The morning sun glared down on the field as Hiroshi and his team gathered for their first practice under Coach Ryan's full leadership. The air was charged with nervous anticipation; the team knew things were about to get serious.
"Alright, listen up!" Ryan called, his voice sharp and commanding. "If you think you've been working hard up until now, think again. Football isn't just about running plays—it's about discipline, fundamentals, and pushing through when you're ready to quit. From today, we train like a real team. That means no excuses, no shortcuts. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Coach!" the team shouted in unison, though their voices carried a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Ryan smirked. "Good. Now let's get to work."
The first drill of the day was footwork. Ryan had set up a series of cones in zigzag patterns, forcing the players to focus on quick, precise movements.
"Football is won in inches," Ryan explained as the players lined up. "You can have all the speed in the world, but if your footwork is sloppy, you'll trip over yourself or miss your mark. So, we're going to fix that."
Ryota was the first to step up. He sprinted through the cones, his feet moving quickly but lacking control. Halfway through, he stumbled, knocking over one of the cones.
"Stop!" Ryan called, blowing his whistle. "Ryota, you're rushing. Slow down and focus on staying balanced. It's not a race—this is about precision."
Ryota nodded, determined, and lined up to try again.
One by one, the team worked through the drill, each player improving with every attempt. By the time they finished, they were dripping with sweat but moving with noticeably sharper footwork.
Next came tackling drills. Ryan brought out a padded dummy, setting it up in the middle of the field.
"Tackling is about more than just brute strength," Ryan said, addressing the team. "It's about leverage, technique, and timing. Watch closely."
He demonstrated, lowering his body into a perfect form tackle, driving his shoulder into the dummy and wrapping his arms around it before planting it firmly into the ground.
"Got it?" Ryan asked, dusting off his hands.
"Yes, Coach!" the team replied.
Kenta was the first to step up, his competitive nature driving him to prove himself. He mimicked Ryan's form, tackling the dummy with impressive force.
"Not bad," Ryan said with a nod. "But keep your head up. You need to see what you're hitting."
As the team cycled through the drill, Hiroshi found himself struggling. He was smaller and less naturally aggressive than some of the others, and his first few attempts lacked the power needed to bring the dummy down.
"Come on, Hiroshi!" Kenta called, trying to encourage him.
Ryan walked over, crouching down to Hiroshi's level. "What's going on, kid?"
Hiroshi frowned, his frustration evident. "I'm just not strong enough."
Ryan shook his head. "Strength helps, but it's not everything. You've got to use your leverage—get low, drive through with your legs, and commit. Half-hearted tackles won't work. You've got to want it."
Hiroshi nodded, taking a deep breath before lining up again. This time, he lowered his stance, driving forward with everything he had. The dummy toppled over, and the team erupted in cheers.
"There you go!" Ryan said, clapping him on the back. "That's what I'm talking about."
The final part of practice was dedicated to conditioning. Ryan had the team running sprints, doing push-ups, and working through grueling circuits designed to push their limits.
"Football is a game of endurance," Ryan said as the players collapsed onto the grass after their last set of sprints. "You need to be able to give 100% on every play, no matter how tired you are. If you can outlast your opponent, you've already got an edge."
Despite their exhaustion, the team was beginning to see the benefits of Ryan's methods. They moved with more confidence, their skills sharper and more refined than ever before.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Ryan called the team into a huddle.
"You've all done good work today," he said, his tone serious but encouraging. "But this is just the beginning. If you want to win, you've got to show up like this every single day. No slacking, no excuses. You give me everything you've got, and I promise, you'll see the results."
Hiroshi looked around at his teammates, their faces tired but determined. For the first time, he felt like they were becoming more than just a group of kids playing football—they were becoming a real team.
As the team broke the huddle and began packing up, Hiroshi approached Ryan.
"Thanks for today," he said. "I think we needed this."
Ryan smiled. "You're welcome, but don't thank me yet. The real test is still ahead."
Hiroshi nodded, gripping his playbook tightly. With each passing day, they were getting closer to being ready for the rematch. And for the first time, Hiroshi believed they had what it took to win.