L-shaped attack
If the story receives 30 power stones in the next 24 hours, I will share one additional chapter tomorrow.
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One day left.
Saturday morning, one day before the big match, Kay stood before his team, a list in his hands, ready to announce the starting lineup.
Mr. Ramirez was present, watching with a keen eye. Kay took a deep breath and addressed the eager young players.
"Alright, team, tomorrow is the day we've been preparing for,"
Kay began. "I have the starting lineup here, and we'll be playing in a 2-1-2-1 formation. Most teams play with a 2-2-2 setup, but we're going to use our wingers to help in defense as well. This is a strategic move to ensure we have a strong defense while still maintaining our offensive potential."
Kay read out the lineup, each name met with a mixture of excitement and determination:
"Goalkeeper: Ethan
Defenders: Aiden, Mark
Midfielder: Michael
Wingers: Taylor, Liam
Striker: Alex"
He paused to let the names sink in.
The list represented some changes from the starting lineup Ramirez had before Kay took over, reflecting the progress and potential Kay had seen in these players during their intense training sessions.
Kay had spent the past two weeks with the team without ever looking at any of the players' stats.
He believed that in kids' football, stats weren't everything, and he didn't want numbers to influence his choices.
Instead, he focused on observing their skills, dedication, and how well they worked together as a team.
"Now, I want everyone to do some light exercises for the next half hour,"
Kay continued. "Stretch, jog, and just keep your muscles loose. After that, I want you all to take the rest of the day off. Eat well, hydrate, and make sure you get plenty of sleep. We need to be at our best tomorrow."
As the kids began their light exercises, Kay watched them with a sense of pride.
They had come a long way in a short amount of time.
After the session, as the kids were getting ready to leave, Kay called out, "Michael, Taylor, Aiden, could you stay back for a moment?"
The three boys approached, curious and attentive.
Kay smiled at them. "You three are key players in tomorrow's match. Michael, as our central midfielder, you'll need to control the tempo and distribute the ball efficiently. Taylor, you'll be our winger. Your job is to help out in defense and quickly transition to attack. Aiden, you'll be anchoring our defense with Mark. Communication and positioning will be crucial."
Michael nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Coach. I'll do my best to keep the team moving and create opportunities."
Taylor grinned, "I've been practicing my sprints and crosses. I'm ready to help out in both defense and attack."
Aiden, always reliable, added, "I'll make sure our defense stays strong. We'll keep them out."
Kay decided then it was time to delve into the stats of his key players, something he had avoided until now.
Kay then looked secretly at Taylor.
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Player: Taylor
Pace: 30
Shooting: 21
Passing: 23
Dribbling: 25
Defending: 16
Physical: 19
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Then Kay's gaze passed to Michael.
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Player: Michael
Pace: 24
Shooting: 24
Passing: 30
Dribbling: 23
Defending: 20
Physical: 18
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And now it's the turn of Aiden.
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Player: Aiden
Pace: 20
Shooting: 18
Passing: 19
Dribbling: 15
Defending: 29
Physical: 21
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Kay called the three boys over once again. "Alright, I believe we have a trick up our sleeve that could be decisive in the match. We're going to practice a specific drill. Aiden, you'll be our defender, while Taylor and Michael will work on the attack."
The boys nodded, eager to learn the new tactic.
Kay laid out the drill: "Michael, you'll start in the midfield. When I pass the ball to you, your job is to pass it with one touch at a 90-degree angle. Since you'll be facing me and not the opponent's goal, which will trick the opponent, the pass should go to the area behind Aiden. Taylor, as soon as you see the ball coming to Michael, you should sprint into that area to receive the pass."
(The tactic's representative image is in the comment of this paragraph)
"The name of this tactic is L-shaped attack", Kay told the kids about the name that he had just come up with.
They took their positions.
Kay passed the ball to Michael, who immediately attempted a one-touch pass, but it went too high and far from the intended spot.
Taylor sprinted but couldn't reach it.
"Alright, not bad for a first try," Kay encouraged. "Michael, try to keep the pass lower and more controlled. Taylor, keep an eye on the ball and anticipate the pass."
They repeated the drill.
However, Michael's passes continued to miss the mark, either going too far or not at the right angle.
Each attempt brought a new challenge, testing their patience and coordination.
After an hour, Kay could see the boys starting to get frustrated.
"Remember, this is a new tactic. It's okay to make mistakes. Focus on your technique and communication. We'll get it."
The boys nodded and returned to their positions, more determined.
They continued practicing, adjusting their movements and refining their timing.
Slowly, Michael's passes began to improve, getting closer to the target area.
After two hours of intense practice, they finally succeeded.
Kay passed the ball to Michael, who delivered a perfect one-touch pass into the space behind Aiden.
Taylor sprinted into the area, controlled the ball, and simulated an attacking move.
"Yes! That's it!" Kay shouted, beaming with pride. "Great job, guys. That's exactly what we need."
The boys cheered, their confidence restored.
They had finally executed the drill successfully, proving their hard work was paying off.
Kay looked at his watch. "Alright, we have to stop here. We've got a big match tomorrow, so get some rest and make sure to eat well tonight. Remember, this drill could be our secret weapon."
The next day, Kay woke up very early, brimming with excitement. He carefully put on his artificial leg, as his doctor recommended he remove it when he slept. After taking his breakfast, he prepared himself for the day ahead. His parents were in the kitchen, sipping their morning coffee.
"Morning, Mom, and Dad," Kay greeted them, grabbing an apple to munch on the way.
"Morning, Kay," his mom replied, smiling. "Are you ready for the big day?"
Kay nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I'm really excited. The match is at four o'clock this afternoon."
"We're so proud of you," his dad said, giving him an encouraging smile. "Where's the stadium?"
"It's at the Giants academy," Kay replied. "I have to go there early and take the academy's bus. Sorry, I can't go with you guys."
"That's okay, honey," his mom said, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. "We'll be there cheering you on. Just text us the details."
"Will do," Kay assured them. "I should get going now. See you at the match!"
"Good luck, son," his dad said as Kay headed out the door.
Kay arrived at the academy to find it quiet and empty. He waited, and after half an hour, Ramirez showed up.
"Morning, Kay," Ramirez greeted. "You're early."
"Morning, Mr. Ramirez," Kay replied. "I couldn't sleep. Too excited about the match."
With a laugh, Ramirez said. "Because it's your first match; I recall being overly excited for my first match as well."
"I can't imagine that," said Kay with a smile.
Ramirez continued with a serious expression, "Kay, I need to talk to you before everyone arrives."
Kay watched him, waiting for him to say more.
See you in the next chapter ...
- - -Author's note: - - -
Hey everyone!
I know the pace of the story is a bit slow, but that's because it's Kay's first match as a manager.
The next match will move faster.
Did you like the idea of including representative images of the tactics used by Kay? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Also, I'd love to hear your opinions about the name I chose for this tactic.
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