Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 4

The spring when Ren was promoted to the U-15 team (his first year of junior high school), he was shocked at his first intra-team red-white game.

“So tiny…”

The words muttered as they passed each other were more of a “fact check” than malicious.

Most of the players around me are already over 170cm tall.

Ren is still only 158cm tall and light, so she was knocked away many times when close to the ball.

But what was even more difficult was that my ideas weren’t getting across.

–If you release it at this time, it will come out.

–If you narrow it down here, your opponent will abandon the center.

A pass that would have worked in elementary school doesn’t reach the feet of a teammate. Reactions are off.

The number of “images that cannot be shared” is increasing.

“This guy, I don’t know what he wants to do.”

“Again, you’re aiming for something difficult…”

“It’s faster to attack with a dribble.”

I can see it in my head, but I can’t convey it.

Having a high soccer IQ alone is not enough to get ahead in the youth league.

Ren decided to change his body.

They do core training before morning practice, eat a meal based on nutritional advice during their lunch break, and do independent running and stretching exercises after school.

I consulted with my coach and thoroughly corrected my sprinting form, and I was able to participate in the U-18 training sessions twice a week.

At first, I couldn’t keep up with the speed of the U-18 seniors.

A dull, inconspicuous everyday life.

But Ren knew that to make the most of his “judgment,” he needed a “body that could move.”

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A few months later, in the middle of the U-15 League

Ren was named in the starting lineup as an attacking midfielder that day.

Ten minutes into the game, a through pass was made behind the opposing defender, and one of our team’s forwards ran towards it.

The pass went through because Ren made the decision “0.3 seconds earlier” and deliberately took a glance before passing the ball.

Running ability, physical strength, stamina. Ren has improved a level in all areas, and is finally able to share his perspective with his teammates.

“Nice one, Ren!” “That was a perfect pass!”

I felt like it was the first time someone had appreciated me in words.

————————————————————————————————–

After the match, one of the U-18 coaches approached Ren.

“What’s changed about you?”

Ren laughed softly.

“…My body. But more than that, it might be the way I communicate.”

Ren is not only good at passing, but also at his eye line, body direction, and running speed.

He used everything he had to continue to provide “hints that would help his allies notice.”

“It’s interesting. Try accompanying the U-18 team to summer training camp.”

That day, Ren’s stride became a little bit longer.