Football Rewired Chapter 5 - Virtual Reality Training (2024)

Lucas opened his eyes and found himself standing on a standard empty pitch, surrounded by a vast expanse of green grass under a bright blue sky. The scene felt remarkably realistic—he could smell the fresh-cut grass and feel the gentle breeze brushing against his skin. He pinched his arm and felt the soft fabric of the red jersey he found himself wearing. It was as if he had been transported to an actual field, leaving him in awe of the experience.

This was his first time trying the virtual reality training, as even when he was developing it in his past life, he made use of players to test it.

"Wow, this is incredible," Lucas murmured, taking in the vivid details of the environment.

{The virtual training module is designed to simulate real-world conditions with high fidelity. The sensory feedback is calibrated to enhance your immersion and learning experience.}

Lucas nodded, impressed by the seamless integration of the virtual world with his senses. Suddenly, a soccer ball materialized at his feet, catching him by surprise.

"Where did that come from?" he wondered aloud, still amazed by the realism of it all. He nudged the ball with his foot, feeling its weight and texture, before deciding to take a shot at goal. He positioned himself, drew back his leg, and struck the ball with precision. The satisfying thud of the impact resonated through him as he watched the ball soar into the net.

{Excellent. We will begin with an agility, dribbling, and shooting drill.}

As NEXUS spoke, a series of cones appeared on the field, arranged in a winding track leading up to the goalposts. A faceless robotic goalkeeper stood between the posts, clad in a striking blue jersey. Lucas could hardly believe how lifelike everything felt.

{Your task is to dribble through the cones as quickly as possible without losing control of the ball, then score a goal against the keeper. This drill will help enhance your agility and precision under pressure.}

Lucas took a deep breath and began the drill. He maneuvered the ball through the cones with deft touches, weaving in and out while maintaining a rapid pace. The feeling of the ball against his feet, the slight resistance, and the precision required to navigate the cones made the experience feel incredibly authentic. As he reached the end of the track, his heart raced with the excitement of the challenge.

He faced the robotic goalkeeper, a blue figure poised and ready. Lucas quickly feinted to his right, then shifted the ball to the left with a swift touch. He unleashed a powerful shot, feeling the ball connect perfectly with his foot. The ball flew past the keeper and into the net, marking a successful completion of the drill.

The training continued with various drills for the next two hours. Each drill was meticulously designed to challenge and improve different aspects of his game. For the shooting drills, he practiced from different angles and distances, focusing on accuracy and power. The feel of the ball against his foot, the way it sailed through the air, and the sound of it hitting the back of the net were all remarkably realistic.

During the passing drills, Lucas worked with a faceless player wearing a red jersey. The robot moved fluidly around the pitch, mimicking the movements of an actual opponent. Lucas practiced maintaining control while executing precise passes, adjusting his technique to different scenarios. He would receive a pass from the robot and quickly send it back with a crisp, accurate touch, varying the angles and distances to challenge himself further.

The sensation of the ball connecting with his foot and the feedback from each pass felt as real as if he were on an actual pitch.

In the dribbling drills, Lucas focused on tight ball control and quick changes of direction. The cones and markers challenged his agility, and he pushed himself to maintain speed while maneuvering through them. The feeling of the ball gliding smoothly as he dribbled was incredibly lifelike.

After two hours of intense training and drills, Lucas felt a surge of excitement. "I want to try a real match scenario," he said, eager to test his skills in a simulated game.

{Please select your level from the following options: U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19, reserve, and professional (Senior). The simulation will use data and parameters gotten from information in my database to make the match levels, standard}

Lucas pondered the options before responding. "I'll go with U-15."

Even though he was only 12, he felt that due to the amplification of his stats and gaining traits due to the integration with nexus, the U-13 would be too easy for him.

{Understood. Please choose your position.}

As Lucas prepared to choose his position for the simulated match, memories from his past life flooded back to him, reminding him why he had always loved playing as an attacking midfielder. The role had always fascinated him because of its unique blend of creativity, responsibility, and influence on the game.

In his previous life as a sports scientist and a passionate football enthusiast, Lucas had often marveled at how the attacking midfielder could be the heartbeat of a team. This role demanded not only technical skill but also vision, intelligence, and the ability to read the game several steps ahead. It was the position that connected defense to attack, orchestrating the flow of play and setting the tempo for the entire team.

He admired how midfielders could dictate the game's pace, acting as the conductor of the team's symphony. They were the architects of attacking plays, weaving intricate passes through the opposition's defense and creating scoring opportunities for their teammates. This position allowed them to constantly influence the game, ensuring that the team's attacks were fluid and dynamic.

But it wasn't just about assisting others; the attacking midfielder also had the chance to shine individually. They could find themselves in goal-scoring positions, often arriving late into the box or launching long-range shots, becoming both a playmaker and a scorer. Lucas loved the challenge of being the focal point of the team's offensive strategy, balancing selflessness with the opportunity to seize moments of personal glory.

Lucas's appreciation for the role had grown from watching countless matches and analyzing how great players in that position had dominated games. Icons like Johan Cruyff, Zinedine Zidane, and Andrés Iniesta had left a lasting impression on him. He admired their ability to control games with grace and precision, turning football into an art form with their mastery of the ball and their acute tactical understanding.

Choosing the attacking midfielder role was not just about the technical and tactical aspects; it was about the joy of playing in a position where he could be at the center of everything. He relished the opportunity to touch the ball often, make critical decisions, and influence the outcome of the match. For Lucas, the attacking midfielder was the position that embodied the essence of football—a beautiful blend of individual skill and collective teamwork.

With these thoughts in mind, Lucas confidently selected his position. "Attacking Midfielder," he declared, ready to immerse himself in the role he loved and to use his skills to shape the virtual match ahead. The familiar excitement of being the team's playmaker surged through him as he prepared to orchestrate the attack and make his mark on the game.

Immediately, ten faceless players wearing plain red jerseys appeared on his side of the pitch, while eleven players in blue jerseys materialized on the other side as opponents, both sides in a 4-2-1-3 formation. A ball appeared in the center of the pitch, and the stage was set for the simulated match.

"Nexus, will you be controlling the players on both sides?" Lucas inquired, curious about how the match would unfold.

{The players are equipped with independent modules that control their movements and decisions. They will make standard decisions based on their programming, simulating a realistic match experience.}

As the whistle blew, Lucas felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. The simulation was as close to reality as he had imagined, with the faceless players moving and reacting like actual opponents and teammates. Lucas took up his position in the center of the pitch, ready to influence the game as the attacking midfielder.

The ball was kicked off, and Lucas immediately began to orchestrate the play, calling for the ball from his teammates. However, he quickly realized that the pace and pressure of a real match were far more intense than the drills he had just completed. The opposing players closed him down swiftly, forcing him to make quick decisions under pressure.

"This is tougher than I thought," Lucas admitted to himself, feeling the weight of expectation as the central playmaker. He attempted to dribble past a defender but was dispossessed, the ball stolen from his feet by the opposition's aggressive press. Frustration bubbled up inside him as he jogged back into position.

For the next few minutes, Lucas found himself struggling to keep up with the flow of the game. The opponents marked him tightly, denying him the space and time he was accustomed to during the drills. His attempts to make incisive passes were intercepted, and his shots on goal were blocked by the relentless defense.