Coaching Youth Soccer: The European Model [Paperback]

Kevin McShane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

The popularity of youth soccer in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. The number of players and spectators has risen and soccer now rivals the more traditional American sports of baseball, basketball, and football. This work is a study of current youth soccer training methods at professional clubs in Europe-where soccer is an extremely competitive sport-and a guide to applying those methods to young people in the United States. The author draws much of his information from personal observation of the FC Barcelona, Newcastle United, Glasgow Celtic, Munich 1860, and Slavia Prague professional teams in Europe, and provides an overview of the state of youth soccer in the United States. Chapters cover such topics as facilities, equipment, organization, and environment, player evaluation, training timetables and components, coaching, and philosophies of youth soccer. Also included are approximately 100 diagrams of soccer training exercises for youth coaches.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kevin McShane is the head soccer coach at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. He lives in Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786410884
• ISBN-13: 978-0786410880
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,409,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coaching Youth Soccer: The European Model, March 25, 2002

By 

HC (Travelers Rest, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Coaching Youth Soccer: The European Model (Paperback)

Mr. McShane has produced a work that will, I think, have a profound effect on how the elite youth players in the United States are trained. He has done intensive research on how the most successful player development systems operate and has written a book designed to clearly define the essential elements of their training. If you have involvment with the development of potentionaly elite players, you should read this book.

0 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book kicks, November 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Coaching Youth Soccer: The European Model (Paperback)

McShane is the real deal when it comes to coaching soccer. I highly recommend his instructional and informative book. I do wish that he sought out the mighty Arsenal Football Club as a resource. I'm sure Thierry Henry could have added some poignant insights on the game. My only other complaint regarded the fact that there were no chapters on soccer video games. I feel that these games not only serve to develop hand-eye coordination and lot of good material for "smack-talk," but also instill confidence (albeit false) in one's outdoor performance. Nonetheless, this is a fine read for the lads. Go STA! Go Arsenal! and GO SOX!