Shoot to Win Read Online Free Page A

from the tap. “But even if they are there, what’s to say they’re going to be impressed by me? I mean, I couldn’t even beat a man with my step-over today. How can I be a professional winger if I can’t do a proper step-over?”
    Jamie looked at Mike, who was pushing his hand back through his greying hair. Jamie wondered what he was thinking.
    â€œRemember when we went on holiday and you met that mouse with the huge ears?” said Mike, pointing to the photo of Jamie and the mouse on the wall.
    â€œYeah, course I do,” said Jamie. “That was my first proper trip away.” Stopping to look at the photo, he couldn’t believe how big his front two teeth had been when he was younger. But they were OK now.
    â€œThat poor guy in the mouse suit. You kept going on about his big ears!” smiled Mike.
    â€œI know I did,” said Jamie, barging his granddad’s shoulder as he sat back down on the sofa. “But I’m not being funny, Mike – that was ages ago. I’m not a kid any more, you know. I’m serious, I need help with my step-overs, not talk about a mouse with big ears!”
    â€œBut who said the two aren’t connected, eh, Jamie?” said Mike, a little mysteriously. He still had his eyes focused on the TV. Foxborough were playing some great football.
    â€œWhat are you chatting about, Mike?”
    â€œI’m saying that maybe that mouse and his ears can help you with your step-overs.”
    Jamie was mystified.
    â€œLook,” said Mike, turning down the volume on the TV. “Bring that pad over here.” He was pointing to the square stack of sticky notepaper he kept by the phone.
    Jamie went and brought it over. It had lots of doodlings and telephone numbers on it. Mike had even been practising his signature on it!
    â€œRight,” said Mike. “Take a fresh piece and draw me a picture of the mouse’s head with his nice big ears.”
    â€œFine,” said Jamie.
    He didn’t have to think too hard. All he had to do was look at the photo on the wall. He did a quick sketch and handed it over to Mike.
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    â€œNot bad,” said Mike, laying the drawing on the table between them. “But maybe you’re right. It was ages ago that we met him. Maybe he needs you to bring him up to date a bit. How about you give him a new crew cut? And, in return, he can help you with your step-overs.”
    â€œHe can what?” Mike’s advice was normally spot-on, but Jamie wondered if he’d actually lost it this time. How could giving an imaginary haircut to a drawing of a mouse help Jamie with his step-overs?
    â€œIt’s simple, JJ. If you step on his ear, shave his head and then knock him away, you’ll be able to do your step-over.”
    â€œMike, what are you—”
    â€œTrust me, Jamie. Just say it. You’re going to step on his ear, shave his head and knock him away.”
    â€œFine, I’ll step on his ear, shave his head and knock him away. Happy now?”
    â€œAgain,” said Mike.
    â€œI’ll step on his ear, shave his head and knock him away. And then I’ll be able to do a step-over.”
    â€œGood,” said Mike, taking the pen from Jamie’s hand. “So what we’re saying is, you’re going to:
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    â€œStep on his ear with your left foot.
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    â€œThen shave his head with your right foot.
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    â€œAnd then knock him away with your left foot.”
    â€œGet it?” said Mike, getting up from his seat.
    â€œSort of.”
    â€œRemember, it’s simple: step on his ear—”
    â€œI know, shave his head and knock him away.”
    â€œThat’s it,” said Mike, moving cushions and chairs out of the way to make some room. He got a ball from the cupboard under the stairs and put it down on the carpet.
    â€œAre you ready to have a go?”
    â€œBut I don’t—”
    â€œYes,