In comparing the tennis practices from my high school team to the ones in Japan, I honestly didn\u2019t notice much difference in the tennis itself. Every practice started out the same way, with the relaxed long-range rallies sans the jogging around the courts (supposedly because the courts in Japan are shared with about 5 other groups at any given point). When all the important sempai had finally assembled, we would gather in a circle and wish each other well, then splitting off into two groups: one to return the practice shots, and another to catch the balls and return them to the baskets, where the \u201cinstructor\u201d sempai would grab them and shoot off practice shots to the other side. Interestingly enough, Mika, our \u201cguardian sempai\u201d who looked over us from the first day, would always direct us as to which group to join. After a few practices, I started realizing that our group never had the opportunity to practice smashes, volleys, or line drives \u2013 that is to say, Mika had purposefully funneled us into the \u201clower level\u201d group. A month or so in, she stopped directing us, a psychological graduation from our initiation into soft tennis. Practice would ensue, with the two groups switching off, culminating in 3-point sets played across two courts. \u201cDon\u2019t mind!\u201d, \u201cNice Shot!\u201d, and \u201cLAAAST!\u201d (to signify the last few shots before a switch off) resounded around the courts. Finally, two \u201crepresentatives\u201d would start sweeping the sand evenly back across the courts while the rest of the team congregated around the benches for some idle post-practice chatter. At the very end, another group circle-up and \u201cOtsukaresamadesita!\u201d concluded the events of the night.<\/p>\n
With just these actions, there were a few key differences that I immediately picked up on between Japanese and American tennis practices. They were both highly ritualized \u2013 the American one was mostly a physical ritual, beginning with a jog, then a mini rally by the net, moving gradually further back to coincide with the long-range rallies beginning the Japanese practice. Japanese ritualization, however, was more of the language<\/em> and social hierarchy <\/em>that was implemented, such as \u201cYoroshikuonegaishimasu!\u201d at the beginning of practice and per switch-off, having assigned \u201ccourt sweepers\u201d, and subordination to (through fetching balls for) the sempai who were conducting the drills. Distinguishing between the upper and underclassmen was made incredibly easy due to the standardized greetings afforded to upperclassmen compared to the casual waves to incoming underclassmen.<\/p>\n Another point of interest was the use of English phrases (as exampled above) throughout practice. At first, I had to really strain my ear to figure out what was being said, but once figured out the phrases became second nature. As these phrases are actually more ingrained into Japanese culture, it\u2019s totally understandable that the group would use these set phrases, but I\u2019m still curious to see if other sports \/ CIP groups tend to use English exclamations.<\/p>\n All in all, soft tennis will definitely mark my experience in Kyoto \u2013 the foray into Saiin, the sand in my socks, soft tennis balls hurtling at me at breakneck speed. But most of all, I\u2019ll remember the members of Kyoto University\u2019s Soft Tennis Circle, for all their their kindness and the wonderful memories they\u2019ve left with me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In comparing the tennis practices from my high school team to the ones in Japan, I honestly didn\u2019t notice much … \u7d9a\u304d\u3092\u8aad\u3080