Secret Weapon

by Matt Christopher

  Coach Bradley grinned back. “Wish I could be the one to tell you,” he said. “But I couldn’t do a flip throw-in if my life depended on it. I know someone who can help you, though.”

  “Who?” Ted wanted to know.

  The coach replied, “Bundy Neel’s baby-sitter, Mary. I’ll call her right now to see if she can work with you tomorrow, if you like.”

  “You bet I would!” Lisa cried.

  Chapter 6

  When the coach left that night, it was all arranged. He and Lisa would go to Bundy’s house the next day.

  The next afternoon, Ted tagged along with the coach and Lisa.

  “Okay,” Mary said when everyone was together. “Coach Bradley told me that you can already do a front handspring. That’s all the soccer flip throw-in is, really. But instead of landing with your hands on the ground, you land on the soccer ball.”

  “Or on your back if you do it wrong!” Bundy started to laugh, but stopped when Mary glared at him.

  “Sorry,” Bundy mumbled.

  Mary turned back to Lisa. “Okay, watch how I do this and see what you think.”

  Lisa paid close attention. Mary scooped up a ball. Then, before Lisa could blink, Mary launched herself down and forward, placed the ball on the ground, flipped her legs up and over, and pinwheeled back into a standing position. The ball was in perfect position for a throw-in: behind her head and held with both hands.

  “And your feet are already planted firmly on the ground, just as they should be,” Mary said. “All you have to do is hurl the ball into the air over the heads of your opponents to a waiting teammate!”

  Lisa, Ted, and Bundy all clapped. “That was awesome!” Lisa exclaimed, picking up the ball. “Can I try now?”

  Mary asked the coach to kneel down. Mary knelt opposite him. Both put their arms out until their hands were almost touching.

  “Okay, Lisa,” Mary said, “the coach and I are going to support your back and help you flip up to your feet after you kick your legs over. Don’t worry about falling—we won’t let you, will we, Coach?”

  “No chance,” the coach replied.

  The first try, Lisa panicked. It felt so strange to land on a ball instead of her hands. Instead of going over gracefully like Mary had, she flopped to one side. But both Coach Bradley and Mary caught her before she could fall. The second try, she did better. By the thirteenth try, Mary and the coach were hardly supporting her back at all.

  Ted and Bundy got bored watching her do the same move over and over. They went inside to play a card game and have a snack. They missed Lisa’s twentieth try, when Mary declared she was ready for the next step.

  “Let’s see you throw the ball at the end of the flip,” she said.

  Again, Lisa had trouble at first. She couldn’t seem to time the throw right. When she released the ball too soon, it shot straight up in the air. Too late, and the ball thudded into the ground in front of her and bounced away. Finally, though, Lisa got the hang of it.

  “Okay, now let’s work on aiming for a teammate. Coach, would you head down-field?”

  As Coach Bradley jogged to the other end of the backyard, Ted and Bundy came back outside.

  “Hold on,” Bundy said. “You’re going to try to reach the coach?” He shook his head in disbelief. “You’ve never thrown the ball that far in your life! No way are you going to make it to him!”

  Lisa called back, “We’ll see about that, Bundy Neel!” With a deep breath, she launched herself into a front handspring. The ball met the ground and her legs flipped up and over perfectly. Her upper body followed, and as her feet landed, she released the ball.

  Bundy stared, open-mouthed, as the ball landed twenty-five feet from where Lisa was standing—right where the coach had positioned himself. Coach Bradley gave a whoop as he stopped the ball with his chest. Mary applauded madly. And Bundy walked up to Lisa, stuck out his hand, and said, “Put it there, Secret Weapon!”

  Chapter 7

  Lisa practiced her flip throw-in the rest of the afternoon. The coach, Mary, Ted, and Bundy took turns playing offense and defense. Eight times out of ten, Lisa’s throws reached their mark easily.

  They called it quits at dinnertime. Bundy couldn’t stop talking about it, though.

  “Wait ‘til the other ’Cats see this!” he crowed over and over. “I feel sorry for our opponents!”

  “We’ll see, we’ll see” was all the coach said. But he was smiling. “Now let’s all get some rest. We’ve got to face the Tadpoles tomorrow!”

  “No problem,” Bundy said. “With Lisa’s secret move, they won’t know what hit ‘em!”

  Lisa wasn’t so sure, though. It was one thing to do a flip throw-in during practice. But would she be able to do it in a game?

  Guess I’ll find out soon enough, she thought that night as she climbed into bed.

  The next day shone bright and clear. The ’Cats took to the field in their yellow uniforms. All through warm-ups, Bundy chattered about Lisa’s new move. “But,” he said, throwing a protective arm around Lisa’s shoulder, “she doesn’t reveal the secret weapon until game time.” The other players were curious but willing to wait and see her do it. Only Stookie Norris seemed doubtful.

  “So she can do a flip while holding a soccer ball,” he said with a shrug. “Big deal. What if she screws it up? I still say Alan should take any throw-ins on their side of the field. At least we know he can hit the mark half the time. She can’t.”

  Lisa flared up. “I’m going to make you eat those words, Stookie,” she hissed. Stookie just shrugged and walked away.

  Lisa’s anger faded as quickly as it had come. She tried not to think about what Stookie had said, but his words bit into her brain anyway. By the time the game started, she wasn’t sure she wanted to try the flip throw-in after all.

  Coach Bradley seemed to pick up on her worries. “Lisa,” he said just as she took to the field, “if you aren’t comfortable doing the move, don’t do it. We can win this game without it.”

  The two teams took their positions on the field and the game began.

  The ’Cats had won the coin toss. Stookie tapped the ball out of the center circle to Lou, who began a mad rush down the field. He dodged one defender after another, then got trapped in a corner. He tried to boot the ball back to Stookie, but a Tadpole fullback stole it. With a hard kick, he sent the ball soaring high overhead. It landed midfield.

  It didn’t stay there long. Dewey London raced forward and beat a Tadpole striker by a footstep. With a kick just as hard as the Tadpole fullback’s, he sent the ball back into Tadpole territory. Moments later, Jerry Dinh rocketed it into the net. Barely five minutes had passed and the ’Cats were already on the scoreboard!

  That early goal seemed to take the wind out of the Tadpoles’ sails. The ’Cats scored two more times in the first half. The Tadpoles hardly got the ball into ’Cats territory at all.

  Coach Bradley was pleased with his team’s performance. “A real improvement over the last game,” he said. “Offense, you’re doing a terrific job. Defense, you haven’t had much of a workout, but stay on your toes. Those Tadpoles could come out fighting hard in the second half.” Lisa nodded with the rest of the team. She hadn’t had to take a throw-in—yet. Secretly, she wished she wouldn’t have to the whole game.

  She didn’t get her wish. As the coach had warned them, the Tadpoles came out raring to go. In the first few minutes, they stormed the ’Cats goal again and again, running circles around the defense. They were like a whole different team.

  The four ’Cats fullbacks and goalie Bucky Pinter fended off each attack as best they could. Then came the moment Lisa had been dreading. She and a Tadpole striker were battling for the ball. The striker kicked it too hard, and it bounced over the touchline right near Lisa’s feet.

  Bundy’s voice came across the field clear as a bell. “Okay, Lisa, let her rip!”

  As Lisa trotted into position, she took in what was happening on the field: Stookie was shaking his
head in disgust. The Tadpole players were crowding around as close as they could, ready to steal the ball. From his position midfield, Bundy was calling, “I’m right here, waiting for that ball!” Lisa didn’t miss the fact that a Tadpole player was laughing at what Bundy was saying.

  Lisa panicked. I can’t do it, I just can’t, she said to herself. So instead of stepping back from the touchline to do a flip throw-in, she planted her feet and lobbed the ball weakly into the air. It came down in a patch of Tadpoles.

  Tadpoles and ’Cats swarmed on it like bees on honey. But the Tadpoles had better position. They took possession and, five passes later, scored.

  Lisa felt miserable. Bundy shot her a wounded look, Ted a curious one. But Stookie’s look was the worst of all. His plainly said, “I knew she couldn’t do it.”

  Chapter 8

  That goal was the only one the Tadpoles made. The game ended with the score 3–1. Every ’Cat was smiling and laughing as he or she came off the field. Everyone but Lisa.

  The coach pulled her aside. “Don’t worry,” he said. “You’ll do the flip when it feels right.”

  Bundy was less understanding. “Lisa, why didn’t you do it?” he demanded. “I feel like an idiot, telling everyone how great you were going to be. Then you choked!”

  Stookie overheard. “You are an idiot, if you really thought she was going to pull off some great new move,” he scoffed.

  Lisa was so humiliated, she couldn’t speak. But to her surprise, she didn’t have to. Ted spoke for her.

  “She didn’t choke and she can do it!” he said angrily. “She just wasn’t ready, that’s all. She only learned how to do it yesterday, for Pete’s sake! When she is ready, she’ll be great at it.” He took Lisa’s arm. “Come on, sis,” he said. “Let’s go home.”

  Lisa followed him, amazed at how he’d stuck up for her. But when she tried to thank him, he brushed it off. “No one talks to my twin that way,” he said gruffly. Then he smiled. “‘Cept me, of course.”

  All through lunch, Lisa thought about how Ted had stuck up for her. He didn’t do that very often.

  He believes I can do the flip, she thought. Well, I’m going to prove he’s right. And that means practicing until I can do it in my sleep. I don’t want Ted to know what I’m doing, though, just in case.

  “Think I’ll go upstairs and read for a while,” she said, dumping her lunch plate into the sink. She hurried upstairs, careful to leave her door open just a bit. When she heard Ted turn on the computer in their parents’ study, she sneaked downstairs, grabbed a soccer ball, and headed for the door.

  Then she paused. She couldn’t practice in their backyard because then Ted would know what she was doing. The playground? Too many other kids might be there—including kids from another soccer team. Finally, she picked up the cordless phone and hid in the closet. She dialed a number and waited impatiently for it to be answered.

  “Hello?” a boy’s voice said.

  “Bundy? It’s Lisa,” Lisa whispered.

  “Boy, am I glad you called!” Bundy shouted. Lisa winced, sure that Bundy’s booming voice had carried as far as the study. “Lisa, I’m really sorry for the way I blew up at you after the game. What Ted said was right. You’ll do the flip throw-in when you’re ready.”

  “That’s why I’m calling,” Lisa said, her voice still hushed. “Can I come over and practice the throw-in at your house?”

  “Absolutely!” Bundy cried.

  “Okay, okay, see you in a bit.” Lisa hung up hurriedly. She cracked open the closet door and listened closely. She could just make out the sounds of Ted’s favorite computer game. With a sigh of relief, she carefully put the phone back in its cradle, slipped out the back door, and hurried to Bundy’s house.

  Chapter 9

  Later that week, the Soccer ’Cats had to cancel the game against the Scorpions because of rain. Lisa was disappointed. She had spent as much time as she could secretly practicing the flip throw-in. Only Bundy and Mary knew what she was up to. Now she’d have to wait two more days to show the ’Cats their secret weapon.

  Finally, it was the day of the next game. Their opponents were the Panthers.

  Before the game, Lisa quietly told the coach that she was ready. She held her breath while the coach checked with the referee that it was okay for Lisa to do a flip throw-in. Only when the coach gave her the thumbs up did she let her breath out. Then she pulled Bundy aside.

  “I’m going to do it,” she whispered. “Be ready the first time I take a throw-in. And be quiet!” she added in a hiss as Bundy started to cheer.

  “Okay, team,” Coach Bradley called, clapping his hands. “Now we all remember that the Panthers beat us pretty badly last time around. Well, this time it’s going to be a different story, right?”

  “Right!” the team yelled in unison.

  You better believe it, Lisa added silently. Panthers, you are about to be declawed. And Stookie Norris, get ready to eat your words.

  The Panthers had won the coin toss. The ref blew his whistle and the match began. The Panther center striker booted the ball to one of his wings. The wing hot-footed it down the sideline. Dewey and Bundy charged him simultaneously.

  “Take him!” Bundy yelled to Dewey. Dewey did, performing a clean tackle from the side. But his pass to Bundy was wobbly. The Panther center striker swooped in and stole it. Dribbling madly, the Panther headed straight into ’Cats territory.

  The fullbacks were ready. Brant and Alan hung back near the goal, keeping an eye on the wing strikers, while Ted and Lisa attacked. Their attack succeeded. With a strong kick, Ted sent the ball soaring to Jerry.

  Back and forth the struggle went. First the ’Cats had control, then the Panthers. Just when it looked as if the Panthers would score, one of the fullbacks would manage to get the ball away. Or Bucky Pinter would make a terrific save and put the ball back into the ’Cats control.

  Throughout the action, Lisa watched for a chance to unleash her secret weapon. Finally, it came.

  Deep in ’Cats territory, the Panther center striker got in trouble. He booted the ball to the sideline, looking for his teammate to capture it. The teammate missed and Lisa charged after it. Both she and the other Panther were too late, though. The ball bounced over the touchline. It was the ‘Cats’ ball and Lisa’s throw-in.

  “Hey, the little fullback’s going to take her first throw-in,” the center Panther called. “Get in as close as you can, team!”

  Heart pounding, Lisa took the ball in both hands. She stepped a few paces back and looked for Bundy. There he was about thirty feet away, dancing from foot to foot—and totally unguarded.

  Trying not to grin, Lisa rushed forward. The ball met the ground. Her feet flew up and over, and landed in perfect position just next to the touchline. As they did, Lisa launched the ball. It soared in an arc high over the Panthers’ heads and landed precisely at Bundy’s feet. With a yelp of triumph, Bundy took off like a shot toward the Panthers’ goal.

  Stunned, neither the Panthers nor the ’Cats moved for a split second. Then Stookie took up Bundy’s cry and charged downfield to help his teammate. The rest of the ‘Cats’ offense did too, followed closely by the bewildered Panthers.

  “What was that?” Lisa heard one Panther ask another.

  “That,” Ted replied, barging in between them, “was the Soccer ‘Cats’ secret weapon! And that,” he added, pointing downfield where a cheer rang out, “is called a goal!”

  Chapter 10

  Sure enough, there was Bundy, beaming with happiness at having made the first goal of the game. Moments later, the halftime buzzer sounded and the two teams left the field.

  “Way to go, ’Cats!” Ted and Lisa yelled together.

  “Way to go, Lisa! That was incredible!” There was Stookie, shaking his head and grinning.

  Lisa grinned back. “I warned you I was going to make you eat your words,” she said.

  “I’d eat them again in a second!” Stookie replied. “Did you see the looks on
their faces? Did you?”

  “I was too busy seeing the look on your face.” Lisa snorted with laughter. “Wish I’d had a camera!”

  “What I want to know,” said Ted, joining them, “is why could you do it this game and not in the game against the Tadpoles?”

  Lisa threw an arm over her brother’s shoulders. “I needed more time to get ready. You know all those days I said I was going to the library, or to the gym to do gymnastics, or wouldn’t let you go to the pool with me?”

  Bundy cut in. “She was really at my house, practicing! I’m the only one who knew she was doing it! And am I glad she did—that was the first goal I ever made!”

  “Ahem.”

  Lisa, Ted, Stookie, and Bundy looked around in surprise. Coach Bradley was tapping his clipboard with his pen. With a raised eyebrow but a gleam of merriment in his eyes, he said, “If you four are done slapping each other on the back, perhaps you’d like to join the rest of the team for our usual halftime chat. We haven’t won this game yet, you know.”

  “Maybe not,” said Stookie as he took his seat. “But with Lisa in there taking throw-ins for us, we’re sure to show those Panthers who the top ’Cats really are!”

  SOCCER ’CATS

  #1 The Captain Contest

  #2 Operation Baby-Sitter

  #3 Secret Weapon

  #4 Hat Trick

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