American Football: Domination

Back at the University of Alabama, Coach Burns once convinced Lance to try football by claiming that the sport wasn't as technically challenging as it seemed.

Looking back now, Lance realized Burns had been downplaying the difficulty to avoid scaring him away.

Receiver. Quarterback. Running back.

Three positions. Three different roles. Each with a fundamentally different way of playing the game.

For receivers, the complexity lay in their routes. They had to remember when and where to cut inside or outside, head for the sideline or aim for the middle, go deep or stay short for a quick catch. Not only did they need to memorize their own routes, but they also had to know their teammates' routes and adjust based on the defense's formation.

Many rookie receivers struggled to take the field because they couldn't memorize the playbook. If they messed up their routes, the entire offensive plan could fall apart.

For quarterbacks, the challenge was even greater.

They had to read the defense, survey the entire field, and adapt on the fly. If a quarterback couldn't visualize the entire field and predict how the defense would react, their passing options would be limited.

It was like playing a game of connect-the-dots — some people saw the lines instantly, while others struggled to see any connections at all. That difference separated average quarterbacks from great ones.

That's why each position had its own specialized training routines to sharpen players' unique skill sets.

For many players, their position-specific training already pushed them to the limit. They had no time or energy to explore other roles.

But for Lance, learning new roles wasn't just eye-opening — it was exciting.

He remembered what Burns had said:

"Football is like war. Strategy matters. The principles of The Art of War apply perfectly to the game."

By studying the roles of a receiver and quarterback, Lance could shift his perspective and better understand the game's strategic nuances.

So, last week, Lance started attending meetings for both tight ends and receivers. With Travis Kelce's help, he began learning route running.

Andy Reid welcomed Lance with open arms.

Of course, Kareem Hunt was already attending these meetings too, which only added to his stress. The competition between Lance and Hunt was heating up.

After practice, Lance would study quarterback tactics with Patrick Mahomes. Together, they reviewed film to understand Alex Smith's play style and brainstorm ways Mahomes could improve once he took over as the starting QB.

Lance's days were packed from morning to night.

One morning, after his usual run along the Missouri River, Lance arrived at the Chiefs' training facility. Pushing open the door to the indoor training room, he was surprised to see a familiar figure leaning against the desk by the medical room door.

It was Lilith.

She must've just arrived, as her long blonde hair was still loose around her shoulders instead of tied up in her usual ponytail. Wearing a light gray sweater and jeans, she looked more relaxed and gentle than her usual professional demeanor.

Lilith was deeply engrossed in a book, with a stack of thick volumes beside her. Morning sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a golden glow on her hair, making her seem almost ethereal.

The sound of the door startled her. She lifted her head abruptly, a flicker of panic in her eyes. She wasn't expecting anyone this early.

Seeing it was Lance, Lilith calmed down. If it were anyone else, she might've been surprised. But Lance? He was always the first to arrive at the facility. Even the security guards were on a first-name basis with him.

Lilith bit down on the hair tie wrapped around her wrist and quickly gathered her hair into a ponytail. Turning to face Lance, she caught his gaze, noticing the playful glint in his eyes.

That made her a little flustered. She looked away for a second, then smirked.

"So… where's your Bonnie?"

The teasing jab hit its mark.

"Bonnie and Clyde" was a famous crime film based on real events, featuring two infamous partners in crime. Everyone knew that Lance and Mahomes were inseparable training partners and neighbors. If Lance was here, Mahomes couldn't be far behind.

Catching on, Lance grinned. "Nice to meet you. I'm Clyde. Bonnie's out parking the car. Hands up — this is a robbery! Hand over all the kinesiology tape!"

Lilith couldn't help but laugh at his straight-faced delivery. "Oh? And who needs it? You or Bonnie?"

"Me," Lance replied honestly. "I'm doing some quick-cut drills today. Need to protect my knees and ankles."

As the season wore on, injury prevention became more important than ever.

Relieved that Lance wasn't nursing an injury, Lilith grabbed two rolls of tape from a drawer. As she turned to toss them to him, she noticed Lance had wandered over to the desk, curiously eyeing the books she had been reading.

"Lance!" she called out nervously.

"I thought I was Clyde?" Lance shot back, unfazed by her reaction.

But Lilith wasn't in the mood for jokes. She quickly closed the book.

"Is this a secret?" Lance asked, intrigued.

Lilith froze. Her instinct was to dismiss him and say, "It's none of your business." But as she met Lance's sincere gaze, she hesitated. After a brief pause, she sighed and shook her head.

"No, it's not a secret. I'm just… doubting myself."

Lance glanced at the book titles — they were about athlete mental health and sports psychology.

Lilith's current role on the Chiefs' medical staff was as a data analyst. She wasn't a decision-maker.

But it was clear she was studying to expand her expertise, hoping to carve out a more significant role for herself within the team.

Yet, she lacked confidence.

"You have no idea how hard it is for a woman to make progress in a male-dominated sport," Lilith said quietly.

Her tone was light, but her words carried a weight of untold struggles.

For every step forward, Lilith had to prove herself tenfold compared to her male counterparts. Unseen barriers constantly popped up along her path. Many dismissed her challenges with a simple, "Just work harder."

But only those who had walked her path could truly understand.

Despite everything, Lilith didn't dwell on her hardships. She had chosen this career, and she was determined to persevere.

"I'll keep going," she said firmly.

Lance understood.

"Lilith," he said, his tone gentle but firm.

She looked up.

"We're still fighting. So, how about fighting alongside us?"

Lilith blinked, caught off guard by his words. Then, a smile bloomed on her face.

"All right."

Lance nodded, took the kinesiology tape, and walked off toward the locker room. His figure gradually disappeared into the morning light.

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates