The match with Funabashi starts as an intensive one as the adjustment period for both Ashito and Togashi is quite notable. They do make a good adjustment to mark Futahara and Tripone. Ashito and Togashi. It’s good to see when Ashito made his mistakes guarding Futahara, Akutsu wasn’t completely dismissive of Ashito. His wording choice of “Does a propeller plan to stop a tank by tackling it?” It’s good that Ashito was able to understand what Akutsu meant. Essentially you can’t stop him 1-on-1 on yourself, but there is a way to entrap him. Giving instructions to his teammates is the key and it is good that Ashito made that adjustment.
Very curious that Fukuda has them executing a 5-lane concept rather than the typical 3-lane one. While most people only focus on dividing as a center and 2 flanks. The 5-lane concept basically divides the area between the center and flanks as half spaces as it provides more options to the receiver and the provider better field vision when receiving the ball. For someone like Ashito this concept isn’t new to him in execution, but rather he was never mentally aware of it. Nozomi’s point is intuitively it makes sense, but being mentally aware of it and focusing on it is different and the real challenge.
The most interesting challenge is using this concept but keeping up with your fundamentals. Interesting how in the 5-lane, the triangle works out, which keeping that consistent is definitely a pressing challenge. As we see Esperion score we no doubt see the strength of it and it is to credit Fukuda as a coach. It really shows why Fukuda was quite demanding in the first years.
Funabashi’s ability to make adjustments shows why they are a great team. Going from a 4-man back to a 5 man back which would allow them to cover each lane. Of course this time they had Esperion to have Ashito and Togashi to come up so they could press the attack more. This situation is why Fukuda is so invested in Ashito because his Eagle’s Eye strength is perfect in seeing who is the best option. Over time, his technique will improve, but that only means his improvement can only get better and better.
Of course getting back on defense is one concern for the 5-lane concept. As Tripone gets the ball he gets rolling and they nearly score. But in a way that countered, it revived Funabashi going into the halftime. It is the reality that the 5-lane concept is a risky concept if the defenders can’t get back. Being aware of the risk is important for Ashito because getting back late leaves Funabashi is a scenario where they can get a golden scoring opportunity.
It’s interesting that Fukuda doesn’t say to Ashito to get back and focus on defense as much as you would think. Fukuda has been consistent in wanting his players to reach their full potential even if it carries more of a risk of not winning in today’s match. Will be curious how Ashito presses into the 2nd half of the match.
