The following day, Kay arrived early at the pitch, setting up cones and markers for the training session. He felt more confident with his new artificial leg, and after yesterday's brief practice, he was eager to demonstrate some drills to the kids himself.
As the children gathered around, Kay greeted them with a smile. "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to focus on scanning the field. This means always being aware of what's happening around you so that you can make better decisions with the ball."
Kay then began with the first exercise named: Head-Up Dribbling.
Kay started with a simple drill to get the kids used to keep their heads up while dribbling. He set up a line of cones for dribbling, similar to the previous day, but this time, he added a twist. "Alright, I want you to dribble through these cones, but every time you hear my whistle, I want you to look up and tell me how many fingers I'm holding up while continuing your dribbling," Kay explained.
He demonstrated, weaving through the cones with the ball close to his feet. When he whistled, he looked up, saw Mr. Ramirez holding up two fingers, and called out, "Two!" The kids took turns, and Kay walked around, blowing the whistle at random intervals and holding up different numbers of fingers.
Lucas initially struggled to keep the ball under control while looking up but improved with practice. "Good job, Lucas! Keep those eyes up," Kay encouraged Lucas as he encouraged the others too.
The next exercise was Passing with Awareness.
Next, Kay set up a passing drill with a focus on scanning the field before making a pass. He arranged the kids in pairs again, but this time, he placed cones in a line behind each pair. "In this drill, you'll pass the ball back and forth with your partner. But before you pass, I want you to look around and call out the color of the cone behind your partner. This will help you get used to scanning the field before making a decision, it will help you also detect even the smaller details on the field before making a pass" Kay explained.
He demonstrated with Michael, looking over Michael's shoulder and calling out "Blue" before making the pass. "See how I quickly scanned the area before passing? That's what I want you to do." The kids began the drill, with James and Noah showing particular improvement. "Nice work, James! Great awareness, Noah!" Kay praised them as they called out the cone colors and made accurate passes.
The last exercise by Kay was practicing in game situations.
For the final drill, Kay set up a small-sided game to simulate match conditions, emphasizing the importance of scanning the field. He divided the kids into two teams and placed cones around the pitch with different colors. "During this game, I want you to constantly look around and be aware of your surroundings. If I blow the whistle, you need to shout the color of the nearest one to you before continuing to play. Hey and don't look to the cone after my whistle, don't cheat" Kay instructed.
He joined in the game, playing at a slower pace but demonstrating the importance of scanning the field. Whenever he blew the whistle, the kids quickly called out cone colors, becoming more aware of their positions and those of their teammates.
Kay could see their improvement as the game progressed.Michael, in particular, showed excellent awareness, frequently looking around, taking his time, and making smart decisions with the ball, it's important for him as he was a midfielder.
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After the game, Kay gathered the kids once more. "Great job, everyone! Scanning the field is a critical skill that will help you make better decisions during a game. Remember to keep your head up and always be aware of what's happening around you."
The next day marked the beginning of the weekend, and Kay gathered the kids at the end of their session. "Alright, everyone, great job this week! You all worked really hard. Over the weekend, I want you to rest and also try to practice what you've learned. Remember to keep having fun with it!" The kids nodded enthusiastically, some already planning to meet up and practice together.
That afternoon, Kay had a physical therapy session scheduled with Dr. Thompson. His parents accompanied him to the hospital. Once there, they were greeted by the familiar face of Dr. Thompson, who led them into the therapy room. "How have you been, Kay? How's the leg feeling?" Dr. Thompson asked, a smile on his face.
Kay smiled back, "It's been great, Dr. Thompson. I can do some simple moves with the football now, like passing and walking with it. It's amazing to be able to play again, even if it's just basic stuff." Dr. Thompson nodded approvingly, "That's wonderful news, Kay. It sounds like you're adapting perfectly to the artificial leg. You've come a long way in a short time."
Kay's parents looked relieved and happy. His mother said, "We were worried at first, but seeing how far he's come... it's incredible." The doctor then performed a series of tests and exercises to check Kay's progress. As he observed Kay's movements, he couldn't help but be impressed. "You're moving very well, Kay. Just keep up with the exercises and stay active. You'll become better."
When Kay returned home, he received a call from Ramirez. "Kay, I've got news. Our opponent for the next match has been selected. It's Junior Giants Academy; they're third on the list."
"Oh, they are third, while we're nineteenth that's quite a gap," Kay responded, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead.
"You have one week to prepare. I know you'll do your best," Ramirez encouraged.
Determined to make the most of the time, Kay spent the weekend researching their opponent. He discovered that one of his classmates, Leo Garcia, was coaching the team this month. Leo had been a solid midfielder during his playing days and was known for his strategic mind and disciplined approach to coaching.
The opponent excelled at maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the game. Their midfielders were adept at quick, short passes, making it difficult for opponents to intercept and disrupt their play. Additionally, they had exceptionally fast wingers who could stretch the defense and deliver accurate crosses into the box, creating dangerous scoring opportunities.
Their defense was organized and disciplined, rarely leaving gaps for the opposition to exploit. The team was also known for its effective set pieces. Their corners and free-kicks were well-rehearsed, often resulting in goals.
Key players included Carlos Mendes, a talented midfielder with excellent vision and passing ability who often set up key plays and scoring opportunities; Javier Ruiz, a speedy winger with great dribbling skills and the ability to deliver precise crosses; and Marco Silva, a robust center-back known for his tackling and heading prowess.
The team had been on a winning streak, having won their last four matches convincingly. Their confidence and form were at a peak, making them a formidable opponent.
Kay knew that to stand a chance, his team needed to focus on disrupting their possession game, marking key players tightly, and exploiting any weaknesses in their defensive organization. He also realized the importance of motivating his players and boosting their confidence despite the daunting challenge ahead.
Determined to prepare his team thoroughly, Kay decided to delve deeper into the background of Leo Garcia, the coach of their upcoming opponent. He believed that understanding Leo's coaching influences could provide valuable insights into his tactical approach.
Kay began his search, examining the managers under whom Leo had trained throughout his career. What he discovered left him both surprised and apprehensive.
See you in the next chapter ...
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