Chapter 9 The Training Begins

Thijs stood on the grass, the sun shining over the white and blue of RC Huissen shirts around him. Boys were kicking balls to each other, laughing and talking in small groups.

He glanced at the cones lined up on the field.

First real training, he thought. Let's see what it's like.

Bram was working the ball back and forth under his feet. Jelle knelt down to tighten his shoelaces. A few others were trading jokes about cartoons and weekend plans.

Thijs stood calm, taking it all in. He felt eager more than nervous.

I've done this before. I just have to show what I can do.

Coach Erik's voice rang out. "Alright, boys! Gather round!"

Thijs stepped closer, joining the half-circle forming around the coach.

"Today we'll keep it simple," Coach Erik said. "Dribbling, passing, and a game at the end. Keep your heads up and have fun."

A faint blue glow flickered at the edge of Thijs's vision.

> [New Mission: Complete your first training session at RC Huissen.]

Thijs blinked, a small smile playing on his lips.

Let's get started.

"First up," Coach Erik said, clapping his hands, "a couple of laps around the pitch. Light jog."

Thijs started jogging alongside Bram and Jelle. The sun felt warm, and the ground was firm under his new boots.

"You any good?" Bram asked with a grin.

Thijs shrugged, a hint of a smile. "I'm okay."

"Bet you are," Bram said, elbowing him lightly.

They finished two laps before Coach Erik blew his whistle. "Grab a drink, boys. Dribbling drills are next!"

Thijs pulled his water bottle from his bag, taking a quick sip. He looked out at the cones and felt a flicker of anticipation.

Time to show them what I've got.

Thijs wiped sweat from his forehead as he took another sip from his bottle. The sun was higher now, making the air shimmer over the grass. He set his bottle down and jogged back toward the cones where Coach Erik was already calling the boys together.

"Alright, listen up, team!" Coach Erik said, raising his voice above the chatter. "We're starting with dribbling. Quick touches, keep your eyes up. This isn't a race. It's about control."

Thijs bounced lightly on his feet. He felt his pulse quicken—not from nerves, but from anticipation.

A soft blue glow flickered at the edge of his vision.

> [Mission Update: Complete your first training session at RC Huissen.]

[Bonus: Impress your coach or teammates (+5% progress).]

A small grin tugged at his lips.

Challenge accepted.

Coach Erik gestured to the cones. "Bram, you're up first!"

Bram started dribbling through the zig-zag course. His touches were a bit heavy, the ball knocking against the cones once or twice. He reached the end and turned back, cheeks red but grinning.

"Good, Bram!" Coach Erik called. "A little softer on those touches next time."

"Thijs, you're next!"

Thijs took his place at the start. He bent his knees slightly, remembering to keep the ball close. He nudged it left, then right, weaving between the cones. Each touch was soft, controlled.

About halfway through, he glanced up briefly to check where the next cone was without losing control of the ball. At the end, he turned and dribbled back smoothly, finishing the run without touching a single cone.

A few boys whistled under their breath. Coach Erik raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face.

"Excellent, Thijs! That's exactly how you do it."

Thijs gave a modest shrug, trying not to smile too widely.

"Show-off," Bram teased, bumping his shoulder.

Thijs chuckled. "Just practiced a lot."

One by one, the other boys took turns. Some managed well, others lost the ball and had to chase it down while the group laughed in good fun.

After everyone finished, Coach Erik called them back in. "Alright, circle up. Now we're going to work on passing."

He split the boys into pairs. Thijs found himself paired with Jelle, who seemed a bit shy but smiled nervously as they stood opposite each other about five meters apart.

"Keep it simple," Coach Erik said. "Pass with the inside of your foot. No toe-pokes, alright?"

Thijs gently rolled the ball toward Jelle, hitting it with the inside of his foot so it traveled smoothly across the grass. Jelle stopped it with his sole and tried to pass it back. His touch was slightly off, sending the ball veering left.

"Sorry!" Jelle blurted, face flushing pink.

"It's okay," Thijs said calmly. "Let's try again."

They kept passing back and forth. Jelle's passes slowly got straighter, though sometimes too soft or too strong. Thijs adjusted each time, staying patient.

Coach Erik came by, hands on his hips. "Good, Thijs. Help Jelle out. Talk to him when you pass. Like: 'Here!' or 'One more!'"

Thijs nodded. "Okay."

He raised his voice a little. "Here, Jelle!"

Jelle grinned and passed it back.

Soon, laughter bubbled around the field as kids called out each other's names while passing. Thijs felt warmth spread through his chest.

This is what I missed, he thought. Being part of a team.

Coach Erik clapped. "Switch partners!"

Thijs ended up with Bram this time. Bram immediately tried to whip the ball at Thijs with far too much force. Thijs stepped into the ball cleanly, cushioning the touch so it stopped perfectly at his feet.

"Whoa!" Bram exclaimed. "How'd you do that?"

Thijs just grinned. "Just practice."

Bram's grin widened. "My dad says I only practice video games."

Thijs laughed. "That's different kind of training."

Across the field, two boys accidentally kicked their ball into the cones, scattering them everywhere. Everyone burst out laughing. Even Coach Erik shook his head, chuckling.

"Alright, alright!" he called over the noise. "Let's tidy up those cones and get ready for shooting practice!"

A ripple of excitement went through the group. Shooting was everyone's favourite.

"Form a line at the edge of the box!" Coach Erik shouted. "One at a time, take a shot at the goal. Aim for the corners!"

Jelle stepped up first. He took a short run-up and scuffed his shot, sending the ball rolling slowly into the keeper's hands. A few kids giggled, but Coach Erik gave him a thumbs-up. "Good try, Jelle! Keep practicing."

Bram went next, blasting the ball wide over the goal. "Oops!"

"Less power, more accuracy!" Coach Erik called.

Then it was Thijs's turn. He placed the ball carefully, took three steps back, and focused on the lower right corner.

He struck the ball with the inside of his foot, firm but controlled. It zipped low across the grass and smacked into the side netting.

A few boys clapped. Coach Erik gave a small nod of approval.

"Very good, Thijs. Nice and precise."

Thijs felt heat rise in his cheeks but also a quiet glow inside.

This is where I belong.

The rest of the boys took their turns. Some shots flew over the fence. Others dribbled weakly toward the goal. The group cheered and laughed for each attempt, even the misses.

Coach Erik gathered them all together afterward, wiping sweat from his brow. "Alright, boys. One last thing — a short game. Split into two teams. Let's see what you've got."

Thijs felt his pulse pick up. A match — even a small one — was always his favourite part.

Time to really play.