Customer Reviews

The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having played in college, coached many youth teams, and read many books on coaching soccer, I can honestly say, THIS IS THE BEST BOOK AROUND. It contains, 1. simple, effective ways to organize a practice. 2. loads and loads of common sense. Your players will improve, having fun at the same time. Your confidence as a coach will soar with Coach Clark at your right hand.

This book is truly all inclusive for the new or beginning coach. If you have to pick just one book to help you coach soccer pick this one. I am getting a fairly large soccer library and this is the best I've seen as a teach everything book.

This is a wonderful guide to involving kids in soccer and teaching them the fundamentals of the game. I have been coaching my son's team for three seasons now, and this book has really changed my approach. I used coach Clark's drills and techniques this summer and watched the kids become more engaged in the sessions and improve their skills. Coach Clark has a uniquely effective approach to teaching children.

Coach Clark tells you what you need to know, and how to make your players have fun. Which is why they're playing soccer, right?

We tried out Bobby Clark's methods starting halfway through a rather disappointing season, and saw it start to pay off within 4 weeks. Our kids stopped looking at the ball in games and started going after it instead, and they were clearly having more fun in practice. Even if you don't use exactly his drills - and he has some excellent ones - you can and should apply his philosophy.

This is a good book for anyone's soccer library, but is particularly helpful for new coaches and coaches of younger players.

I had seen this book on the shelf at B/N several times, but never pulled it off the shelf, as I am not a 'Baffled Parent', but coach H.S., premier, travel soccer. I attended a clinic given by Coach Clarke, and a fellow coach showed me the book. Inside are GREAT games for kids to enjoy! This is what you're looking for, whether you're a first time coach, or a coach who wants to loosen up practice for the more serious players.

On the back cover it states, 'Be the coach you wanted to play for'. Well here it is. Kids LOVE the games and they'll be showing up to practice running and smiling!

5*'s aren't high enough. Also recommend the second book by Tom Fleck and Ron Quinn

Recruited to help out with our town's first year in soccer, I ended up coaching the 1st & 2nd grade team. I knew nothing about soccer and this book helped me learn enough to keep ahead of that age level and give them fun drills to do each practice. I really liked how it was geared to the beginning coach and the younger player age levels.

Wow, I have never read a book like this before.

I think this book is a must for EVERY coach, and EVERY parent. As I moved through the chapters I was continually amazed that someone could make coaching seem so easy, so fun. In addition there is also a lot of common sense approaches on how to handle difficult situations that a coach will face, including playing time, parent input, gender issues etc. I feel like I am armed with a coaching weapon. I can't wait for next season.

I was drafted to coach my daughter's soccer team (1st and 2nd grade), this book has been invaluable. I played soccer in high school, thus I knew the traditional drills. I was completely unaware of all the fun games that could be used to team the sport. This is the only book you need to plan fun practices. The 6 and 7 year old kids do not get the full benefit of some of the games because they are just learning to play soccer, after all some still don't know right from left. The practice plans work very well, keeps them fun, and the kids do learn. Highly recommended.

Bobby Clark should write books for a living - not coach soccer. His writing style is engaging, and his grasp on a child's psych is excellent. Using this book as a guide helped us see vast improvements in our kid's skills on a weekly basis. As a first year coach (teaching first year soccer players) Coaching Youth Soccer was a life-saver!

I've already purchased or recommended this book for three other coaches. If your baffled, you won't be for long. This is the book to start out with.

This book is amazing no matter what sport you coach. I wish I had this book several years ago when I was coaching basketball. Lots of book teach drills, but this book gives you insight on how to really run a practice. I can't wait to try out these techniques.