Chương 52: Chasing penalties
If the story receives 30 power stones in the next 48 hours, I will share one additional chapter.
Kay's practical month with Starlight FC has reached an end in the advanced chapters, You can check this out in the advanced chapters on my Patreon.
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Kay concluded the session and watched as the players started to disperse, their spirits high after a productive day of training.
But before everyone could leave, he called out to Antony. The young winger paused, turning back with a look of interrogation.
Kay asked him if he could stay for some special training.
Antony looked confused, Kay hadn't asked any of the players to stay behind for extra work in the previous days, and with only two days left before the match, Antony couldn't help but wonder what this last-minute session was about.
Sensing Antony's hesitation, Kay quickly reassured him. "Don't worry, Antony, This won't take long. I just want to go over something with you that could make a big difference in our match against Ashford Rovers."
Still somewhat puzzled, Antony nodded, trusting Kay but unsure of what to expect.
Kay led him to a quieter part of the training ground, away from the distractions of the other players packing up their gear.
As they walked, Kay began to explain his reasoning. "Antony, You've got incredible speed and dribbling ability. That's something we can really use to our advantage, against Ashford Rovers."
Antony listened carefully. Kay continued, "The thing is, because you haven't been in the starting lineup much, you haven't had as many opportunities to develop some of the finer aspects of your game; like how to use your skills to win penalties. This could be a key strategy for us."
"Here's what I'm thinking, when you're inside the box, especially with Ashford Rovers likely crowding it, there'll be a lot of legs trying to stop you. If you can use your speed and dribbling to get past them, or even to draw a clumsy tackle, we could force them into making mistakes. A well-timed dribble, a quick change of direction; that's all it takes to win a penalty."
Kay then moved on to the practical part of the session. He demonstrated a few specific dribbling moves that Antony could use in tight spaces, particularly in and around the penalty area.
The first was the "step-over," a classic move that could easily throw off a defender's balance, especially in close quarters.
Kay showed how a quick, fluid step-over could create just enough space to slip through a gap.
Next, Kay introduced the "drag back" and "cut inside" maneuvers. He explained how these could be used when Antony found himself near the edge of the box, with defenders converging on him.
"If you can drag the ball back and then cut inside quickly, it forces the defender to either back off or make a risky challenge, and in a crowded box, even a slight touch could send you down and give us a penalty."
After explaining his ideas to Antony, Kay instructed him to begin training on the specific skills they had discussed earlier, such as the step-over and drag-back moves.
Kay emphasized the importance of practicing dribbling in tight spaces, something that would be crucial in the upcoming match.
Antony nodded and began working on his dribbling techniques with a focused intensity. Kay watched closely, offering tips and fixing errors as Antony moved through the drills.
After some time had passed, Kay decided that they had done enough for the day.
He walked over to Antony, who was panting slightly from the exertions supplied and told him to wrap it up.
"We'll stop here for today. But remember to apply what we've worked on in tomorrow's simulation match. It'll give you a chance to practice these moves under more realistic conditions."
The next day, Kay arrived at the training ground early, as was his habit.
The morning was crisp, and the field was still damp with dew when he began setting things up.
Once everyone had arrived, he gathered them around and laid out the plan for the day.
"Today, we'll have a simulation match. One team will play defensively, focusing on holding their shape and countering, while the other will be on the attack, working to break them down. After that, we'll switch roles, so everyone gets a chance to experience both sides of the game."
Kay's words drew the attention of the entire squad, but it was his next announcement that truly stirred the group.
"Anouar, Sam, Harper, Turner, and Antony would remain on the offensive team for both matches,"
When the players heard this announcement they supposed that these names would be in the starting lineup, but that shocked them.
Anouar, Sam, Harper, and Turner had been the focus of the special drills for the Crossfield Strike tactic, so it made sense to start the game.
But when Kay mentioned Antony, the reaction was different. A murmur rippled through the group as players exchanged glances and whispered to one another.
Antony had been more of a bench player, so hearing his name alongside the key players was unexpected for many of his teammates.
Kay noticed the whispers and the looks of surprise. He immediately addressed the team, his voice firm.
"I see some of you are surprised, but let me tell you, we'll need Antony's skills in the next match, especially given the defensive style our opponents are likely to use. His speed, dribbling, and ability to create something out of nothing will be crucial for us."
The players quieted down, some nodding in understanding while others still seemed a bit unsure.
Antony himself felt a mix of pride and pressure. This was his chance to prove himself, to show that he deserved a spot in the starting lineup.
He knew that Kay was putting a lot of trust in him, and he was determined not to let his manager down.
With the teams set, Kay blew his whistle, signaling the start of the simulation match.
As the match progressed, Kay watched closely, evaluating each player's performance.
He was particularly interested in how well the Crossfield Strike would work in a more competitive setting.
But the players were persistent, refining their timing and coordination with each try.
As the simulation match wore on, Antony started to make a noticeable impact. Proving that Kay's decision wasn't wrong.
As the first simulation match came to a close, Kay took a moment to review his notes, meticulously going over each player's performance.
He had been particularly focused on how well the players adapted to his tactics, making sure to write down observations about those who excelled in executing the plan and those who struggled.
Once the first match was over, Kay called for a short break, allowing the players to catch their breath and rehydrate.
As they took a breather, Kay gave them some instructions.
"Now we're switching roles. Those who were on the offensive side, you're now defending, and vice versa."
The players nodded, some stretching out their legs while others simply closed their eyes for a brief moment of rest.
After a few minutes, Kay blew his whistle, signaling the end of the break. The players switched sides and prepared themselves for the second match.
As the second simulation match got underway, Kay once again took his place on the sidelines, clipboard in hand.
He observed the players closely, paying attention not only to their technical execution but also to their decision-making and positioning.
As the second match came to an end, Kay blew the final whistle and called the players together.
Once the players had gathered, Kay instructed them to sit down and begin their recovery process.
Some of them immediately reached for water bottles, while others stretched out on the grass, trying to ease the tension in their muscles.
As they settled in, Kay opened the system and began checking the players' stats.
See you in the next chapter...
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