Soccer: How to Play the Game

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.

The other commentators certainly have it right. This is a great soccer book. Anyone who wants to get to know the game and all its permutations needs this book. If nothing else for the pictures. They are great. The pictoral section on skills, I look at over and over.

I took my National "D" coaching license course this summer, and our instructor mandated that we purchase this book. I have at least two dozen other coaching manuals in my collection. This is by far the best. EVERY COACH SHOULD OWN IT, AND READ IT, cover to cover, over and over. Mine flaps in the wind with Post-It Notes stuck in throughout. No better gift for a coach, too. Buy it, learn it, use it.

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.

IF YOU ARE A YOUTH SOCCER COACH IN THE US, THEN YOU SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK!! (and then attend your state soccer association's coaching certification classes).This book is the most complete, well organized collection of soccer coaching information that I have in my library. True, if you're looking for tactical depth, there are better texts available, but that's just it - unless you're coaching a high-level U-15 team or older, you shouldn't be burdening your players with heavy tactical instruction. LET THEM LEARN FROM THE GAME!What you do get is: - a great section on coaching philosophy - information on preventing and treating injuries - a section on teaching proper technique - a section on how to structure a productive practice - a set of exercises and games that are ready for you to insert into your next practice.Even the best intentioned coach can do damage to his/her players by over-instructing and judging his/her performance based on the number of wins his/her team has racked up in a season. Read this book and start measuring your sucess by how much your worst player has improved and how much your players look forward to your next practice.Bravo to the USSF for finally publishing a text that not only covers the "nuts and bolts" but also provides coaches with a philosophy that will continue to nurture the growth of the sport in our country.