How to Play the Game

How to Play the Game-- The Official Playing and Coaching Manual of the United States Soccer Federation

by Bobby Howe (Editor), Steve Sampson (Introduction), Dan Herbst (Author), U.S. Soccer staff (Compiler)

Amazon.com
Soccer continues to grow in popularity in the United States, with another huge surge thanks to the U.S. Women's Team winning the World Cup in 1999. But players can only be as good as their coaches, and coaches are always looking for help. Soccer: How to Play the Game contains detailed information on necessary skills, from basics like dribbling the ball and throw-ins to advanced skills like sliding tackles and goalkeeping. Each is presented separately, with photographs and drawings of a player executing the skill, advice on how to perform it and when to use it, and most common mistakes. Over 100 practice games, coded for different player ages and levels of instruction, are also outlined to help players develop their technique. Throughout the book, the authors stress the need to create a positive environment in practice and encourage creativity as well as technical correctness. Most importantly, the authors understand that kids are not just small adults--and they back up their understanding with advice on how to help kids fall in love with "the beautiful game." Published under the auspices of the United States Soccer Federation, Soccer: How to Play the Game will inspire coaches and players alike. --Sunny Delaney

Book Description
The official playing and coaching manual for youth soccer of the United States Soccer Federation.

The definitive playing and coaching manual for youth soccer. Compiled by the coaching, educational and technical staff of U.S. Soccer, this book offers extensive information on all aspects of the game, technique, tactics, laws, prevention and care of injury, coaching preparation, organizational structure, model training sessions, and more than 100 practice games suitable for developing aspects of every player's game.

Features numerous games for developing dribbling * passing * finishing * heading * defending * goalkeeping, as well as games specifically for young beginners * games to teach tactics * overall soccer decision-making.

Extensive technique section offers detailed pointers on dribbling and turning moves * shielding * passing * receiving * drives * chips, bending the ball and volleys * heading * marking * tackling * goalkeeping catches * dives and saves.

Tactical chapters offer detailed information on fundamental attacking tactics * defensive principles * restart tactics for defensive and offensive success.

Model training sections construct excellent practice sessions, from warmup through cool down exercises * useful for all coaches as a guide to improving performance * efficiency * enjoyment of training.

Coaching Youth Soccer - A review of the book, Coaching Youth Soccer: A Baffled Parent's Guide, by Bobby Clark

Great Soccer Drills - A review of the book, Great Soccer Drills : The Baffled Parent's Guide, by Thomas Fleck (Author), Ronald W. Quinn (Author)

Kids Book of Soccer - A review of the book, Kids Book of Soccer: Skills, Strategies, and the Rules of the Game, by Brooks Clark

Beckham - A review of the book, Beckham : Both Feet on the Ground, by David Beckham (Author), Tom Watt (Author)

Offside - A review of the book, Offside: Soccer and American Exceptionalism., by Andrei S. Markovits (Author), Steven L. Hellerman (Author)

The Vision of a Champion - A review of the book, The Vision of a Champion: Advice and Inspiration from the World's Most Successful Women's Soccer Coach, by Anson Dorrance, Gloria Averbuch, Mia Hamm

The Soccer Coaching Bible - A review of the book, The Soccer Coaching Bible, by National Soccer Coaches Associatin of America

Soccer Practice Games - A review of the book, Soccer Practice Games, by Joe Luxbacher

Go For the Goal - A review of the book, Go For the Goal : A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life, by Mia Hamm (Author), Aaron Heifetz (Author)

On the Field With...Mia Hamm - A review of the book, On the Field With...Mia Hamm, by Matt Christopher (Author)

My Life and the Beautiful Game - A review of the book, My Life and the Beautiful Game: The Autobiography of Pele, by Pele, Robert L. Fish

Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer - A review of the book, Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer, by Alan Hargreaves

Soccer for Dummies - A review of the book, Soccer for Dummies, by Inc. United States Soccer Federation (Author), Michael Lewis (Author), Alexi Lalas (Author)

The Champion Within - A review of the book, The Champion Within, by Lauren Gregg (Preface), Tim Nash (Contributor), Brett Whitesell

Soccer Systems & Strategies - A review of the book, Soccer Systems & Strategies, by Birger Peitersen, Jens Bangsbo

The Soccer Goalkeeping Handbook - A review of the book, The Soccer Goalkeeping Handbook, by Alex Welsh

Conditioning for Soccer - A review of the book, Conditioning for Soccer, by Joe Luxbacher, Joseph A. Luxbacher, Jim Luxleacher

The Coaching Philosophies of Louis van Gaal and the Ajax Coaches - A review of the book, The Coaching Philosophies of Louis van Gaal and the Ajax Coaches, by Henny Kormelink, Tjeu Seeverens

Complete Conditioning for Soccer - A review of the book, Complete Conditioning for Soccer, by Sigi Schmid, Robert Alejo, Bob Alejo

The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Soccer - A review of the book, The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Soccer, by Robert Price, Maryanne Haselow-Dulin (Editor), Robert G. Price

Futebol - A review of the book, Futebol : Soccer, by Alex Bellos (Author)

Ronaldo (Champion Sport Biographies) - A review of the book, Ronaldo (Champion Sport Biographies), by Joseph Romain (Editor), Mark Paddock

The World Encyclopedia of Soccer - A review of the book, The World Encyclopedia of Soccer: A Complete Guide to the Beautiful Game, by Tom Macdonald, Rab Macwilliam