Rating: 
Summary: WATCH OUT!
Review: There are many errors of technique taught here (for example, goalie hand positions). Not a good book.
Rating:
Summary: WATCH OUT!
Review: There are many errors of technique taught here (for example, goalie hand positions). Not a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book for the Serious Coach
Review: This book summed up the USSF "D" License Course. It does a great job of going over basic technical skills, as well as reviewing tactical issues. This is a must have book for anyone that is going to take the "D" license or even the "E". I wish that I had gotten it earlier.
Rating: 
Summary: Articulate and complete
Review: This has instantly become one of my two favorite coaching books.I have been coaching for seven years and playing for 22. When my son became a teenager, I was forced to take coaching more seriously and began reading coaching books voraciously. This is one of the two best soccer coaching books I have read, and I have read a lot of them. For the new coach, I know of no better introduction: it is designed to take a newcomer to the game from complete ignorance to enough knowledge to coach a reasonably experienced team. That is a very ambitious goal, and I believe it is successful -- a truly extraordinary accomplishment, and the authors should be proud. This does not mean that this is a beginner's book, however! It holds plenty of reward even for a seasoned coach. In my collection there are basically two categories of soccer books: the books focused on drills and ideas for designing practices; the books focused on strategic and philosophical issues in coaching. This book straddles both categories, and does a respectable job at it. The extensive collection of "practice games" include some gems that were new to me; the introductory sections on philosophy and age-appropriateness held some important reminders. My only criticism of the book is that the "practice games" are neither integrated into the text nor well indexed by skill. This means that the book isn't as useful as it could be as a reference; to find a drill focused on a specific weakness requires flipping through all 100-odd drills. Contrast this to my other favorite coaching book, "Coaching Soccer Successfully," by Roy Rees et al. In that book, the drills are integrated into the discussion of the specific skills on which they are intended to focus, which tends to reinforce both the skill and how the game works to improve them. It is still awkward to find the drills, but at least this organization makes the utility of the drills more clear. These two books are excellent companion volumes, and I strongly recommend the pair to every coach. A more experienced coach or someone coaching an older team would probably prefer the Roy Rees book first; a less experienced coach or one working with young children would probably get more out of USSF book. Both of these books are worth the money -- and more importantly, well worth the time it takes to read them!
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, easily understood and beautifully illustrated
Review: This is a great book and the information contained within would greatly benefit any new coach. It gives an overview of all that is involved from early ages to high school and beyond. Coaching philosophies, rules, organization, tactics, player management conditioning, technique and more are all covered in excellent detail. It's not only packed with drills but it shows you how to successfully utilize these drills to organize practices that are enjoyable! and practical. I wish that this book was mandatory for all youth coaches (particularly 5-10yr age range). I've seen how so many of these coaches (parents too) have turned soccer from a dynamic exciting game into a passive boring one by not allowing their young players (kids) to learn from the game. You play soccer you don't drill or mandate it. Give them the ball and let them play. Ok, I think I'm finished ranting now but this is a subject that really bothers me so I'm not sure. Anyhow, buy this book you will not be dissapointed. I also highly recommend reading the Art of Soccer (outstanding 5+ stars), Coaching Soccer Successfully, and Teaching Soccer the Progressive Way.
Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, easily understood and beautifully illustrated
Review: This is a great book and the information contained within would greatly benefit any new coach. It gives an overview of all that is involved from early ages to high school and beyond. Coaching philosophies, rules, organization, tactics, player management conditioning, technique and more are all covered in excellent detail. It's not only packed with drills but it shows you how to successfully utilize these drills to organize practices that are enjoyable! and practical. I wish that this book was mandatory for all youth coaches (particularly 5-10yr age range). I've seen how so many of these coaches (parents too) have turned soccer from a dynamic exciting game into a passive boring one by not allowing their young players (kids) to learn from the game. You play soccer you don't drill or mandate it. Give them the ball and let them play. Ok, I think I'm finished ranting now but this is a subject that really bothers me so I'm not sure. Anyhow, buy this book you will not be dissapointed. I also highly recommend reading the Art of Soccer (outstanding 5+ stars), Coaching Soccer Successfully, and Teaching Soccer the Progressive Way.
| 
