The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer [Mass Market Paperback]

D.W. Crisfield (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: December 1, 1998

You're no idiot, of course. You've seen the World Cup games and know that soccer is one of the most popular and exciting team sports in America today. But when it comes to playing soccer and understanding the nuances of the game, you feel like you've been hit on the head by the ball once too often. Don't hang up your sneakers yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer provides you with detailed instructions so you can join in the competitive action--or know exactly what's going on from the sidelines. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You're no idiot, of course. You've seen the World Cup games and know that soccer is one of the most popular and exciting team sports in America today. But when it comes to playing soccer and understanding the nuances of the game, you feel like you've been hit on the head by the ball once too often. Don't hang up your sneakers yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer provides you with detailed instructions so you can join in the competitive action--or know exactly what's going on from the sidelines. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get:

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1 edition (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028627253
• ISBN-13: 978-0028627250
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Soccer

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs a referee reviewer, July 21, 2001

By 

A. Lee (Davis, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer (Mass Market Paperback)

A review by a referee would have caught several mistakes in certain "legalities"...

She says "The end lines are also sometimes referred to as goal lines..." The actual name of that line is the goal line. She says the lines on the sides of the field are "called sidelines (although they are sometimes referred to as touchlines)". The actual name of that line is the touchline.

The correct names of the lines of the field are to be found in the FIFA "Laws of the Game" (the rules that govern soccer worldwide). If you want to play the game, learn to use the correct terminology of the game.

She says the height of the corner flags is a maximum of 5 feet. It's supposed to be a "minimum" of 5 feet. It's a safety issue...you don't want a player stabbing himself on a short flag.

Her explanation of the important Offside law is incorrect. To begin with, the name of the infraction is "offside" (there is no "s" at the end). What she says states as the offside rule is actually the definition of "offside position," which is not illegal. There's no discussion of "offside position" and "participation". There's no mention of at what point the offside judgement is made or of the exceptions to the offside law.

Alan Lee AYSO Referee and Referee Instructor

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RIGHT right right right right!, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer (Mass Market Paperback)

As a new youth soccer coach, I was looking for a book that would give me quick and easy guidance on understanding soccer and also give me some excellent tips on coaching. This book was perfect! It provided a tremendous amount of information without getting too detailed in any specific area. The book begins with the basics and then takes you through the rules, formations, and strategies. It then provides wonderful information for coaches and parents by discussing training, drills, and ways to run a successful practice. As an athlete, I have read many books on the teaching of sports and this is one of the best. The author injects humor and quick fun facts throughout to keep it very interesting. If you are a new soccer coach, a parent of a child playing soccer, or just want to learn about soccer, this book is excellent. As for the review from the reader from Canada, he is not accurate. Remember, except for hockey, Canada has a dreadful reputation in sports - soccer included.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Guide to Soccer!, November 27, 1999

By 

Linda O'Malley (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this outstanding book before embarking on my first soccer coaching experience. Although I played competitive soccer for twelve years, I thought I should get updates on any changes as well as get some coaching tips. This book was perfect! It's extremely well written, accurate, and informative. In addition, the layout is easy to navigate, and the glossary and index make finding answers to questions a breeze. I would recommend this book to a wide variety of people, from coaches, to players, to soccer moms, to soccer trivia fans. A great book!