The sun had barely risen over the horizon, casting a warm glow on the Seikan High football field. The air was cool, with a gentle breeze sweeping over the grass. It was the perfect day for hard training and Coach Himura was not one to waste it.
All club members, dressed in their training kits, were already gathered on the field. Their chatter faded into silence as Coach Himura stepped forward, clipboard in hand and whistle around his neck.
"Alright! Jog around the field 10 times. No cutting corners. Move!"
The team responded instantly. Masaki, Taira, Kojiro, Jito, and the rest started jogging, pacing themselves in rhythm. Some chatted as they ran, others remained quiet, focused.
"Masaki, stop pretending you're slow and get up here already," Kojiro called from the front, a sly grin tugging at his lips.
Masaki smirked, caught up without effort, and whispered, "Nah i'm scared I'll make you look like a snail."
Kojiro chuckled. "If I'm a snail, at least I'm a good-looking one."
Even Taira laughed. "A snail with your face would definitely go extinct."
The laughter helped lighten the run, and soon enough, the ten laps were done. Everyone gathered again at the center of the field. This time, Coach Himura was standing beside Captain Taro.
"There are a few drills you all need to do. First-years, I'm sure you've done some version of this before, but I want your seniors to demonstrate. Taro Misaki! You're up."
Taro stepped forward with a nod. His calm confidence inspired respect. Everyone moved aside to give him space.
Coach Himura raised the whistle, then blew sharply.
STRAIGHT CONE DRIBBLE DRILL
Ten cones stood in a straight line, each 1 meter apart. As soon as the whistle blew, Coach sent a high speed pass straight to Taro, who controlled the ball instantly.
Without hesitation, he began weaving through the cones with inside and outside of both feet, alternating smoothly with each step along with the ball. He moved with precision, his touches clean and sharp.
"See that control?" Taira said under his breath. "That's what we call rhythm."
Kojiro muttered, "You call it rhythm, I call it a dance. Taro is dating the ball."
Masaki added, "If he marries it, I hope the ceremony's after Interhigh."
Everyone laugh as Taro returned to the first cone at top speed after finishing the last one.
CIRCULAR CONE DRIBBLE DRILL
The cones now formed a wide circle with a radius of 7 meters. Taro started moving the ball around the circle, fast footwork on full display. His form was tight, his movement fluid — not a second wasted.
Taro completed two fast rotations and jogged back to the sideline.
ONE AGAINST TWO DRIBBLE DRILL
A new setup appeared — two narrow gates in front of the goal. Jito and a second defender stood guard at each.
"Let's see you break through this wall, Taro." Jito challenged, fists clenched.
Coach blew the whistle.
Taro made his move. He darted toward the first gate. The defender lunged, but Taro doing quick step-over sent him the wrong way. Then came Jito.
The collision of two powerful players created a tense moment. But Taro feinted left, then burst right — just enough to squeeze past. The team roared in excitement as he shot cleanly into the net.
"Still can't catch me, Jito!" Taro shouted.
Jito laughed. "That's just because I slipped on the grass. Don't get cocky."
CROSS AND FINISH
This time, Kojiro paired up with Taro himself. They decided their roles. Taro would cross; Kojiro would finish.
On the whistle, Taro sprinted down the flank, touched the ball forward, and delivered a low, curling cross into the box.
Kojiro read the ball perfectly. He charged in and slammed it with a right-footed volley that nearly tore the net.
"Alright!" Coach Himura said
He turned to the rest of the team. "You've seen the example. Now you all do it. No excuses!"
The players split into groups and began their drills. Taira paired with Masaki.
"You cross first," Masaki offered. "I'll show you what a real finish looks like."
Throughout the afternoon, drills continued. Sweat dripped. Muscles burned.
Coach Himura observed quietly.
Later, as the sun dipped low and the air began to cool, Coach finally called everyone back in.
"Good job for today, everyone. We'll continue this training every day until you first-years are solid with your technique. Go home, get rest. Tomorrow, we begin early again."
The team clapped in tired but satisfied unison.
As they walked off the field, Kojiro slung his arm around Masaki and Taira shoulder.
"Hey,… do you ever think about joining a comedy trio with me? I talk, and you kick people."
Masaki chuckled. "Sounds like a short-lived career. I'd retire on day one."
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(A/n: I think this is the best training for everyone who wants to improves footwork and will help players maintain the ball better even under pressure. Other than that, it will also help defender improve right. Of course, for shooting drill it will help players determine their run time accurately to arrive at their scoring position at the same time as the ball. Running time is the most important part of scoring goals consistently. Players need to be in a good scoring position to help their team score a goal.Try it everyone)