Speed demon

Jace Holloway had never been one to shy away from a challenge.

His first official training session had tested him in ways he hadn't expected. He had the speed. He had the hunger. But he was still raw and a beginner, too, but still making mistakes that seasoned footballers would never make.

But if there was one thing Jace knew how to do, it was improve.

And that meant working harder than anyone else.

The next morning, Jace arrived at school an hour early, but he was shocked because he saw Marcus already there, so he was wondering because Marcus was a latecomer.

The floodlights on the training pitch were still on, casting a dim glow over the damp grass.

His breath came out in misty puffs as he jogged toward the goal.

He wasn't alone.

Theo was also already there, doing defensive drills with a couple of other players. The centre-back glanced over as Jace set his bag down. "Didn't expect to see you guys this early."

Jace shrugged. "Need to work on my touch. My control's still sloppy."

Theo smirked. "Figured that out fast, huh?"

Jace rolled his eyes. "You got any advice, or are you just here to talk rubbish?"

Theo chuckled. "Fastest way to get better? Keep the ball close." He gestured toward the cones lined up on the pitch. "Dribble through those. Slowly. No sprinting. Just tight touches."

Jace nodded, grabbing a ball and setting up. His first few tries were rough—his touch too heavy, the ball bouncing awkwardly off his foot. But Theo watched closely, occasionally offering pointers.

"Don't just kick it forward. Feel the ball."

"Less power, more control."

Jace listened, adjusting each time. By the end of the session, he was still nowhere near perfect, but the ball wasn't getting away from him as much.

Theo gave him a nod of approval. "You keep putting in this work, you'll be dangerous."

Jace smirked. "Already am, mate."

Theo shook his head. "Not yet. But soon."

Later that afternoon, the full squad gathered again for another session. But this time, the training wasn't just about drills.

It was about winning battles.

"One-v-one duels," Coach Davies announced. "Attackers versus defenders. No time to hesitate. You get the ball, you beat your man. Defenders, don't let them past you."

Jace's stomach clenched. He knew this was where he would be tested the most. He had speed, but could he use it effectively?

His first opponent? Theo.

Jace exhaled. Great.

The coach blew the whistle. Marcus passed the ball to Jace, and immediately, Theo stepped forward with a serious face.

Jace tried to push the ball past him and sprint, but Theo anticipated it, blocking his path and winning the challenge effortlessly.

"Again," Coach Davies called out.

Jace received another pass. This time, he tried a quick turn—only for Theo to read his movement and strip the ball away before he could even take a step.

Jace clenched his fists.

Again.

And again.

Each time, Theo was just too strong, too smart.

Jace was starting to get frustrated. His instincts told him to sprint, to use his speed, but Theo never gave him the space to accelerate.

He needed another way.

On the next attempt, instead of trying to dribble straight past Theo, Jace did something different.

He feinted one way—then cut inside sharply, using his speed to create just half a yard of space.

It wasn't much. But it was enough.

With a quick flick, he pushed the ball forward and exploded past Theo, sprinting toward goal.

He heard Marcus laughing from the sideline. "There it is!"

Jace didn't even think. He shot low and hard, burying the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Coach Davies blew his whistle. "Much better, Holloway!"

Jace exhaled, hands on his knees.

Theo walked past him and smirked. "Finally figured it out, huh?"

Jace smirked back. "Took me long enough."

Theo clapped him on the shoulder. "Still plenty more to learn."

Jace knew he was right.

Later in the session, the team moved into small-sided matches. Jace was back in his usual winger role, and this time, he was determined to make an impact.

But speed wasn't enough here.

Jace quickly learned that defenders wouldn't just let him run. They bodied him, shoved him off balance, made him work for every inch of space.

At one point, a bigger defender sent him flying with a shoulder barge.

Jace hit the ground hard, biting back a curse.

Theo jogged past him and smirked. "Gotta toughen up, track star."

Jace glared. "I'm working on it."

He got up, dusting himself off.

Coach Davies called out from the sideline. "Holloway! You need to use your body better. You can't just rely on speed—you have to hold your ground!"

Jace exhaled. He hated feeling weak.

He had always been the fastest. But now, speed wasn't enough.

He needed strength.

He needed to be smart and also needed to trust his instincts because there was no time for thinking.

After practice, Jace sat on the grass, chugging his water bottle. His muscles ached, his body sore from all the challenges.

Marcus plopped down beside him. "Rough one, yeah?"

Jace groaned. "Football's brutal."

Marcus grinned. "Welcome to the real world, mate."

Jace exhaled. He knew what he needed to do.

His speed gave him an advantage, but if he wanted to truly compete, he had to get stronger, smarter, and sharper.

He wasn't just trying football anymore.

He was becoming a footballer.

And he was willing to do whatever it took to reign here also as a champion.