"If the opponent still doesn't change their tactics on offense later, then we'll activate defensive strategy number two… "
Coach Cotton naturally saw that Medford had been consistently using the long and short ball tactics.
Taking advantage of the lull during the change of possession, he issued new instructions to his players, specifically targeting these tactics.
After his players took the field, Coach Cotton looked at George, who was calmly seated in Medford's resting area, and fell into deep thought.
The opponent clearly had a super player but hadn't used him yet.
This made him unable to fathom what the opposing coach's intentions were.
Later, when it was Medford's offensive turn again, Coach Cotton, after confirming that the opponent hadn't changed tactics, loudly shouted to his own players, "Execute defensive plan number two… Pay attention to your positioning… Mark your targets… "
Hearing the coach's command, the St. Mary's High players on defense immediately spread out their formation.
St. Mary's High's defensive plan number two was the birdcage control tactics, commonly known as man-to-man marking.
As both teams simultaneously spread out their formations, the only defensive opponent left in front of Mike was Michael.
"Your coach reacts quite fast; it seems my teammates are going to have a tough time now… " Mike, who had no special tactical requirements, still appeared very relaxed after realizing the situation was unfavorable for Medford.
He even had the leisure to chat with Michael opposite him.
Of course, a large part of his good mindset came from his confidence in his own strength.
Mike, possessing super-standard strength, had the confidence to guarantee that no matter the situation, he could lead the Medford Team to ultimate victory.
"You're not getting past me!"
Seemingly infected by Mike's attitude, Michael, who had been like a silent gourd the entire game, actually responded.
It was at this moment that Mike received a pass from his teammate.
As a mere transitional player in the long and short ball tactics, he first faked out Michael in front of him, then immediately relayed the football ball to his teammate ahead.
"Relax, I wasn't planning to break through you." Mike, having completed his relay task, looked at Michael, who was now sticking close to him again, and chuckled playfully.
However, facing his teasing, Michael opposite him stopped talking, and his marking attitude became even more serious.
Off-ball confrontation…
This situation usually occurs when contesting for crucial ball opportunities.
But Mike, who currently didn't have possession, didn't intend to engage in meaningless confrontation with Michael.
So, facing Michael's proactive intensity, he stepped back half a pace, then continued to "stroll" around midfield.
Long and short ball tactics vs birdcage control tactics.
Subsequently, in the two teams' conventional tactical contest, St. Mary's High, as a veteran strong team, seemed to have the upper hand.
The subsequent situation also proved this point.
By the end of the first quarter, St. Mary's High, which had been the first to change its tactical approach, had narrowly overtaken the score.
…
"Coach, do we need to change tactics later?" During the first quarter break, Aaron, seeing the team fall into a disadvantage, sought George's opinion.
In his opinion, it was time for Mike, the big weapon, to make his move.
"Wait a little longer; when it's time to change tactics, I'll remind you…" George rejected Aaron's suggestion.
How can one grow without experiencing hardship?
St. Mary's High was a rare opponent, and the current situation was a very good opportunity for the Medford Team to be honed.
"Mike, be ready. Later, we might need your strength…"
For the sake of team harmony, George had truly gone to great lengths; while honing the team, he hadn't forgotten to consider Mike's feelings.
After all, having ability but constantly being suppressed certainly wouldn't feel good.
"I'm fine on my end." Mike didn't show any abnormality.
In fact, in his opinion, the current situation wasn't that bad.
Yes, people with sufficient strength are just that confident.
And seeing Mike's calm expression, the other Medford players, realizing there was still a trump card unused in the team, had their nervous feelings relieved by more than half.
This could also be considered another role of a star player.
As long as he wasn't completely defeated, the team could rekindle its fighting spirit at any time.
"Alright, in the second quarter, we'll continue to use the long and short ball tactics…"
After the two-minute break, as the players were about to take the field, George once again confirmed the upcoming tactical arrangements for the offensive players.
After the second quarter began, as Medford's offensive group slowly adapted to the practical application of the long and short ball tactics, the score was inevitably continuously widened by the opponent.
Accompanied by the gradually noisy complaints from the spectators on the sidelines, by the end of the second quarter, Medford was a full ten points behind their opponent.
The overall situation looked very unfavorable for the Medford Team.
It's time to change tactics…
Before Aaron, who had come off the field, could speak, George said, "You played very well. Next, we'll use a dual-core tactic. Aaron, Mike, are you two okay?"
The goal of the tactical drill had been achieved, and a ten-point difference, in George's opinion, was nothing.
Overall, he was quite satisfied with his players' performance so far.
…
"Michael, I knew you could do it! That Mike from the other side is no match for you at all…" In St. Mary's High's resting area, little Sean was sharing his joy with Michael.
"Actually, I haven't beaten him yet…" Although Michael wasn't very smart, he knew that in the first two quarters, the opposing Mike hadn't actively attempted a breakthrough due to tactical arrangements.
And without a confrontation, how could one claim victory?
"Don't be modest, Michael. No matter what, you performed better than the opposing Mike." Sean encouraged him.
From a spectator's perspective, in the first two quarters, compared to Mike's invisibility, Michael had done an excellent job, at least on offense, in helping his quarterback score.
This situation made little Sean feel very pleased.
Seeing little Sean's happy expression, Michael didn't explain further, but instead followed with a silly "hehe" laugh.
At the same time, little Sean's peripheral vision caught his sister Collins, next to him, staring at Mike from the opposing team in the distance, infatuated.
The little guy's mood instantly soured; he shook his head helplessly, as if he had suddenly aged several years.
"What on earth is the opposing coach thinking…"
On the other side, taking advantage of the halftime break in the second quarter, Coach Cotton once again pondered George's intentions.
But in the end, he still couldn't fathom the opponent's intentions.
In this situation, Coach Cotton could only improvise in the upcoming game.
Finally, the third quarter began!
When he saw Aaron and Mike breaking through with the ball side-by-side, Coach Cotton realized something was wrong.
"Stop them… Switch to defensive plan number one…"
Last year, the Medford Team's dual-core tactic had left Coach Cotton with a very bad memory.
And now, Medford's dual-core tactic had clearly taken shape, and Coach Cotton's warning was a step too late.
"It's up to you, Mike!"
Facing the opponent's sudden double-team tactic, Aaron decisively threw the football ball to Mike, who was in position.
The dual-core tactic, also known as the wolf pack tactic, can always find a suitable breakthrough point when facing the opponent's defense.
When Mike received the ball, only Michael, who had been marking him, remained in front of him.
At this moment, Michael, while running, slightly lowered his body, attempting to intercept his opponent with a waist-tackle.
"Bang!"
Amidst a teeth-gritting collision, Michael's tackle was unsuccessful.
Nearly two meters tall, he was sent flying backward like he had been hit by a motorcycle, his massive body soaring through the air.
And compared to Michael, the normally built Mike appeared much "smaller."
Therefore, this impact, where the small overcame the large, had an exceptionally strong visual impact.
"Well done! That's it!"
While everyone was still in shock, Sam in Medford's resting area had already jumped up excitedly.
Having been suppressed by Michael for an entire game, he didn't know why, but he felt incredibly good seeing the opponent suffer the same treatment as himself.
The kind of satisfaction that reached the soul!
Loki, the God of Mischief, had also felt this sensation when Thor, the God of Thunder, was abused by the Hulk.
"Mike… Mike…"
"Go, go, go!"
After a brief silence, the spectators, confirming that what they saw was not an illusion, immediately let out thunderous shouts.
Lina on the sidelines also led the cheerleading girls, neatly waving their colorful ribbons, cheering for Mike.
Amidst the mighty cheers, Mike effortlessly rushed into the St. Mary's team's end zone.
Medford scores +6.
With his teammates excitedly rushing to celebrate, Mike, with just one offensive drive, helped the team regain its confidence.