The sun was higher in the sky by late morning, casting lengthy shadows over the field. It was time for the serious work now that the warm-up was complete. Coach Thompson stood in the center circle, his whistle resting lightly between his fingers.
"We start with the basics," he announced, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs. "Fitness. Technique. Mentality. Show me what you've got."
A ripple of tension moved through the group. The energy of tryouts had shifted—this was where players would start to separate themselves.
Endurance and Agility
First up: an endurance test. Sprints, cone weaves, ladder drills—all back to back with no breaks. Within minutes, players were gasping for air, sweat beading on their brows.
Marco, though, thrived. Months of training had reshaped him, and it showed. His strides were strong, his breathing steady, while others around him started to slow. By the final lap, only a handful of players were keeping up. He was one of them.
"Damn," Alex panted, hands on his knees. "You've been holding out on me."
Marco just grinned, barely out of breath. He wasn't here to show off—he was here to prove something.
Passing and Ball Control
Next came technical drills. Passing, first touches, and controlling lofted balls—every movement had to be sharp and precise.
Alex quickly made an impression. His passes were crisp, perfectly weighted whether it was a quick one-two or a long, curling switch across the field. Even Coach Thompson gave a small nod of approval.
Marco held his own, his control steady, his movements efficient. But the one who really turned heads was Kai Patel.
When he had the ball, it was magic. He danced through defenders, using feints and sharp cuts to glide past them like they weren't even there. Even David—the flashy striker with a chip on his shoulder—muttered an impressed, "Not bad."
But as soon as the drills turned physical, Kai's struggle became clear. Defenders easily muscled him off the ball, and every shoulder check sent him stumbling. He bit down his frustration, dusted himself off, and got right back into it.
Goalkeeping Reflexes
On the far end of the field, the goalkeepers faced their own challenge. One shot after another came at them, testing their reflexes and ability to stay calm under pressure.
Miguel Ramirez was a force. He reacted fast, his positioning on point, making saves that had strikers shaking their heads. But Coach Thompson wasn't just watching his strengths—he was searching for weak spots.
And he found one.
Low shots to Miguel's left made him hesitate, just for a split second. That hesitation was enough for the ball to slip past him more often than not.
"Trust the dive," Coach said, arms crossed. "Your instincts are good. Don't second-guess yourself."
Miguel nodded, jaw clenched. No excuses—just determination.
Coach's Watchful Eye
As the session continued, Coach Thompson moved through the groups, studying every player. He saw who thrived, who struggled, and—most importantly—who had the mentality to keep pushing.
By the time the morning drills ended, exhaustion was written across every face. But this was just the beginning. The real test? That was coming in the afternoon.
Marco scanned the field, taking in the talent around him. Some players were faster. Some were stronger. Some had more experience.
But that didn't shake him.
He wasn't here to compare himself to anyone else.
He was here to compete. And he was ready.