The Champion Within [Paperback]

Lauren Gregg (Author), Tim Nash (Author), Brett Whitesell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

The most comprehensive book on women's soccer ever compiled. Contributions come from every member of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team, including Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry and a foreword by Mia Hamm.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lauren Gregg has been the assistant coach of the US Women's National team for more than a decade. She is considered one of the top women coaches in the world. In The Champion Within, Gregg draws on her years of experience in developing players to teach the process of becoming a champion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: J T C Sports Inc; 1 edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887791078
• ISBN-13: 978-1887791076
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #949,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wanna be a better coach? This book is "the one.", November 7, 1999

By 

Daniel (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Champion Within (Paperback)

Didja see "The Matrix"? When Neo saves Trinity from the helicopter crash, and then the Operator says, "He is the one." That's how I felt about this book. Every page has useful information. How to be competitive. Sports psychology. Fitness drills. Tactics. Inspiring quotes from current and previous National Team members. Practical information on sports injuries. An essay on how to watch a soccer game (an important skill in itself for developing players). On and on. I lost sleep reading this book. Probably 30-40% of this book is appropriate for a player or coach in any sport, but there is plenty of soccer-specific information also. I am very happy with my purchase.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Graduate Studies, June 8, 2000

By 

jeff neal (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Champion Within (Paperback)

Absolutely the best book I've ever read on coaching. This is not soccer 101. It's 451G. I found things in the Psychological Section that I've never seen anywhere else. Dittos for the chapter on Reserves(Subs). The sideboxes, written by the leaders in the sport, really add a personal touch that any young player should be able to relate to. Absolute must read for any player that is serious about the game.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Soccer Book Ever, December 11, 2001

By 

Nicole (Lafayette, Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Champion Within (Paperback)

Lauren Gregg's "The Champion Within" is filled with realistic knowledge about how to become the best soccer player you can be. This nonfiction book contains inspiring insights from current and previous National Team members. Lauren uses experts in each field to handle ever aspect of the game of soccer. It is also full of special lessons for the athlete and coach. The champions reveal their secrets, how they organized their training and the challenges they overcame along the way. Every page has useful information, like how to be competitive, sports psychology, fitness drills, and tactics. Carin Jennings Gabarra's describes the quatlities of a champion, "A champion is someone who trains when no one is watching," (Gregg xvii). This is just one of many inspiring quotes writen by the leaders in the sport, which really add a personal touch that any young player should be able to relate to. Lauren's belief, and the premise behind successful teams,is that players have a responsibitlity for their own developlement. In her book she provides essential information about training that can be done on your own. It is a comprehensive and innovative soccer training book, desighed specifically for the athlete. The theme is about taking responsibility for perosnal development, that the ability and responsibility for greatness rests with the individual player.
For me this book was hard to put down. I lost sleep over this book. "The Champion Within" is by far the best instructional and inspirational guide to the game of soccer I have ever read. It lets you know that with hard work and dedication you can achieve you goals no matter how high they may be. The book also lets you know what kind of hard work and dedication you must have depending on what you are striving for. I will remember and apply the information in this book in my daily life. I cannot think of one thing I would change from how Lauren Gregg constructed this book. For me, it is absolutely perfect in every aspect.
If you are serious about playing or caoching soccer this is a must read. Probably 30-40% fo this book is appropriate for a player of caoch in any spor, but there is definately plenty of soccer-specific information also. "The Champion Within" is a book for the individuals who are willing to work hard to succeed. This book enpowers players to organize their environments, make approriate choices and understand the scope of what is involed in training for excellence.Lauren Gregg's "The Champion Within" is filled with realistic knowledge about how to become the best soccer player you can be. This nonfiction book contains inspiring insights from current and previous National Team members. Lauren uses experts in each field to handle every aspect of the game of soccer. It is also full of special lessons for the athlete and coach. The champions reveal their secrets, how they organized their training and the challenges they overcame along the way. Every page has useful information, like how to be competitive, sports psychology, fitness drills, and tactics. Carin Jennings Gabarra describes the qualities of a champion; "A champion is someone who trains when no one is watching," (Gregg xvii). This is just one of many inspiring quotes written by the leaders in the sport, which really add a personal touch that any young player should be able to relate to. Lauren's belief, and the premise behind successful teams, is that players have a responsibility for their own development. In her book she provides essential information about training that can be done on your own. It is a comprehensive and innovative soccer training book, designed specifically for the athlete. The theme is about taking responsibility for personal development, that the ability and responsibility for greatness rests with the individual player.
For me, this book was hard to put down. "The Champion Within" is by far the best instructional and inspirational guide to the game of soccer I have ever read. It lets you know that with hard work and dedication you can achieve you goals no matter how high they may be. I will remember and apply the information in this book in my daily life. I cannot think of one thing I would change from how Lauren Gregg constructed this book. For me, it is absolutely perfect in every aspect.
If you are serious about playing or coaching soccer, "The Champion Within" is a must read. Probably 30-40% of this book is appropriate for a player or coach in any sport, but there is definitely plenty of soccer-specific information also. "The Champion Within" is a book for the individuals who are willing to work hard to succeed. This book enpowers players to organize their environments, make appropriate choices and understand the scope of what is involved in training for excellence.