NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Ronaldo Step-over
"Are you sure?" Zax asked mechanically, his voice devoid of emotion.
Yang Yang nodded heavily, determination etched on his face. "Yes, I'm sure."
Zax didn't press further. Instead, he observed as the starlights and shadows surrounding the court began to dim, focusing and converging on a single figure. All the brilliance of the training ground was drawn toward one player, making him the most dazzling presence on the pitch—Ronaldo.
Ronaldo's step-over.
This was the skill Yang Yang had chosen after much careful consideration.
At this point in his development, Yang Yang recognized that his speed was his greatest asset. He could sprint 100 meters in about eleven seconds, a time that could potentially drop to ten seconds or less with the right professional training. He knew that maximizing this advantage was crucial.
However, anyone who has played football knows that maintaining technical precision while running at high speed is extremely challenging. When a player is moving quickly, controlling the ball becomes significantly more difficult, and the speed naturally drops as a result. The challenge is even greater when under pressure or when fatigue sets in, as physical exertion can further diminish control.
Yang Yang chose Ronaldo's step-over because it encapsulated everything he needed: a high-speed breakthrough, exceptional dribbling skills, quick changes of direction, and sudden bursts of acceleration. All of these attributes aligned perfectly with Yang Yang's natural style of play.
He had considered other star skills as well. Henry's finishing, for example, was another technique that suited Yang Yang's preference for speed and agility. Henry, the Arsenal legend, was known for starting on the left, using his pace to beat defenders, and then finishing with a precise shot using the inside of his foot. However, Henry's finishing was often limited by the positioning on the pitch, requiring specific circumstances to be most effective.
Van Basten's finishing was also incredibly practical, but Yang Yang knew he wasn't the team's main striker. He wasn't going to have many opportunities close to goal, and focusing on such a skill might limit his effectiveness in other areas of the pitch.
After weighing all these options, Yang Yang concluded that Ronaldo's step-over was the most suitable skill for his current needs.
As he made his decision, Ronaldo's figure became almost blindingly bright. The light surrounding him seemed to explode and shoot directly toward Yang Yang, hitting him square in the forehead.
In that instant, Yang Yang experienced a sudden rush of understanding. The movements of Ronaldo's high-speed step-over played out clearly in his mind, not just as a series of steps but as a complete biomechanical process. He felt the muscular engagement required for each movement, the rhythm shifts between acceleration and deceleration, the precise timing of each body feint. It was as if his body had been imprinted with the exact blueprint needed to perform like Ronaldo. In that moment, Yang Yang fully realized the miracle that the Dream Training System represented.
When Yang Yang opened his eyes again, he was back on the training ground. A defensive player stood in front of him, a black-and-white ball at his feet. It was time for his special training session.
"Considering the limited time we have, I suggest you focus on practicing Ronaldo's step-over, body feints, and quick changes of direction," Zax advised.
"Step-over?" Yang Yang echoed, a bit surprised. After all, this was Ronaldo's signature move.
"Ronaldo's skill set requires explosive acceleration, balance, and exceptional flexibility," Zax continued. "To effectively replicate this, you'll need to develop the ability to change direction at high speed, master feints and body shifts, and make subtle touches to throw defenders off balance. However, these movements also place a significant strain on the body, particularly on the knees. We'll need to pay close attention to your body mechanics during training to avoid injury."
Zax had wisely adjusted Ronaldo's skill set to be more suitable for Yang Yang. While the original move demanded a high level of physical attributes—speed, strength, and agility—Zax's modifications included more emphasis on feints and body shifts. This approach allowed Yang Yang to rely less on pure physicality and more on technique, which was crucial for his development. In addition, Zax recommended further agility and plyometric training to strengthen Yang Yang's core and lower body, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Yang Yang, eager to test out his newly acquired skills, nodded. "I'm ready."
"The defender in front of you is set to the average level of the Dutch fourth division," Zax explained. "This should be similar to the defenders you'll face tomorrow. If you can master this move against them, it'll be a good indication of your progress."
Yang Yang focused on the defender standing about 20 meters away. He reviewed in his mind what he had just learned, visualizing Ronaldo's step-over and body feints in action. Taking a deep breath, he nudged the ball forward and sprinted after it at full speed. He quickly closed the distance to the defender and attempted to execute a step-over, mimicking what he had seen Ronaldo do. However, just as he was about to complete the move, the defender stepped in with perfect timing, knocking the ball away and sending Yang Yang tumbling to the ground with a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge.
Yang Yang was left lying on the turf, his body aching and his mind reeling. He had tried to replicate Ronaldo's move with all the speed and precision he could muster, but the defender had read him like a book, dispossessing him with ease.
Although Yang Yang had improved his basic skills through weeks of special training, he realized that he was still far from being able to use them effectively against a live opponent. The harsh reality hit him—despite his speed, his control and technique were still lacking compared to players like Henk Dimer. And against a defender from the Dutch fourth division, he couldn't even complete a move. Was the gap really that large?
"Do you know what your problem is?" Zax asked, his tone cool and clinical.
Yang Yang shook his head, rising slowly to his feet. The failure had shaken him, grounding him in the reality of his situation.
"Then try again," Zax instructed.
Yang Yang repositioned himself 20 meters away from the defender, determined to figure out what had gone wrong. This time, he carefully analyzed Ronaldo's step-over, slowing down each movement in his mind and scrutinizing every detail. He noticed that Ronaldo's speed remained steady in the initial phase of the move, with each step being almost identical in length. As Ronaldo approached the defender, however, he made a noticeable shift in speed, either increasing or decreasing his pace depending on the situation. This subtle change in rhythm was key to the move's effectiveness.
"Do you want to try again?" Zax asked.
"Yes, let's go," Yang Yang replied, steeling himself.
Yang Yang fixed his gaze on the defender and sprinted forward, trying to destabilize his opponent's rhythm just as Ronaldo had done. He attempted a body feint, shifting his right shoulder as if to cut to the right. But before he could complete the move, the defender closed the distance and intercepted the ball with a well-timed tackle. Once again, Yang Yang found himself unable to execute the step-over successfully.
"What's happening?" Yang Yang asked, his frustration palpable.
"As I said, it's easy to learn the basics, but hard to apply them in practice," Zax reminded him. "And this is just training. In a real match, the challenges will be even greater."
Yang Yang exhaled heavily, beginning to grasp the truth of Zax's words. The Dream Training System was indeed a miracle, but it wasn't a shortcut to instant greatness. It was a tool, a means to an end, and it required time, effort, and patience to unlock its full potential.
"Let Ronaldo show you again," Zax suggested.
With that, Ronaldo reappeared on the training pitch. Yang Yang watched closely as Ronaldo took control of the ball and dribbled toward the defender. His initial speed was controlled and steady, just as Yang Yang had observed before. As Ronaldo approached, he performed several quick step-overs, feinting to the right before accelerating to the left. The defender was left helpless, outmaneuvered by Ronaldo's precise and fluid movements.
Ronaldo repeated the move several times, each with the same effortless grace, leaving the defender stranded every time.
"I've adjusted Ronaldo's level to match that of a Dutch fourth division player," Zax explained. "His speed and acceleration are similar to yours, but as you can see, the effectiveness of the move is still vastly different."
Yang Yang was genuinely astonished. The same set of movements, the same technique, yet the results were worlds apart when performed by Ronaldo.
"Now it's your turn to defend and see it from the other side," Zax suggested.
Ronaldo, with the ball at his feet, began advancing toward Yang Yang, who was now in the defender's position. Yang Yang braced himself, determined to stop the move this time. He knew what was coming, but as Ronaldo neared, everything changed. Ronaldo's speed increased, and his step-overs became a blur. Yang Yang tried to anticipate the move, but Ronaldo's right shoulder dropped, his head shifted slightly, and in an instant, he was gone—darting left and leaving Yang Yang behind.
Yang Yang was left standing, utterly beaten. The move was so clean, so precise, that he couldn't even react in time. There was no physical contact, no battle for the ball—Ronaldo had simply outmaneuvered him.
Yang Yang stood there, stunned. How could the same move feel so different when he was on the receiving end? Was Ronaldo's power truly that overwhelming? Or was it something else?
Zax's voice cut through his thoughts. "Look
closely."
The scene changed, and a new image appeared before Yang Yang: a set of footprints, two rows of four prints each. "The top set is yours, the bottom is Ronaldo's. The football marks indicate the position of the ball during each step. Do you notice anything?"
Yang Yang examined the footprints carefully. His own prints were erratic, with inconsistent spacing and uneven steps. His first touch on the ball had been too strong, forcing him to take large, unbalanced strides just to keep up. The marks were scattered, reflecting the lack of control and precision.
But Ronaldo's footprints were different. The spacing between each step was almost identical, each one measured and consistent. His initial steps were calculated, and as he approached the defender, the spacing between his strides adjusted perfectly, allowing him to maintain control and execute his feints with precision.
"The same series of actions, but if you let Ronaldo try it again a hundred times, the distance between each step and the timing of each touch would remain almost unchanged," Zax explained. "This is the rhythm that suits Ronaldo best."
Zax then posed a question that made Yang Yang reflect deeply. "Why, despite knowing that Ronaldo was feinting to the right, did you still fall for it?"
Yang Yang thought hard. He knew that the first move was a feint, but why had he been fooled?
Zax provided the answer. "Because you were fooled by your instincts."
The truth dawned on Yang Yang. Ronaldo's movements were not just about physical speed or technique; they were about rhythm and timing, designed to exploit the natural instincts of a defender. His ability to manipulate those instincts, to create just enough doubt, was what made his step-over so devastatingly effective.
Yang Yang realized that mastering this skill would require more than just physical training. He would need to develop a deeper understanding of the game, of the subtle cues and rhythms that could make or break a move. This was just the beginning of his journey, and he knew that if he wanted to reach Ronaldo's level, he would have to work harder, think smarter, and learn to control not just his body, but his mind as well.