The System Makes Me a Player

"Hello, everyone!", said Rafael, taking off his cap and holding it in his hand

"This and the next few training sessions will also happen here on the field, but I want you to value every second, because next weekend — not this one, the next — we'll have a tournament to prepare us for the state phase. And if everything goes well...", his voice faltered a bit, but he recovered

"the national stage"

Murmurs rose among the players. Some widened their eyes; others looked at each other as if a little nervous.

"First of all", Rafael continued, with a firmer tone

"I want to make it clear that I haven't decided on the eleven starters yet. Much less the captain"

"Since the tournament is so close, I plan to start defining some names today. So I expect commitment, focus, and respect from everyone"

The boys nodded seriously.

"Start warming up. The cones are already in place, it's the same drill as last time. If you're new, stay out for now and just observe. You'll jump in once you get the rhythm"

He placed the whistle in his mouth and blew hard. The sound cut through the air, signaling the start of training.

Kelvin was still a bit distant, scanning the field... He remembered what had happened last year, but tried to ignore it. He observed the grass in detail, the cones' positions, even the sound of the net fluttering in the wind, everything seemed sharper.

Next to him, Ian was already bouncing in place, excited as always.

"Kelvin! Let's go! If you don't start moving now, it'll look like you don't even want to be a starter!", he said with a mischievous grin

"I'm going", replied Kelvin, snapping out of his thoughts

He lined up with the others. In the distance, Rafael walked along the sideline, observing and jotting things down in his clipboard. He didn't say a word, but his eyes spoke for him.

The warm-up began: zigzag runs, jumps, quick touches on the ground. Kelvin followed the rhythm.

After a few minutes, Rafael blew the whistle again.

"Alright. Now we'll split into three groups. One will work on finishing, another on defensive lines, and the third will do the passing circuit. I'll rotate you throughout the session. Goalkeepers, get in goal and switch out after every goal conceded"

Kelvin ended up in the finishing group. Ian too. And, to many people's surprise, Kazana was there as well.

The atmosphere between the three was tense in the first few seconds. Kazana didn't even glance at Kelvin. He just walked to his spot, grabbed a ball, and started bouncing it with his foot.

Rafael then gave the instructions.

"I want shots with both legs. Power, direction, and reading the play. It's not just about aiming at the goal — you need to understand the scenario, imagine the defender, the keeper. Show me I can trust you when it matters"

Kelvin took a deep breath. The first ball came. He controlled it with his left, pulled to the right, and fired into the corner. Goal.

The second time, he switched it up: controlled with his right, spun, and struck with his left. The keeper didn't even move.

Kazana quickly followed. His shots were also powerful. Precise. It was as if he was trying to prove something, maybe figure something out.

Rafael observed every move in silence. But his pen on the clipboard never stopped.

Time passed, and the training got more intense. With every shot, every pass, the blood ran hotter.

As the players went on with the drills, someone else arrived on the field.

"Hey, coach. Sorry I'm late, had a little issue", said the boy, setting his things down on the bench next to Rafael

"No problem, Dante. Head onto the field and join one of the drills. The guys will explain, or you can observe and jump in once you're ready"

The boy, with red hair and blue highlights, nodded and headed toward one of the groups.

Dante walked with light steps, but his gaze showed extreme confidence. As he approached the finishing group, several eyes turned to him. Some of the boys whispered among themselves, seemingly recognizing the striking hair. Ian leaned toward Kelvin discreetly.

"Hey... that's Dante. I know him. He knocked me out last year, in the state tournament"

Kelvin simply nodded, still focused on Kazana's movements.

Dante arrived, stopped near the shooting line, and watched the drills carefully. After a few minutes, when Rafael walked by, he asked:

"Can I jump in here?"

"Go ahead. Let's see what you've got", Rafael replied, dry but attentive

Dante took the first ball, set it up with his right foot, and blasted it with his left, straight into the top corner. The keeper didn't react. The second shot came seconds later: a quick feint, a sharp cut, and a low shot to the opposite corner. Another goal.

Ian let out a low whistle.

"Wow... he's better than I remember"

Kelvin, meanwhile, observed attentively.

Kazana, seeing Dante step in, turned up the intensity. He started hitting with more power, making the ball curve in ridiculous ways. It was like he was trying to prove he was still the best, and in some ways, he was succeeding.

Rafael was watching all three of them more closely than anyone else. His gaze went from Kelvin, to Kazana, to Dante. Each name already seemed to be forming in his mind.

Another round of shots. Kelvin received the ball from Ian, spun, and shot first-time with his weaker foot. Goal. But this time, the keeper got a touch. It still went in.

Kazana followed with a violent strike that the keeper could only watch.

Then Dante scored again, this time with an elegant chip after faking a powerful shot.

Rafael blew the whistle, ending that part of the training.

"Good job. This group, switch to the passing circuit. I want to see accuracy and control. Defense group, move to marking drills. Rotate. Stay sharp"

As the boys shifted to their new drills, Ian nudged Kelvin.

"So? Now you've got two rivals to worry about. Think you can handle it?"

Kelvin gave a half-smile, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"They're the ones who should be wondering that"

***

After about 45 minutes of drills, Rafael blew the whistle and asked the cones to be collected. The boys picked them up and brought them to the coach, who was waiting.

"Alright, everyone. Now we're doing a practice match. Eleven versus eleven"

He grabbed his clipboard and began calling out where each player would play. Kelvin didn't catch everyone's name, he only tuned in when he heard his own.

"Kelvin, I want you on the left wing. As striker..."

Kelvin quickly moved away from the group and headed to his position. When he looked to the side, he saw Ian was on his team too.

"Looks like it's us again!", Ian said, excited