Study of the integrated handball coaching system in Japan: with reference to the JFA and JVA

An integrated coaching system was adopted by the Japan Handball Association (JHA) in 2000, but in terms of international competition its results have been less than satisfactory. According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the effectiveness of the integrated coaching system is directly related to achievements at the Olympic Games. Therefore, in order to improve the competitiveness of Japanese Handball at international level, it is pivotal to seek out problems within the system so that further improvements can be made. This study was aimed at identifying ways to improve the effectiveness of the integrated coaching system for Japanese handball by comparing the patterns of promoting factors as well as inhibiting factors in the process of implementing the said system for representative teams in the JHA, the Japan Football Association (JFA), and the Japan Volleyball Association (JVA). To this end, interviews were conducted with 6 former chairmen or deputy chairmen of committees related to the integrated coaching system in the JFA, JVA, and JHA. A qualitative analysis of these interviews was performed and the following findings were obtained. 1. There appear to be 3 main issues with the JHA integrated coaching system: 1) The athlete development program has not been revised; 2) The athlete development program has not been properly implemented throughout the nation; 3) The program lacks visibility. 2. Three countermeasures have been suggested to tackle the above issues: 1) Reorganize the programs based on objective data; 2) Allow leaders to communicate new development principles to teams across the country; 3) Create a new excavation/nurturing location where many people gather.