STAY CENTRAL.
Deus — this video breaks down the real cheat code for you as a nine. Everything starts with how you use the central corridor.
That space changes everything. When you stay central, you get access to the defender’s blindside. The runs you made all camp that were the most dangerous came from that exact zone. That’s the area where goals are scored.
But every time you drifted wide, everything collapsed. The moment you left the corridor, the center-backs could see you and the ball at the same time — and once a defender has both in view, you cannot beat her in behind. She adjusts her angle, steps into your line, gets goal-side, and the run dies. Even average defenders can defend that.
This is why the blindside is everything for you.
When the defender can’t see you and the ball at once, she is forced to rotate her body. And rotation costs time. That time becomes your advantage.
Here’s the part most players never learn:
blindside = more time
more time = better decisions + cleaner touches + clearer angles
We saw you start to understand this in the final days of camp. When you stayed central, you naturally drifted into the blindside. And the moment the center-back stepped up, you didn’t run directly — you changed your angle, stayed hidden, and received the ball in a way that forced her to rotate. That rotation is a momentum reset.
Anytime a defender rotates, she loses control of the moment. Imagine you’re facing one direction, and someone forces you to twist the opposite way — your entire momentum breaks. That’s what you did to defenders without realizing it.
And because she rotated late, you could receive on the half-turn, open your hips, and create instantly. That’s why your best touches all came when you were hidden and receiving in the central corridor.
This is your weapon: when you’re on the blindside, you get two threats at once —
The run in behind, because she can’t anticipate your first step
The first touch past her, because she rotates too late to react
Both came from the same principle: she cannot see you and the ball at the same time.
Now think back to transitions — this is where your game made the biggest jump. Earlier in camp, you drifted wide toward open space when the ball broke a line. But in your last game? You ran between the posts, straight into the corridor, and the defender completely lost you.
Why? Because in transitions, defenders always ball-watch. And if they’re watching the ball, they’re not watching you. So you’re already two steps ahead before the run even begins.
That’s why your run in that clip was perfect. And when you compare it to your teammate in the intrasquad game, it’s the same exact pattern — central run, blindside entry, goal.
And look at the contrast:
Earlier clip from camp — you stayed in her sightline. She saw you and the ball at the same time. She simply slid goal-side, and your run died.
Last game — same situation. Only difference? You stayed on her blindside. She couldn’t predict you. She couldn’t anticipate your angle. And if the ball into you had been cleaner, you’re through 1v1 and scoring.
Deus — this week you made a real shift.
Great job
-O