to ask:

• Are we training kids with world-class standards?
• Are we developing decision-makers or just play-followers?
• Are our top youth players being challenged early enough?

Build the Giant, Not Just the Body

Kokoro Tanaka and Yuki Kawamura didn’t wait for the spotlight.

They trained like stars long before anyone was watching.

Their rise sends a clear message:

Was this helpful?

Forward this to a coach, player, or parent who believes in building from the ground up.

Because the next Tanaka or Kawamura might be shooting somewhere right now—they just need someone to believe early, and build right.

— Jordan

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