Page 57 of Racing Heat

I repeat the words over and over in my head as they run through some stretches. I’m wondering if that was for my benefitor just an answer to Mac’s question. I decide on the latter and file that information away for safe keeping.

The extra practice is going really well. The girls are doing a great job of firing some hard shots at Hendrix, but they’re also joking around and making this fun for her.

“Come on, Hendrix, let’s see you do some real dives,” Cassie calls as she fires a slow, low one at her.

“You might want to try putting some spin on that one,” Hendrix calls back. “I could have practically stopped that one with my foot.”

“I’ve got your spin,” Mac calls out, slamming one in Hendrix’s direction. She does a nice job of placing it right where Hendrix could make a diving save. But she’s not ready for it and doesn’t save it. It flows into the net. “Got you there, Hen.”

Hendrix holds up her gloved hand. “You’re just lucky that you can’t see what finger I’m holding up underneath here.”

Mac shakes her head, laughing along with her.

“From farther out now,” I command. “Let’s get her in that game situation from yesterday.”

Mac and Cassie move to their cones. Cassie is hanging out by the eighteen, and Mac’s just inside the box in the middle. Amelia is the defender.

“Stay out of place, Amelia. I want this to be a one-on-one with the goalie.”

“Sure, take out your most powerful weapon,” she says, ribbing me.

“You had some chances earlier and did well. Let’s give you a break. You know your role well.”

She nods and grins at me, taking the compliment and time to get some water.

Cassie fires a shot in, but Hendrix is at the wrong angle, and it goes in.

“Adjust, Hendrix,” I shout. “You’ve gotta adjust. Coming out isn’t enough. You have to read it. Again!”

Cassie nods and dribbles her ball up to the spot. She watches Hendrix waiting on her nod, and once she gets it, she fires the ball. Hendrix grabs this one and gets an easy save.

“Let’s try not telling her when we’re shooting, maybe? Kind of defeats the purpose of the drill.”

Groans are heard all around, but they do as I ask. “Now I want you to work on hard passing, one touch receiving, and firing it into the goal.” My ask is rewarded with more groans, but they get down to it. That’s what I love about working with these four. You can give them simple instructions and they just know. With some players I’ve worked with, I had to give them each and every detail.

“You working them hard this morning?” Andie comes jogging over to me on the field.

“Oh, hey. I didn’t realize you were going to be here today.”

“I had some paperwork I wanted to work on in my office, so I came in for the quiet.”

“Ugh, the paperwork is the worst part of this job. Who knew we’d have to fill out stat sheets, trade sheets, and recruiting sheets along with all the other work.”

She nods in agreement. “Yep, and on our days off too. Or don’t your players get a day off?”

“They do. Just wanted to work on some specific things before they were forgotten.” The girls are sweating pretty good in the morning heat. It might be time to break it up. “But yeah, we can stop now, I think.”

“Probably a good idea.” Andie bumps my shoulder and walks away, but not before calling, “I’m heading back into my air-conditioning.”

“See ya,” I call to her retreating form. “Alright, alright, that’s enough. You girls can call it a day. Good work out there. Thankyou all for coming in and helping. Hendrix, nice job! I liked what I saw. Now go and get some rest.”

After everyone leaves, I clean up the equipment and head out to my car. Looking down at my phone, I see I have a text from Cassie.

Cassie:I’ll hang back and follow you out of the lot. We’re all doing our own thing. Mac is headed to Danny. Amelia and Hendrix are getting ice baths. So we’re safe.

Jase:That worked out perfectly. I’ll make sure I wait for you before pulling out.

My response to that one is an emoji with a wink.