Delayed press
He paused, making sure he had everyone's attention.
"Let me ask you something. What's your first instinct when you're playing on the field and you see an empty space?"
"To pass the ball there," one of the players answered quickly.
"Exactly," Kay said with a nod. "That's your subconscious guiding you. It's natural to want to exploit open spaces. Now, imagine this: if we deliberately leave an empty space on the right side of the field, what do you think the opponent will do?"
"They'll pass the ball there," another player replied.
"Right, they'll pass it there because it seems like the safest option. But that's exactly what we want them to do. By leaving that space open, we're luring them into a trap. We're guiding them to play the ball where we want it to go, not where their manager, Busquets, wants it."
He could see the players beginning to understand, their expressions shifting from doubt to curiosity.
"And here's the key part, when the opponent passes the ball into that open space, our pressing players will already be a step ahead. Because we know where the ball is going to be played, we can move in quickly, close down the space, and win the ball back. It's like a chess game; you're predicting your opponent's move and setting up a counter before they even realize it."
The players were starting to nod, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
"I know this isn't easy, you're all under 16, and this is a complex tactic. But that's also why it can be so effective. Opponents your age won't expect something like this. They'll fall into the trap because they play on instincts, the same instincts that you have. If we can pull this off, we'll have a huge advantage."
He looked around the circle, seeing the determination in their eyes returning.
"I believe in you all. This will take practice, but I know we can do it. And when we do, Watford won't know what hit them."
With that, Kay clapped his hands and signaled for the players to return to their training positions.
Kay remarked that the players now are moving with more confidence, understanding the vision that Kay had explained to them.
The three days of intense training passed smoothly, and Kay was pleased with the progress his team had made.
The players had worked hard to understand and implement the complex tactic he had introduced.
Though they hadn't reached the level of mastery Kay had originally hoped for, he knew that they were doing remarkably well, considering their age and experience.
The foundations were solid, and the tactic was beginning to take shape.
On the morning of the fourth day, Kay gathered the players once again on the field. The players stood in a semi-circle, eager to hear what their manager had planned next.
"Great job these past three days, you've all put in great effort, and it's starting to show. I believe we can use this tactic effectively in our next match. But we're not done yet. I want to introduce you to another tactic today; one that's a bit different, but complete the other one."
The players leaned in, listening intently.
Kay explained, "This second tactic is high pressing, but it's not the usual kind. It's a delayed press. Here's how it works: instead of everyone pressing all at once, we'll press in stages, with a slight delay between each move."
He could see the players trying to visualize what he was describing, so he continued with more detail.
"For example, our right winger will press their left fullback first. Once that happens, our striker will press their left center back. Then, our left winger will press their right center back. These steps are made while the midfielders are blocking the pass path. This sequence creates a situation where their right fullback is left unmarked and free to receive the ball."
Kay continued, "By doing this, we're guiding them to play the ball where we want it; on their right wing, which is far from their most dangerous players on the left. Just like the first tactic, we're controlling the game by influencing where they pass the ball. It's another way to lead them into our trap."
One of the players raised his hand. "Manager, won't they figure out what we're doing?"
Kay smiled. "That's the beauty of it. Most teams don't expect a delayed press. It's not something they're used to facing, and because the pressure builds gradually, they'll likely panic and make rushed decisions. By the time they realize what's happening, we'll have already forced them into a position that benefits us."
He looked around at the young faces, seeing the determination and focus in their eyes.
"Remember, this isn't just about defending. It's about controlling the game. We're making them play our game, on our terms."
Kay clapped his hands together. "Now, let's practice this. It's going to take some time to get it right, but I know we can do it. Just like with the first tactic, we'll work on this until it becomes second nature."
The players broke into their positions, and Kay set them to work on the new drill.
The field was soon filled with the sound of running feet and shouted commands as the team practiced the delayed pressing, learning to time their movements and coordinate with each other.
During the training, Kay was fully engaged, moving along the sidelines as he observed his players executing the drills.
His voice rang out across the field, giving instructions, correcting mistakes, and offering encouragement.
But even as he focused on the team's overall performance, his mind was also occupied with something else.
From time to time, he checked the stats of some players using the system.
- - -
Player: Desmond
Pace: 44
Shooting: 45
Passing: 48
Dribbling: 44
Defending: 52
Physical: 56
- - -
- - -
Player: Riley
Pace: 50
Shooting: 48
Passing: 47
Dribbling: 50
Defending: 40
Physical: 44
- - -
He decided to check the stats of Desmond and Riley. First, he checked Desmond's stats.
The numbers appeared in front of him, and Kay's eyes widened slightly as he took them in.
Desmond's defensive stats were outstanding, showing his defensive abilities.
But what caught Kay's attention even more was Desmond's stamina. It was the highest among all the players of his age.
Kay watched Desmond for a moment as he sprinted across the field, effortlessly keeping up with the pace of the drill.
Kay couldn't help but be impressed. Desmond's stamina would be invaluable in the next match, especially against a team like Watford, where constant pressure and quick transitions would be crucial.
As Desmond completed another round of drills, Kay thought about his background.
Desmond was of African origin, and Kay wondered if that might be part of the reason behind his remarkable endurance.
But for sure, it wasn't just about genetics, though Desmond was also a hard worker, always pushing himself to go the extra mile during training. Kay admired that about him.
The days flew by, and now Kay found himself just two days away from the big match against Watford's youth team.
The excitement and tension were noticeable as the team approached the final stage of their preparations.
Kay gathered the players, "Alright, everyone, listen up," he began, his voice cutting through the noise. "Today's session is our last chance to get everything right before the match. I want you all to be focused and give it your best."
The players nodded, their attention locked on their manager. Kay continued, announcing the starting lineup.
See you in the next chapter...
- - -Author's note: - - -
Hey everyone!
Kay's just announced his tactics for the next match. Do you think he can pull off a victory against a strong manager like Busquets with these tactics? Let me know your thoughts!
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