Reviews (3)

Good Read
A lot of great information and facts about the history of soccer and the developing tactics that makes soccer what it is today. Only downside for me that the author talked more about individualls and less about systems than I had hoped.BUT, it was still a very good read.

Andy Gray knows his football
I love the commentary team of Andy Gray and Martin Tyler.Their comments are always interesting and spot on.
Very Insightful
Any fan of British soccer will enjoy this book, especially those who are interested in tactics. The diagrams are very well designed. Elegant would be the word to describe them. Andy Gray does a great job of describing the roles of various positions, the strengths and weaknesses of systems, and the players, managers, and teams that made each one successful or unsuccessful in some instances. Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)   

Subjects:  1. Football - General    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. 1-4120-0512-4,1-4120-0512-4,03-0881,03-0881,Football the Basics: Strategies and Techniques,Jeffrey M. Schaeffer,football,sports,techniques,basic forms,athletics,training,strength training,drills,fitness,coaching,playing sports,practice    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (2)

The importance of science in soccer
This book is obviously a must for a person who aspires to be a serious soccer coach. To understand and use the concepts of fitness training elaborated by Bangsbo one must have a least a rudimentary knowledge of anatomy, physiology, metabolism, biochemistry, etc. It makes a lot more sense to be aware of these when planning training programs. It is regrettable that the overwhelming majority of youth soccer coaches ignore those issues entirely. As a result, the efiiciency of training is very low. One other sad consequence of this ignorance is wrong ratios of load and work,inappropriate time units for various aerobic,anaerobic, and aerobic/anaerobic activities implemented during practice.In some extreme situations players may develop a variety of both short-term or long-term cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic problems. Bangsbo is one of the leading authorities on the subject of fitness training and has been involved with providing practical advice at the highest international level.Fitness Training in Soccer when studied in conjunction with a manual on periodization will make practice properly calibrated and efficient.

impressed
I am a youth soccer coach .I bought this book for what it says on the cover, to understand the body in the game itself. Although somewhat heavy going in places, it enlightened me to the importance of the basics in successful performance, if you�re looking for drills, tips, tactics, look else where, if you want to get the best from the body? Plan your season? this is the book . Oh and drink plenty of water! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Soccer    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training   

Reviews (18)

Its less boring to read about it than to watch it
This is a sociological study aimed to explain why ' soccer'(
The Issue and the Explanation
I learned a lot about sports (not just soccer) and how culture works in general from this excellent and enjoyable book. Even though certain parts (especially the first chapter) are written in an academic style with that sort of jargon, it is not a difficult book to read, nor are the concepts overly complicated.
A Must Read
This work sheds new light on a very fascinating question. In fact, this book is the basis for some of my own research within the field.I highly reccommend this book from both an academic and sports fan's viewpoint! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Social aspects    3. Sociological aspects    4. Sociology - General    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. United States    8. American History    9. Political Science and International Relations    10. Soccer (Association football)    11. Social Science / Sociology / General    12. Sociology    13. Sociology, Social Studies    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Coaching - Soccer    2. General    3. Soccer    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Training   

Reviews (2)

Good Stuff!
A super book for coaches who want to incorporate dynamic warm-ups/stretching into their teams training sessions and pre-game routine. Explanations are solid and easy to understand. As a coach of thirteen years I even found some terrific new warm-up exercises and games to use with my teams. Highly recommended especially for those who still believe that static stretching is still O.K. and anyone else who wants to leaern about proper warming up.

Outstanding
Really an outstanding book.It made me as a coach review how I approached warm-ups.I had always had the team go through traditional warm-ups; running the width of the field a couple of times, stretch and then small games of keep-away.Now, after reading this book that will all change.Dynamic stretching, varying the warm-up games etc... it is all covered in this book very well.Highly recommended for all coaches. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference    2. Soccer    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Training    6. Soccer (Association football)    7. Sports training & coaching   

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)   

Reviews (1)

Great Reference Book
This is a great reference book for any soccer coach. This "go-to" wealth of information will be something you refer to even if just for new ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. Soccer    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training   

Reviews (3)

A good workbook
This book reads a lot like shorthand. Very short, clear descriptions. It has some very good diagrams and after awhile it begins to make a lot of sense. Be prepared to keep returning to it as a resource book.

Must reading for all but the most experienced coaches.
This book teaches you how to read the game for on and off the ball movement of your players, and provides small sided games to improve deficiencies you have diagnosed.Who else but the Dutch would be seriousenough to have a chapter titled "Didactics and Methodology in YouthSoccer Training?"Do not look to this book for skills coaching,however.Useful for coaching U-10 and up.

Must reading for all but the most experienced coaches.
This book teaches you how to read the game for on and off the ball movement of your players, and provides small sided games to improve deficiencies you have diagnosed.Who else but the Dutch would be seriousenough to have a chapter titled "Didactics and Methodology in YouthSoccer Training?"Do not look to this book for skills coaching,however.Useful for coaching U-10 and up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Soccer--Coaching   

Reviews (1)

Insightful discussions of Brazilian soccer philosophy
Jose Thadeu Goncalves has played professional soccer in Brazil for five years and holds a Brazilian National Coaching License. In The Principles Of Brazilian Soccer, Goncalves effectively collaborates with Professor Julio Mazzei is an authoritative study of how technical skills at soccer develop. The Principles Of Brazilian Soccer meticulously examines the tactical principles the game, including insightful discussions of Brazilian soccer philosophy, methodology, coaching approaches, and more. The Principles Of Brazilian Soccer is a detailed and exceptional guide recommended especially for advanced soccer players seeking to improve their performance, as well as coaches and fans. Black-and-white diagrams illustrate some of the more complex plays, strategies, and issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sports training & coaching   

Subjects:  1. Training    2. Soccer (Association football)    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Soccer    5. Sports   

Reviews (9)

The First Great Football Writing Adventure
The first football book of its kind. Ground breaking. The foundation stone for all of the other great football books to come. Well written by Kuper and adventurously researched: travelling the world to see how deeply football was embedded in politics and culture.
Kuper knows his stuff.
Apart from a very informal writing style and a few errors like calling 1994 Brazilian presidential candidate LULU instead of LULA (Lula btw is the next President of Brazil), this book is just a jewel. Well In There!
Young journalist Kuper traveled around the world like a madman to gather the stories of soccer's relationship to politics and culture collected in the book's twenty chapters. The result is a book that will delight anyone with an interest in the world's most popular sport, and will intrigue those interested in the world beyond their boundaries. The book's sole flaw is a certain choppiness, which is partially due to the haphazard nature of his travels, and partly due to Kuper's perhaps overambitious goal of examining how soccer "affects the life of a country" and "how the life of a country affects its football." Concentrating on one or the other would have given the book the focus it lacks-but that doesn't detract from its power. Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer (Association football)   

Reviews (2)

Punch, kick, repeat....
Being a Yank, I'm fascinated by English football culture.We follow our teams over here, but the whole hoolie scene is nearly out of the realm of imagination here in the States.So, as a football supporter here, I try to learn as much as I can about the fans in England.That said, I was a little disappointed in Blades Business Crew.While it is a amazingly detailed account of years of clashes with opposing firms, it doesn't yield much insight into why a "normal" person would do this.Nor does Cowens reveal much about himself other than his love of Pringle and of being regarded as a top boy.Though you can't expect too much socialogical analysis from a guy who isn't in that business.If you want to read about the day in and day out scuffling of a firm, this is as good as any.If you are looking for an explanation, or simply an attempt to grasp why they do it, I'd suggest Buford's "Among the Thugs" or the book about John Barnes,"Out of His Skin".

UP THE BLADES!
I have probably read about two dozen books on the hooli scene and this has to be one of my favorites. Though it is like most hooligan books in that it is a diary of "I went to this ground and had an off with this firm" kind of thing, Cowens manages to capture the feel and the buzz better then most of the others. Also, unlike some Cass books where he claimed 40 ICF ran over 700 of Everton's top lads, this one rings true in every detail. He admits when the BBC got done and who did it, he admits they have had to leg it, and doesn't paint his mob up to be this mythical super firm. He just tells it like it is and makes no apologies. In fact, fellow yob Andy Nichols even backs some of Cowens claims in his own work.
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Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    3. Soccer    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (28)

Soccer: game, passion, art
This book by Eduardo Galeano wants to show much about the experience of soccer, an international phenomenon of the masses that is fabulous business and demanding sport, but above all, a game with the potential of poetry. In ancient times, 'poiesis' (Greek word) had some power over the ear and thus over the feeling and thought of peoples, back when the written word was in its infancy. 'Poiesis' was life therapy. Nowadays not all of us appreciate poetry, and we moderns certainly do not have that ancient sense of 'poiesis' as "creation"; for us poetry is more or less pretty words, written, barely experienced and poorly recited. Something like that happens with soccer. When Galeano writes in the Introduction, "a pretty move for the love of God," he encapsulates everything he tries to express in this book of the passion for soccer, and invites us to share this yearning reading the histories and legends he documents, in search of that playful, passionate art.
Pure poetry
Galeano's book remains the most lyrical and whimsical book ever written about soccer / football.He is one of the few writers who has managed to both embody and describe the spirit of the beautiful game at the same time.Wonderful to have such a talented writer and spirit give the game the treatment it deserves.A rare book...

An excellent read for fans of soccer and non-soccer fans
Soccer in Sun and Shadow is Eduardo Galeano's lyrical portrayal of the magic, passion and spontaneity of the sport set in a historical context from soccer's beginnings to the arrival of Bralizian dominance and the subsequent mass marketing of the sport via television and various corporations. The book is comprised of many anecdotes relating the feats of some of soccer's mythic heroes such as Friedenreich, Garrincha, Di Stefano, Cruyff, and of course, the inimitable Pel�. This format will probably appeal more to soccer neophytes than long-time fans, but nonetheless, it is still a good read.
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Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (3)

Good Tactics, poor graphics...
Could be better...
Professional help from Italian-speaking writers
If you are a coach, this book is for you.Its concepts are complex and the book assumes an already detailed knowledge of the game.There are several attacking patterns that I guarantee will help your team, as well as concepts and drills to improve individual and group attacking play.For someone who played defense in college and specializes in defense at the collegiate coaching level, the book is helpful if one-sided.The Italians focus on a zonal defense, and in general flat-back defense is detailed.There is some very good stuff in here to help build a defense.Additionally, almost any formation you can imagine is given a quick glance by a professional coach who uses it and notes its advantages and disadvantages.The one criticism I have is the clumsy writing--these guys are definitely not American.

A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF TACTICS
Really an excellent book...A little bit "pro"...Actually I bought it to improve my game tactics on WE8/PS2 but it also helped my soccer fundamental knowledge to improve as well... I recommend this book to everyone who wants to improve his football fundamentals, especially on game strategies. As written by Italians,strength is on the defence side, but satisfactory anyway. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sports training & coaching   

Subjects:  1. Coaching    2. Coaching - Soccer    3. Soccer    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Soccer (Association football)    7. Sports & Recreation / Coaching / Soccer   

Subjects:  1. Italy    2. Popular culture    3. Soccer (Association football)   

Reviews (12)

Value system for life
Anson Dorrance provides an excellent framework to guide young adults in developing character, leadership and respect for others. This book is about much more than soccer...it is a guide for life.

A Coaching Must Have
If you are considering coaching at any level, this is a must read.Anson translates his passion for soccer into an enjoyable and easy read.His honesty regarding technique, strategy and motivation will improve anyone's coaching ability. Highly recommended.

Amazing!
This book is amazing. It is absolutly irresistable. A must read for all. Perfect insight. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation   

Reviews (3)

Great Coach - Average Book
This book is certainly not a "page-turner" and sometimes I barely wanted to open it, just looking forward to a more interesting coaching book.
Still dont know what it was about
This book is way to complicated and doesnt really do anything to get to success.It is all about high levels of soccer and nothing the normal coach can related to.

Michels Worthy of Title - "FIFA's Coach of The Century"
Rinus Michel's book, together with Bert Van Lingen's book "Coaching Soccer" provide the framework of the "Dutch Vision" of how to coach soccer.This book is a fantastic resource for any soccer coach at any level, any convenor at the youth soccer level, or any person tasked with administering a soccer program.Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)    6. Sports coaching   

Reviews (3)

One of the best
This is not a skill development book.This is a book for higher level coaches and players about the use of various tactics.The name of the book is misleading because the discussion of tactics and play goes well beyond zone tactics and delves into pressing, transition, mind training etc.Definitely one of the three top coaching books in my library, it gets steady referral when I am putting together practice plans.Outstanding.

It's a funny old game
Most definitely a book for experienced coaches and players; or the very knowledgable fan. Detailed descriptions and diagrams of drills. A great textbook for reference. Somewhat complicated to read, probably due to the translation from Italian. Worth persevering though for some of the novel ideas and concepts. One of the most interesting and challenging soccer manuals out there.

Not for the Beginners
This book is not for the average soccer-coaching-book buyer. This book gives an in-depth look at zone play in both the attack and the defense plus training to do so.This book would best be used no less than at the U-14/16 with experienced coaches. Angelo Pereni and Michele DiCesare had their book translated from Italian to English better that most translated books I've come across. However, beware that you will be reading a book written by aficionados to provoke thought as well tactics. For those who love chess as well as soccer, this is a great book. The book was first published as "Calico: II manuale tecnico e tattico dell'allentore".It was a pleasure reading a book coming from a culture where soccer is as big as the NFL, MBA and MLB combined. I will certainly be using the information from this book and look forward to a sequel as the game continues to evolve. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Soccer    2. Sports    3. Sports & Recreation    4. Training    5. Soccer (Association football)