Collegiate American Football in Japan

[barrn]

So I found out that my school in Japan, ICU, has an American Football team, and I plan on joining the team. I've always wanted to play football, but I was never in great shape in high school and I was never really interested in the sport when I was younger, so I never tried it. By the time I got into it (near the end of high school; I'm a junior in college now), I felt like it was too late for me to get started.

Background on me: I'm 178 cm and about 120 kilograms. I'm a big guy. I'd want to be a defensive lineman and a fullback. I have never played organized football in my life, though I've played a lot of full-contact pickup games with my friends over the years and I don't mind taking or giving a hit. I carry a sizable gut, but I wouldn't consider myself as out of shape as I used to be. I play roller hockey for my university in America which has helped me to get in shape and boost my stamina.

I would never dare to try playing football in America at this point. I know I wouldn't be able to handle it and I would be way out of my league. However, ICU's football program website advertises itself to newcomers and I get the impression that most of the guys on the team had never played football before they entered college. I think that this, combined with my size (I'm much bigger than anyone currently listed on the team weight-wise, and would be one of the taller players as well), might make playing for this team a realistic possibility.

As for reasons why I want to play football; I want to play a sport at ICU, and since there's no hockey team, the next sport on my list would be football. I think the camaraderie associated with being on a football team would be good for me as I spend a year in a foreign country where I don't really know anyone else. The team, while serious, doesn't seem to be as much of an all-encompassing thing as a collegiate football team in America would be. I want it to be an extracurricular activity and not something that takes over my entire life. Finally, I feel like being on the team would give me a sense of belonging to the school. I'm only here for a year on an exchange program, but while I'm there, I want to feel like a real student of ICU and not just a visitor.

On to my question: has anyone here seen or participated in football at the university level in Japan? What was your experience like? If you could compare it to football at the same level in America, that would be helpful too. Honestly, I plan on joining the team unless I'm warned that it's dangerously out of my league (I don't want to embarrass myself, or even worse, get seriously injured). If anyone could shed some light on this topic, I'd be much appreciative. Thanks.

[(1VB)freels]

Don't kid yourself!!! Japan has a decent program that matches most NCAA Div.II schools. You really need to think about this. I have played for a few of my ships teams and the base team(Yokosuka Seahawks) and we played the Japanese teams. They were good. But we were better. So if you bring it, look out for them to single you out due to you being an FG. They will think that you are an allstar back in your day and you wanted to pick it up there to help them out. IF you don't know what a nickle defense is or how to pick up a blitzing linebacker, then I recommend that you don't do it. There are plenty of inline hockey teams all over the place that you could join. You don't want to get in to deep with a thing that you have no idea about.

[barrn]

When you say you played the Japanese teams, are you talking about collegiate teams or teams that are semi-professional/professional squads? The ICU website lists the players on the roster and the activities they participated in while they were in high school. While a few played football, a lot of kids come from other sports (soccer, tennis, karate, and rugby are the big four), meaning they've only been playing while they are in college. Could they really be at such an advanced level in such a short period of time playing? If they are, then I'll certainly give this some second thoughts, but I think of the kids who play Division II football here, and most of them have been playing competitive, organized football for most of their lives.

I do plan on playing hockey a bit as well, as we discussed in my other thread. I want to get involved in something that's on my school's campus too, though.

EDIT: I should also mention that ICU's football team plays in division 3 of Japanese collegiate football. Is it possible that the teams you played were from division I? I could probably believe that those teams are equal to DII football in America.

EDIT 2: Here is the website, if you want to check it out: http://icu-apostles.com

[(1VB)freels]

We played both college and semi and Pro teams. We were pretty stacked up against the first 1 but the pro team had guys from the states and it was a really tough match up... But that was years ago when eveything didn't creak and make noises... I do recommend that you try but if it's too much (2 or 3 a days in summer are a bitch) have at it. I recommend that you do your research about getting in shape for football. Lots of legs and upper body strength. If you are going to play, remember that you need to up your stamina a little more. It's not like hockey at all. I played and am still playing hockey and it's way different then when I played football. Lots of bursts of energy in football. Not like hockey where you are on the ice/rink for 2 or 3 minutes at a time. I wish you luck!!! If you are going to play the Yokosuka Seahawks, send the word and I will try and catch the game!!!

[barrn]

Thanks for the advice and the well-wishes. I guess the only way to know for sure is to try it out and see how it goes. I don't know if my team would be playing the Seahawks since ICU is only in Division 3 of college football in Japan, but I will let you know if the team ever travels down in that area for a game.

You're right about getting in shape. I definitely have to improve my stamina. I do weight training on a semi-regular basis, though I will probably have to step it up. My legs are pretty solid from all the skating I do, so I think I'd be okay in that department. In addition to weight training, I work in a warehouse moving boxes of tile around for 5 hours a day, so I think I have a decent amount of upper-body strength as well. I've been going for runs in the morning a few times a week to boost my stamina and energy as well. As a DL, I probably don't need to be the fastest guy on the team, but I do need to be able to get through the game.

if nothing else, it will probably be a cool story to tell friends and family years down the road. I'm looking forward to the challenge either way, but I definitely know my limits and will back off if it seems like it's too much for me to handle.

[Greji]

I guess the only way to know for sure is to try it out and see how it goes.

You just gave the best answer to your question. ICU is not on the high end of the scale, but a least they have facilities. Give it a try, you might find you like it.

[barrn]

I've been going for runs every day in the morning for the past week to get my stamina up, and I hired a personal trainer to help get me in top shape before I go. I figure that my first few practices will be easier if I can get through them, haha. How hot is Japan around early September?

[Greji]

I've been going for runs every day in the morning for the past week to get my stamina up, and I hired a personal trainer to help get me in top shape before I go. I figure that my first few practices will be easier if I can get through them, haha. How hot is Japan around early September?

You're out in Mitaka? Don't look for it to cool down much by them. It'll be better, but not much....

[barrn]

You just gave the best answer to your question. ICU is not on the high end of the scale, but a least they have facilities. Give it a try, you might find you like it.

Tried it, love it. My teammates are all great, and it's a great way to practice my Japanese and meet new Japanese friends. Having the camaraderie of a football team definitely helped my adjustment to life in Japan.

Cheers.

[Bucky]

Tried it, love it. My teammates are all great, and it's a great way to practice my Japanese and meet new Japanese friends. Having the camaraderie of a football team definitely helped my adjustment to life in Japan.

Cheers.

Any other FGs on the team or are you the lone wolf. My son tried to play basketball at ICU last fall and found the level of play to be pretty low.

[Bucky]

Tried it, love it. My teammates are all great, and it's a great way to practice my Japanese and meet new Japanese friends. Having the camaraderie of a football team definitely helped my adjustment to life in Japan.

Cheers.

Good for you! Any other FGs on the team or are you the lone wolf? My son tried to play basketball at ICU last fall and found the level of play to be pretty low.

[barrn]

Good for you! Any other FGs on the team or are you the lone wolf? My son tried to play basketball at ICU last fall and found the level of play to be pretty low.

I'm the lone foreigner in the entire league according to my teammates. The level of ICU's football team is pretty high from my perspective. I'm definitely not having an easy time. I'm trying to learn football, which is hard enough, but I'm also doing it in Japanese. I don't think it's impossible, though. I just need to work hard to keep up.

The biggest adjustment is the heat. These guys have worked out together all summer and stayed in shape, and I haven't really. The first few practices in this heat, I was dying. I'm getting adjusted to it now though.

[Mulboyne]

Thanks for the follow-up. Keep us posted if you get the time. Cheerleader photographs are always appreciated although the girls on this board would probably prefer some of your team mates.

[Bucky]

I'm the lone foreigner in the entire league according to my teammates. The level of ICU's football team is pretty high from my perspective. I'm definitely not having an easy time. I'm trying to learn football, which is hard enough, but I'm also doing it in Japanese. I don't think it's impossible, though. I just need to work hard to keep up.

The biggest adjustment is the heat. These guys have worked out together all summer and stayed in shape, and I haven't really. The first few practices in this heat, I was dying. I'm getting adjusted to it now though.

Hang in there and drink lots of fluids and for godssake don't get injured.

I guess the reverse of your situation would be a Japanese student going to the US and joining a judo or karate club with no previous experience. Oh, and like Muyboyne suggested, we'd love to see some cheerleader pix.

[Osakadave]

Tried it, love it. My teammates are all great, and it's a great way to practice my Japanese and meet new Japanese friends. Having the camaraderie of a football team definitely helped my adjustment to life in Japan.

Cheers.

Excellent to hear. Yep, getting involved in somethin that's not study related is a good way to meet people, get adjusted, and build your J skills.

[IkemenTommy]

[Bucky]

[Greji]

Thanks for the follow-up. Keep us posted if you get the time. Cheerleader photographs are always appreciated although the girls on this board would probably prefer some of your team mates.

The girls on this board would rather be playing. They'll dive into anything that resembles a scrum. Gomi's been banned three times for wedgies in the huddle....

[GomiGirl]

The girls on this board would rather be playing. They'll dive into anything that resembles a scrum. Gomi's been banned three times for wedgies in the huddle....

Wedgies are for amateurs.. go for the kancho every time.

[Greji]

Wedgies are for amateurs.. go for the kancho every time.

That explains why I had to limp home from Kiki's Pub that night. Never knew what hit me. You are Fast....

[GomiGirl]

That explains why I had to limp home from Kiki's Pub that night. Never knew what hit me. You are Fast....

Why do you think I always travel with disposable gloves in my purse???

[barrn]

Haha. The cheerleaders are cute, but honestly, I think our team's managers are cuter. I also get to interact with them a lot more than the cheerleaders, so maybe I'm biased.

We don't really have a coach. We have like a faculty advisor type person who I guess comes to games and acts as our coach on the sidelines, but practices are run by our captain and by our part leaders, and organized by the managers. The team is really self-sufficient, but I think it makes everyone a lot closer since we have a lot of direct interaction with each other. I'm really glad I joined.

[barrn]

Just a quick update. We're 2-0 now (beat Kyorin Daigaku and Bunkyo Daigaku in our first two matches). ICU seems to be the team to beat in D3, but we have our toughest match of the season coming up against Niigata this week, so we'll see how it goes.

As for me personally, I still suck, but I suck less badly now. I'm starting to do some things right (a few practices ago I managed to block a punt, and I had did a decent job during pass rush practice last night). We have a lot of injuries, so I might actually get to play in the next match.

Also, in terms of my physical health, I'm in the best shape of my life right now. Since coming to Japan and starting football, I've lost 8 kilos, and I feel like my stamina and endurance have gone way up.

[Greji]

Also, in terms of my physical health, I'm in the best shape of my life right now. Since coming to Japan and starting football, I've lost 8 kilos, and I feel like my stamina and endurance have gone way up.

Good on ya! It's a great game. Gambatte.

[barrn]

Hey everyone. Since our season just ended last weekend, I figured I would pop in and give you guys a final update on how it went.

We finished our season 3-2. After two wins at the start we had a heartbreaking loss against Niigata (easily the best team in our division, but had them trailing us 10-0 at the end of the 1st quarter and were up 14-13 at the start of the 4th) followed by a loss to Asia University (the Battle of Musashisakai) with our roster decimated by injuries. We rounded our season out with a 7-0 win over Tokyo Metropolitan University in a tight defensive battle.

As for my individual performance, I only saw game time in one match (the Asia University one); I started on ST as left guard on the punt coverage and field goal coverage teams. I would have started in the last match too, but I suffered a concussion during the last week of practices (was my 3rd one, have had two in the past from hockey) and I couldn't shake the dizziness and headaches in time for the match, so I was dropped to 3rd string. In the times I did get to play, I didn't fuck anything up and I didn't let any of our kicks get blocked, which is I guess all that can be asked for.

I had a great time playing football. The players and managers became my family in Japan, and I got exactly what I wanted from the experience; a group of people that I could count on and consider as friends while in a new country. I also dropped down to 105 kilograms, a total loss of 17 kg during the season (I was 122 at my first weigh-in before the first practice). Other than the concussion, I'm still feeling like I'm in the best shape of my life. Being around the team has also improved my Japanese in a way that sitting in a classroom and reading from a book cannot.

We have off for two months now, and then I will start practicing with the team again in March. I won't be around for the next season in September of 2011, but I can still practice with the team and play some preseason scrimmages. Overall, this was one of the best things I've ever done in my life, and I'm glad I followed through.

[Stucky]

[quote="barrn"]I had a great time playing football. The players and managers became my family in Japan, and I got exactly what I wanted from the experience]

Way to go, kid! It was great to read your story. Hope to read more of it next year.

Something to shoot for: Japan's semi-pro football league
http://www.xleague.com/

Never say never cuz you never know

[Bursell]

hi. i was thinking, did you have to bring your own equipment or did the university supply you with it. im going to ICU myself in september 2011.

[Bursell]

And btw, im wondering about how good the Runningbacks in the team are. if i maybe got a shot at playing in the games?

[barrn]

I bought my own equipment. The team had chest pads for me to use but I had to buy my own helmet, face mask, pants, leg pads, and jerseys. I spent a lot of money, but you can save some by buying the equipment in the US and bringing it to Japan. It will be cheaper that way.

The whole team is pretty good, so depending on your past experience you may or may not get playing time early on. Are you going to ICU as an OYR or a regular student? If you've played football in America at a serious level before, you'll probably be about equal with the guys on the team, but if you haven't played at all (like me), you'll get pushed around a lot in your first few practices. I knew I was outmatched when I joined, but I wanted to be in a club and I wanted to get in shape, and I accomplished both of those goals. It all depends what you want from it.