Chapter 9: Off-Ball Skills

Shouts of reprimand echoed ceaselessly over the training ground in the system’s virtual space.

The one berating Dai Zhiwei, of course, was none other than Raisei Zheping, the instructor for the system skill he had previously chosen. Each scolding marked yet another mistake Dai Zhiwei made during training.

The skill Dai Zhiwei selected was Raisei Zheping’s “Off-the-ball Forward,” and besides the system’s direct infusion of Raisei Zheping’s instinct for off-the-ball runs, it also provided Dai Zhiwei with Zheping’s personal guidance whenever he entered the dream world.

Raisei Zheping was an early character in “Captain Tsubasa,” once a member of the Shutetsu Three Musketeers—a classic forward, his abilities were merely average on the domestic level, but he was a key contributor to Shutetsu Middle School’s three consecutive championships.

Mediocre as his overall talents were, Raisei Zheping never made it to the top ranks in “Captain Tsubasa,” and as the story progressed, he barely qualified as a background character. However, when it came to off-the-ball movement and goal-scoring instincts in the box, Zheping, known as Shutetsu’s scoring specialist, was truly first-rate.

Of course, the Captain Tsubasa system boasted players whose off-the-ball movement and goal sense far surpassed Raisei Zheping’s, but the problem was that Dai Zhiwei didn’t have enough points. Within the 15-30 point range, Zheping’s abilities in these two aspects were already top-tier.

Raisei Zheping was the kind of forward you could never afford to ignore—give him even a fleeting opportunity, and he could turn it into a goal.

A sprite-like striker, his elusive runs, tireless energy, and uncanny poaching sense made him a constant threat. Though his goals sometimes seemed plain, that was precisely the essence of Raisei Zheping!

“Wrong, wrong, Dawei! You shouldn’t run like that,” Raisei Zheping scolded, clearly displeased with Dai Zhiwei’s recent attempt at receiving the ball in the box.

“Look, here you keep pressing forward. The opposing center back will definitely stick to you, since his job is to contain you and prevent you from easily getting a shot in the box. So what’s the point of running like that? Unless you’re trying to create space for a teammate behind you.”

Zheping frowned, continuing, “Are you aiming to be a tactical forward, like Gao Lin, or do you want to become a prolific scorer? Right now, you look like a wooden post, just standing in the box!”

“Uh, I just wanted to attack the near post…” Dai Zhiwei tried to explain.

“But in reality, your movement is terrible! And your reaction is just baffling! Your teammates can’t always deliver the ball perfectly to your head—you have to realize that wide players with pinpoint crossing ability, like Beckham, are rare, and in a game, how many chances will you really get to adjust? Here’s what you should do…” With that, Raisei Zheping stepped in to demonstrate.

He signaled for the training to restart, took Dai Zhiwei’s place, and made a run toward the near post.

But just as Dai Zhiwei thought he was going for the same near-post attack, Zheping suddenly stopped short, pivoted, and darted toward the far side of the goal.

With that sudden move, he shook off the defender marking him and opened up a gaping space for his teammate to deliver a pass.

At that moment, the wide player sent the ball in—not a perfect cross, landing awkwardly around Zheping’s waist—but Zheping leaned back, twisted his body, and stabbed at the ball with his foot. The ball sailed inevitably, almost meaningfully, into the net…

Dai Zhiwei’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “Wow, even a supporting character has killer moves!”

Raisei Zheping strode out from the goalmouth and said, “That’s what I mean by off-the-ball running and adjustment in the box! You still have much to learn.”

In his previous life, Dai Zhiwei didn’t know much about off-the-ball movement in football, but he was well aware of its importance in basketball. For example, in the NBA, Curry was a master of such movement.

Why was it that Curry’s three-pointers were so rarely blocked? Aside from his lightning-quick release and unpredictable shot selection, his off-the-ball movement was a major reason.

After less than two days of training with Raisei Zheping, Dai Zhiwei’s own positioning and ability to adjust to passes in the box had improved dramatically.

Listening to Raisei Zheping’s patient explanations, Dai Zhiwei felt that his choice of instructor this time was truly… outstanding!

With such a remarkable teacher—rich in theoretical knowledge and possessing formidable practical skills, able to demonstrate on the spot and share his own experience—how could he not improve? If he still failed to make progress, it would mean he was simply not cut out to be a striker, and would have to settle for being a tactical forward or a pass-first winger.

“In short, the technique of receiving the ball is crucial. Apart from adjusting to incoming passes, off-the-ball movement is an essential quality for a forward. The ability to read the opposing defense allows you to find space effortlessly.”

“Let me show you an example of off-the-ball running,” Raisei Zheping said.

The greatest advantage of apprenticing under a player was witnessing legendary stars demonstrate their skills firsthand.

Football was a game where demonstration far outweighed explanation. If the teacher couldn't show you how, no amount of mental effort would help you grasp it.

In the system’s virtual space, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao was attacking, replaying the match against Chongqing Lifan.

Standing in as the center forward was Raisei Zheping, taking Dai Zhiwei’s place from the previous match. He was constantly shadowed by Chongqing Lifan’s central defender, Sun Jihai, and seemed to have no opportunity to shoot.

But just as Goulart received a pass from midfield, Raisei Zheping suddenly darted toward the wing, moving in Goulart’s direction, making himself available for a pass.

Sun Jihai followed, as any competent defender should—within the thirty-meter zone, a forward must never be allowed to move freely or receive a pass from Goulart unchallenged.

But unexpectedly, Zheping suddenly stopped and pivoted, sprinting back into the box at just the right moment as Goulart sent in the cross!

Chongqing Lifan’s other center back, Lail, noticed Zheping running past him, tried to turn and follow, but his sluggish turning speed left him hopelessly behind—Zheping had slipped his marker with ease.

Having shaken off Lail, Raisei Zheping found himself in open space for a shot.

For a forward of his caliber, what came next was routine.

He received the pass on the run, controlled the ball with his left foot, and struck it cleanly with his right—sending the ball straight into the net.

Raisei Zheping walked over to Dai Zhiwei with a smile. “Did you get a good look? Last match, you were marked just like that, unable to break free. You still have a long way to go!”

With his hands on his hips, Dai Zhiwei had no choice but to nod in acknowledgment.

“A forward will get chances in a match—some are created for you by your teammates’ off-the-ball movement, others you must create yourself through your own runs. When your teammates open up space for you, you must use your own movement to find those gaps.”

Raisei Zheping continued, “But this takes time. Remember, it took me years to master this, but the system has already infused you with my experience. With my instruction, I reckon you’ll be able to grasp it fully in a month or two.”

“All right, let’s start training!” Dai Zhiwei shouted, brimming with determination.

…

“Hello, viewers! Welcome to join me in watching the third round of the 2015 AFC Champions League group stage, brought to you by Huaxia Sports Channel. Tonight’s match features Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao versus Kashima Antlers. I’m Liu Jiayuan!” The familiar voice of Liu Jiayuan, the renowned commentator from Sky Sports, once again filled the broadcast.

“Hello everyone, I’m Li Xin!” said his co-commentator, Li Xin.

“In the first two rounds of the group stage, Evergrande notched up two straight wins. The new Chinese Super League season also sees them with two consecutive victories. Kashima Antlers, by contrast, have had a rocky start—four straight losses between the Champions League group stage and the first two rounds of the J League. Goulart and Elkeson lead the attack for Evergrande, while Kashima’s midfield is marshaled by veterans like Mitsuo Ogasawara and the young international Gaku Shibasaki,” said Liu Jiayuan, glancing at his notes and reciting into the camera.

Before the players took to the pitch, the two commentators offered their customary pre-match analysis.

A sudden, thunderous cheer erupted from the stands.

The two commentators quickly broke off their analysis and looked toward the field. “All right, both teams are coming out—let’s take a look at tonight’s starting lineups—”

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Li Shuai
Defenders: Rong Hao, Feng Xiaoting, Kim Young-Gwon, Mei Fang
Midfielders: Zheng Zhi, Huang Bowen, Zhao Xuri
Forwards: Goulart, Elkeson, Gao Lin

Kashima Antlers (4-5-1):

Goalkeeper: Zeng Duanzhun
Defenders: Daigo Nishi, Gen Shoji, Hwang Seok-ho, Shuto Yamamoto
Midfielders: Gaku Shibasaki, Mitsuo Ogasawara, Yasushi Endo, Mu Kanazaki, Shoma Doi
Forward: Hiroyuki Takasaki

The clash between these two sides is about to begin!