#Japan #Tokyo #KDDI #Keisuke Honda #4v4 Soccer

Experience the Excitement of 4v4 Soccer with Keisuke Honda

This past weekend, an exciting festival brought together around 300 parent-child pairs to experience a unique form of soccer—4v4, specially designed by the renowned Japanese footballer Keisuke Honda. The event, titled "4v4 EVENT Presented by au: Fall Soccer Festival for Families", was jointly organized by Now Do Inc. and KDDI and took place on November 1-2, 2025, at the Tamaplaza Terrace North Plaza in Tokyo.

A Fresh Take on Soccer

The 4v4 format hails from Honda's vision to invigorate youth soccer in Japan. By discarding the conventional rules of traditional soccer, this format enhances children's autonomy and creativity while ensuring they have a great time. The festival included various exciting activities that not only kept children active but also engaged them in meaningful experiences with their families.

The two-day event featured a series of engaging activities for attendees, starting with an electrifying opening ceremony featuring esteemed guests from the soccer world, including the comedy duo Penalty, who are also ardent soccer fans, and former professional soccer player Koji Yamase. Events included a 4v4 Soccer Clinic, where kids learned firsthand from professionals, a 4v4 Special Match, and fun attractions for families to collectively enjoy.

Celebrities Join the Kickoff Event

The lineup of the opening ceremony was a highlight, blending sport with entertainment. Penalty's comedians participated in a quiz about 4v4 soccer and faced off with elementary school teams in an exhibition match. This allowed families and children to experience the spirit of 4v4 up close. The comedians, both soccer enthusiasts, expressed their insights on the 4v4 rules:

• - HIDE noted, "As a parent myself, I realize that children can think more independently than we expect, so the 4v4 rules fostering autonomy could extend beyond just soccer to other areas of life."

• - WAKKY added, "This is the kind of system I wished we had in my time! The importance of creativity in thinking is vital, just like I have to think of new gags myself!" Their humor struck a chord with the audience, making the event even more memorable.

High-Octane Special Matches

In yet another thrilling segment, Penalty joined forces with children from winning U10 and U12 teams, The Invincibles and Y.S. Lettuce, to play a special match. The intensity rose when younger comedians, including Shinsuke Omori and Tairo, expressed their eagerness to join in, creating an impromptu special team alongside Yamase.

The game was marked by moments of skill, agility, and youthful enthusiasm, with WAKKY humorously remarking, "Remember, we're playing against elementary school kids!" Their commentary enhanced the lively atmosphere. As the game unfolded, players found themselves captivated by 4v4's fast-paced nature, which made even experienced players adapt their strategies. After concluding the intense match, WAKKY expressed the thrill of having to shoot within 20 seconds and noted how the intensity turned it into a genuine competition — with laughter and camaraderie shared among all participants.

Hands-on 4v4 Experience for Kids

At the heart of the event was a dedicated area where children could directly engage with 4v4 soccer, thanks to professional guidance. Participants enjoyed a comprehensive 4v4 Soccer Clinic, where they experienced the rules and strategies of the game, facilitated by coaches including former professionals Ryuji Bando and Yuji Nakazawa.

Activities also featured a high-energy Special Match where elementary teams exhibited stellar teamwork and accelerated play, drawing cheers from excited spectators as participants chased after the ball. Children relished the excitement of teamwork while learning practical skills and having fun.

Attractions for Everyone

In addition to games, an interactive 4v4 Attraction Booth was set up where attendees could engage in activities that illustrated teamwork and strategy while uncovering the joy of 4v4. Completing all attractions allowed participants to challenge themselves with a unique 4v4 Quiz, with winners taking home exclusive merchandise.

Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing that their children had previously enjoyed 4v4, further inspiring them to attend the event. Others experienced 4v4 for the first time, finding themselves equally thrilled to see their children actively engaged.

Understanding 4v4

For those unfamiliar with the game, 4v4 is a new take on soccer that aims to enhance youth participation and is designed to promote self-directed thinking among children. Recognizing the need for a format that encourages creativity and teamwork, the innovative rules include a 10-minute one-time match, with opportunities for players to rotate freely and a 20-second shot clock designed to ensure swift play. Furthermore, no coaches or managers supervise the benches, fostering a sense of autonomy among players.

In conclusion, this year's 4v4 festival has not only solidified its place in the hearts of attendees but has also laid a foundation for a deeper connection between families and the sport. Through the hard work of organizers Honda and KDDI, the event successfully showcased the spirit of soccer while nurturing future stars to further develop the Japanese soccer landscape.

For more information, you can visit the official 4v4 website.