Team
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Pre-Season Interview /
Head Coach Samuel Vo

Japanese volleyball has "become an open world"

It was 20 years ago that I played as a volleyball player in Japan. It was for one season in 2005-06, and I am very honored to be back in Japan to lead OSAKA BLUTEON as head coach.
Compared to 20 years ago, the Japanese volleyball world has changed significantly. I have the impression that it has become a very open world, with an environment now in place to welcome foreign players and head coaches. Similarly, while it was rare to see Japanese players competing in overseas leagues back then, there are now many players doing so. I very much welcome these new changes, and it is also wonderful that Japan's unique volleyball culture and traditions have been carried on and blended in.
I have visited Japan many times not only as an active player but also as a national team head coach, and I can feel that a very positive movement is happening throughout the volleyball world right now. I am taking on the role of head coach of OSAKA BLUTEON at a time when volleyball is beginning to be recognized as an important sport within Japan. As someone involved in volleyball, I believe I am taking on a very important responsibility, and I have a duty to convey the power and appeal that volleyball possesses as a team sport.
Volleyball is a very unique sport; it is not a game where one person keeps and passes the ball, but one where you connect it with a split-second touch. How we work together and face challenges as a team to achieve that success is something that applies not only to volleyball matches but also to everyday life. It also offers hints for how to behave in order to succeed in the business field. That is precisely why I believe it is worth spreading the word that volleyball is a wonderful team sport, and I consider that to be a very important responsibility.

To achieve big goals, each and every person must do their best

I have worked as a head coach in various countries, including Poland and Russia. Volleyball is volleyball regardless of the country or location, and in that respect, there is no difference, but the environment in Japan is truly wonderful. The coaching staff at OSAKA BLUTEON also fulfills their responsibilities well in response to the many things I demand. As a European, there are many things I should learn from the unique Japanese culture of "seniority."
However, I do not want the players to misunderstand; I want them to play for themselves, not for me as their head coach or for the coaching staff.
As head coach, I understand and grasp their backgrounds and personalities, and rather than steering them, I guide them to achieve the goals they wish to accomplish. It is important for every single person, both players and staff, to do their best to achieve the big goals we have set as a team. There is no greater joy for me as a head coach than to be able to support the players who wish to improve and are putting in the effort.
Throughout a long season, it may gradually become clear to the players themselves who the key players on the team are and who will be playing in the matches. However, the standard I demand of the players is the same at all times. Whether they are a key player or a substitute, the criteria are the same, and what I request of them is the same. I am always equal.
Of course, because everyone has a different personality, I change how I communicate and interact with them. This is the most difficult part of being a coach, but it is also very enjoyable. This is because no two people have the same personality, so figuring out how to deal with each individual is my job.
Young players sometimes use their age as an excuse, saying "I'm young." And veteran players sometimes do the same, saying "I'm already this age," trying to find reasons for why they cannot do something. But from my perspective, age has nothing to do with whether you can or cannot do something. If you truly wish for it from the bottom of your heart, you can improve. What is important is whether you truly wish for it from the bottom of your heart.
If you wanted to climb Mount Fuji tomorrow, what would you do? If you were serious about climbing it no matter what, you would look for ways to climb Mount Fuji by any means necessary. If you give up and say, "That's impossible," then that's the end of it. Even if you know it's not easy, a path can open up depending on your conviction. The presence or absence of that conviction should be the path to success as a team and as a player.
To know the players, I must first know myself. My strengths, my weaknesses, and my personality as a human being. Can a person with low self-understanding understand others? It is impossible. I, as an individual, look at and interact with each player as a different individual. As we fight together in this way, when we face difficult challenges as a team, what kind of chemistry will be created? I believe that is when we can truly realize that we are the same "team."

With a deeper team, "I want you to see us mature while clearing our challenges"

There are five years of foundation built by (former head coach Laurent) Tillie, and I feel very honored to have been appointed as his successor. I have been thinking about what to carry over from the past five years and what to change. It is not just me as the head coach; new players have joined this season, and we are starting as a new team.
I watched about 70-80% of last season's matches, and the first major change is that the team's first setter will be different. With (Antoine) Brizard joining, I am curious to see how the team's balance will change. Not only Brizard, but Shunsuke Nakamura has also prepared very well to get to this point, so I am very much looking forward to their integration.
I would like you to pay attention to not only the setters but also which outside hitters will be playing. Honestly speaking, even I do not know yet who will be in or what the combinations will be. And this is actually a wonderful thing, because it means our roster is that deep. Not just the outside hitters, but other positions are also competing in a good way, and the team is growing.
In terms of technical aspects, first is strengthening our serves. In particular, I want them to hit spin serves more and more aggressively. There are many players on Bluteon who can hit wonderful serves, so I want to use their serves as a weapon to also strengthen our block defense. As our attack combination style changes, I would like you to watch us mature while clearing challenges one by one.
And above all, there is one important thing I am conveying: 'No matter who plays, never give up, no matter the situation.' Even if the team loses, we will not make excuses for the result, but will always continue to search for ways to break through as we fight.
For that reason, I have one request. It is a very simple message.
Please come to watch our matches and support us.
It is all of you who support us that give us energy. When you come to the venue and cheer us on, we are guaranteed to be replenished with a few percent more energy. If you watch our matches, we will convey the fun and joy that will become the energy for us to survive each day.
I am sincerely waiting for you all to come.