บท 33: Second star skill

Sitting on a bench in the park, Yang Yang gently caressed the photograph in his hand.

In the photo, he wore the Almere No. 9 jersey, his smile radiant, standing next to Van Basten in a suit and leather jacket. The legendary Dutch superstar had his hand warmly placed on Yang Yang's shoulder, smiling broadly.

What struck Yang Yang as odd in the photo was his own cautious expression. Though not visibly awkward, his hands seemed uncertain of where to rest, reminding him vividly of the awe he felt meeting his idol that night.

The photo bore Van Basten's autograph, written in an intricate script that Yang Yang couldn't quite decipher, but it always brought him a sense of pride.

Arroyo had helped him laminate the photo for preservation.

He intended to keep the photo as a cherished family heirloom. Regardless of his future achievements, he would proudly show it to his children and grandchildren as proof of his encounter with Van Basten.

Radru and Arroyo sat silently beside him, observing Yang Yang's expression. When they saw him securely tuck the photo into his rucksack, they exchanged a knowing smile.

Van Basten was a revered figure in global football, admired by countless fans, including themselves.

In the realm of professional football, idols invariably leave a lasting impact across generations.

"Is Louis really saying that?" Yang Yang asked with concern.

Just moments ago, Radru had briefed Yang Yang on the outcome of the morning's high-level meeting. Ajax hoped he would participate in the upcoming talent day as planned.

For clarity, Radru had underscored Ajax's intention to sign Yang Yang after the Talent Day event. He highlighted the benefits of participating: the opportunity to impress and potentially advance to the second team under Van Basten's mentorship, a rare chance for accelerated progression.

Typically, progressing from the youth ranks to the second team could take a year or longer, with uncertain coaching stability. This expedited path appealed to Yang Yang.

Yang Yang knew that Van Gaal understood his ambitions, especially his admiration for Van Basten and Ronaldo. This mutual understanding was pivotal in presenting the opportunity without unnecessary tests or challenges.

"It was indeed his decision," Radru confirmed.

"Good. Please convey to Louis that I agree with his plan," Yang Yang affirmed.

Radru and Arroyo exchanged pleased glances, acknowledging Yang Yang's acceptance into Ajax's youth team.

"Please extend my congratulations on his appointment as Ajax's technical director. I look forward to our next meeting. And please pass on my thanks to Marco," Yang Yang added warmly.

As he finished, Yang Yang patted his rucksack and silently thanked Van Basten for autographing the photo.

For him, the gesture was a cherished gift.

Ever since he started playing football, Yang Yang had been familiar with the name Van Basten. Over the years, he had idolized both Van Basten and Ronaldo, dreaming of one day playing alongside them.

Now that Van Basten was within reach and Ronaldo was far away at Real Madrid, the opportunity to train under and play for Van Basten was a dream come true after years of longing.

"OK, we'll make sure to convey your gratitude," Radru assured him.

"Thank you."

"If you think it's necessary, we can arrange for you to skip the initial test phase and go straight to the group stage during Genius Day," Radru suggested.

Yang Yang thought for a moment, then shook his head decisively. "No, thank you. If I'm going to participate, I want to do it by the book. Besides, I'm eager to measure our progress over the past two months with Henk Dimer and Nick."

Radru and Arroyo exchanged glances, both pleased with Yang Yang's confidence.

Based on Yang Yang's recent performances in Almere, he was expected to be in the upper midfield for Ajax's Genius Day selection. However, given his dedication and rapid improvement over the past few months, there was potential for him to exceed expectations and surprise everyone. Such an outcome would be a testament to the faith Radru and Arroyo had placed in him.

"All right, we'll keep you posted. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Radru assured him.

...

After bidding farewell to Radru and Arroyo, Yang Yang gathered his belongings and headed back to the Chinese restaurant.

Uncle Shen Ming understood that Yang Yang always had his own ideas. Joining Ajax's youth team was undoubtedly a wise decision, and Shen Ming was supportive and optimistic, encouraging Yang Yang to keep striving to play for Ajax's first team.

At just 16, Yang Yang didn't have a detailed plan for his future. Even Ajax, renowned for nurturing young talent, found it extremely challenging for players to make their first-team debuts at such a young age. Even prodigy Van der Vaart was 17 when he made his first appearance, and he made just one in his debut season.

Other talents from the youth system, like Ryan Babel, also struggled to break into the first team.

Faced with this reality, Yang Yang remained grounded and self-aware. He understood that rather than fixating on the first team, his immediate focus should be on improving his skills and securing a place in the youth team as quickly as possible, ideally under Van Basten's guidance in the second team.

With his short-term goals in mind, Yang Yang quickly turned his attention to the upcoming Talent Day.

Knowing Van Gaal's intentions, he naturally aimed to excel at the event, so he needed to address his weaknesses promptly.

"Can I learn a second star skill?" Yang Yang asked anxiously as he returned home for lunch and immediately accessed the Dream Training System to consult Zax.

Over the past few months, Yang Yang had immersed himself in training Ronaldo's skills, focusing on perfecting the step-over move and body feints. Once he had mastered these aspects of Ronaldo's famous techniques, he began to work on other facets, such as changing pace and direction.

However, despite his progress and impressive performances for Almere in amateur competitions, Yang Yang had begun to recognize his weaknesses. His basic skills, especially his first touch, remained his biggest challenge.

Even now, Yang Yang worked diligently on his ball control every day, taking every opportunity to train with the ball whenever possible. While his overall touch was satisfactory, his ability to receive the ball under pressure, especially from defenders, needed significant improvement.

He understood that controlling the ball in dynamic situations was far more demanding than in static drills.

In response, Zax had incorporated Yang Yang's basic skills training into every aspect of his daily routine. Whether it was kicking against the wall or doing specific drills, there were dedicated sessions focused on improving his first touch in both static and dynamic scenarios.

However, Yang Yang recognized that honing these skills, especially under pressure, would take considerable time and effort, and he was prepared for the long haul in his quest for improvement.

"When playing in amateur games, Yang Yang has clearly felt the limitations of his skills, which has prompted him to seek further improvement."

"Yes," Zax's voice whispered in his ear. "What would you like to learn?"

"Do you have any suggestions for my current weaknesses?" Yang Yang inquired.

"You have several weaknesses: first touch, passing, crossing, shooting, except for one-on-one breakthroughs, other aspects seem quite weak," Zax replied bluntly.

Yang Yang couldn't help but feel a bit taken aback by Zax's directness. "Could you soften that a bit?"

"I'm just stating the facts," Zax replied matter-of-factly.

"Alright," Yang Yang sighed helplessly, "then please analyse and advise me."

"If you want to improve your first touch, Bergkamp's techniques would be very beneficial. As for passing, there are many players with deep passing skills, both long and short. However, Beckham's accuracy with his right-sided passes is unparalleled and could be considered top class," Zax suggested.

For Yang Yang, these were the main deficiencies highlighted, areas in which he knew he needed to improve significantly.

Bergkamp's ball control was indeed exemplary. Yang Yang recalled Van Gaal mentioning that Bergkamp had honed his first touch through rigorous wall training, which required exceptional basic skills.

For Yang Yang, struggling with his first touch had become a defining challenge. Recognising this, his teammates often tried to set him up in positions where he had plenty of space in front of him to minimise the impact of his poor first touch.

Yang Yang's daily training regimen is already quite demanding, with the majority of his time dedicated to fundamental drills. His commitment to mastering Ronaldo's skills necessitates consistent practice and dedication. Given these priorities, he hesitates to allocate excessive time specifically to improving his first touch, as doing so might compromise other areas of his training without yielding significant short-term benefits.

Nevertheless, refining ball control remains paramount. A polished first touch is indispensable for professional players on the field, underscoring the necessity for continued practice. Yang Yang acknowledges this, yet he prioritizes honing his basic skills before focusing intensively on this aspect of his game.

Regarding passing, Yang Yang currently views it as secondary given his role as a winger, a position he intends to uphold at Ajax. Similarly, he recognizes that shooting opportunities may be limited in Ajax's structured system, akin to the constraints faced by established figures like Ibrahimovic and Van der Vaart.

With these considerations in mind, Yang Yang perceives enhancing his crossing ability as the most feasible pathway to bolstering his competitiveness in the near term. His crossing has been identified as inconsistent, a notable weakness highlighted during amateur competitions and emphasized by both Johnny Rep and Ajax.

They contend that by achieving proficiency in crossing, combined with his wing prowess and knack for penetrating defenses, Almere's attacking potential could significantly elevate, potentially challenging Ajax.

Crossing, often underestimated, is remarkably intricate. Despite Yang Yang's attempts to emulate techniques from renowned players, success has been elusive. The accuracy of a cross hinges on numerous factors—technique, positioning, and posture—each critical in delivering effective passes.

In football, the apparent simplicity of a pass often masks its inherent difficulty, especially when executed at high speeds. For Yang Yang, honing his crossing technique emerges as the critical area demanding improvement.

Significant strides in his crossing ability could substantially bolster Yang Yang's standing within the Ajax youth team. Precise, incisive runs and dependable crosses are poised to become his defining attributes over the next two to three years.

Similar to the renowned Eindhoven speedster Robben, celebrated for his lightning-quick pace and pinpoint runs along the flank, and the former Ajax star Van der Meyde, who mastered wing play and accurate passing through rigorous training, their adeptness in crossing garnered the attention of Europe's elite clubs.

Yet Yang Yang currently lacks the same level of reliability in his crosses.

Following consultations with Zax and careful analysis of his options, Yang Yang swiftly opted to focus on mastering the second star skill.

"There's no doubt about it. For a winger like him, mastering the cross is the best choice," confirmed Zax.

As Zax's words faded, the starlight surrounding the Dream Training System suddenly dimmed. Beckham's figure, however, grew increasingly luminous until it transformed into a lightning bolt that struck directly into Yang Yang's consciousness.

In that moment, a montage of Beckham's career crosses flashed through Yang Yang's mind, each frame unfolding in a manner that felt both prolonged and instantaneous.

When Yang Yang snapped out of his trance, Beckham was standing on the right side of the training ground.

"Beckham's crosses typically fall into two categories," Zax explained.

With swift movements, Beckham advanced towards the ball and, after a few steps, unleashed a perfectly curved pass that landed precisely in the intended spot within the penalty area, leaving virtually no room for error.

Yang Yang observed Beckham's crosses attentively, noting several crucial details. Before executing the run, Beckham positioned the ball on his instep with a slightly unconventional stance, notably a forty-five-degree angle between his supporting heel and the ball, with arms extended.

This low, swift delivery was ideal for placing into the box, particularly when targeting teammates with good finishing ability.

"The second type is the looping cross," Zax elaborated.

As Zax's voice trailed off, the stars and ball on the training pitch returned to their original positions.

Beckham swiftly approached the ball once more, taking only a couple of steps before striking it with a firm thud. The ball spun vigorously off his right foot, initially seeming destined for goal before sharply curving outward and landing with pinpoint accuracy in the designated area.

Yang Yang watched in admiration, thoroughly impressed by the precision and technique on display.

Having dedicated extensive practice to crossing on his own, Yang Yang grasped firsthand the challenges of executing such lofted crosses.

Reflecting on the earlier demonstration of Starlight and Shadow, Yang Yang gained deeper insights. Though the approach and posture resembled the previous technique, Beckham this time utilized the inside of his foot rather than the instep employed for the long pass.

The looping cross, slower than the long pass yet deliberately unpredictable, aimed to unsettle both goalkeepers and defenders alike.

"All of Beckham's passing skills generally fall into these two categories. If you understand and practice them thoroughly, your passing skills will improve significantly, which will also benefit your long passes and free kicks," Zax concluded.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of football skills, Yang Yang understood the importance of mastering long-range passing as a strategic asset to disrupt opponents' defensive lines. While mastering free kicks would be advantageous, he considered it a secondary priority at present.

Zax continued to guide Yang Yang through repeated viewings of the Starlight and Shadow demonstration, emphasizing critical elements of 'Beckham's skills', with particular focus on techniques for both inside and outside crosses.

Yang Yang had already discerned numerous nuances on his own—the rhythm of the run, stride length, positioning of the supporting foot relative to the ball, posture, footwork, and muscle strength—all crucial details in perfecting his technique.

Fundamentally, Yang Yang understood that he needed to tailor his crosses to fit his own style. This realization was not unexpected; Zax had previously underscored the importance of finding one's rhythm when Yang Yang first delved into "Ronaldo's skills".

Experience had taught him that blindly emulating others might not yield optimal results. Just as with Ronaldo's skills, Beckham's crosses had to be adapted to suit Yang Yang's unique attributes.

Grasping this balance between personal adaptation and external influences was crucial as he continued his journey in football.

The dynamics of the pitch are in constant flux, demanding continual adaptation. Whether your teammates surge forward or opponents defend, the ball doesn't pause to accommodate you. This necessitates acute observation and anticipation to deliver crosses with optimal precision.

A precise sense of distance is paramount.

Whether executing a cross or a long pass, precise judgment of distance at the point of delivery, coupled with the appropriate application of force, ensures the ball lands precisely where intended.

Reflecting on Beckham's renowned passing prowess, Yang Yang admired Beckham's ability to deliver pinpoint crosses even without aligning perfectly with his target, creating scoring opportunities.

This underscores the challenge of mastering Beckham's crossing technique.

Beyond refining fundamental skills like footwork, muscle strength, and posture, mastering distance judgment and force application through rigorous practice is essential.

Malcolm Gladwell's '10,000-hour rule', detailed in his book Outliers, underscores the necessity of extensive practice to achieve mastery in any skill, including football.

For Yang Yang, innate talent matters less than his dedication to training. His primary focus remains on continuous improvement until he achieves personal satisfaction with his performance.

Meanwhile, Zax has tailored Yang Yang's training regimen. During wall practice sessions, the emphasis shifted to mastering crosses over 20 meters. Yang Yang had to adeptly control the bouncing ball and execute precise first touches in motion—a simulation of real match scenarios.

The objective of this training was to acquaint Yang Yang with diverse crossing situations, enabling him to seamlessly adapt during matches.

Within the Dream Training System, Zax introduced virtual simulations featuring Beckham to refine Yang Yang's crossing techniques. Starting at 20 meters, the distance would incrementally increase as Yang Yang conquered each stage.

Addressing concerns about Yang Yang's right-foot strength, Zax attributed the issue to technique rather than raw power—a facet requiring refinement to maximize Yang Yang's passing efficacy.

...

In the days following the amateur match, Yang Yang slipped back into his rigorous training routine, reminiscent of the focused preparation he maintained before matches. Each night, guided by Zax within the Dream Training System, he dedicated himself to mastering the star skills of [Ronaldo's Skills] and [Beckham's Skills], alongside fundamental training programs.

Throughout the day, except for brief meal breaks, Yang Yang immersed himself in training at the skate park. Zax had meticulously organized his training schedule, striking a balance between intense sessions and ample rest periods. Despite the demanding nature of the training, Yang Yang managed to sustain his energy levels by occasionally adjusting his afternoon routine based on the morning's sessions during lunch breaks.

Days passed with this disciplined approach, marked by unwavering commitment to enhancing his skills.

Amidst his focused training regimen, Anton Hanssen, a scout from Eindhoven, visited the Chinese restaurant once in an attempt to recruit Yang Yang. However, Yang Yang was not present at the time, and Uncle Shen Ming politely declined the offer on his behalf, citing Yang Yang's allegiance to Ajax.

Expressing regret over the missed opportunity, Anton Hanssen was undeterred and later that afternoon, Piet de Visser, Eindhoven's chief scout, personally phoned the restaurant. He reiterated Eindhoven's interest and extended a professional contract offer featuring an enticing salary, coupled with the promise of first-team football within three years.

Yang Yang would celebrate his 17th birthday in October, meaning he would be 19 by the end of Eindhoven's proposed timeframe. Despite the compelling offer and long-term commitment from Eindhoven, Uncle Shen Ming graciously declined once more on behalf of Yang Yang, expressing gratitude for their interest. Yang Yang's unwavering focus remained on Ajax, where he aimed to play under his idol, Van Basten.

Confident in his abilities, Yang Yang believed that with persistent effort and continuous improvement, he would realize his ambition of breaking into Ajax's first team within the next three years.