Go For the Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life [Paperback]

Mia Hamm (Author), Aaron Heifetz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 25, 2000

For the more than seven million girls—from knobby-kneed tykes to high school and college stars—who are tearing across the country chasing a soccer ball and dreams of glory, there is one name that eclipses all others, male or female: Mia Hamm. With her cheetahlike acceleration and lightning-bolt shot, Hamm broke nearly every record in her sport, while galvanizing a whole generation of fans and players.

Go for the Goal is not only the inspiring story of how a tiny suburban sprite became a global terror with a ball (and the world) at her feet—it's also a step-by-step or dribble-by-dribble guide for any kid with the all-American dream of making the team and becoming a champion.

Filled with personal anecdotes and fully illustrated with both action and instructional photographs, Go for the Goal shows readers exactly how to master the silky skills and techniques that made Hamm and her teammates the finest women's soccer team in the world.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Mia Hamm, star of the U.S. National Soccer Team, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup champion, and five-time National Player of the Year, has a simple take on her talents that also explains her success: "Many people say I'm the best women's soccer player in the world. I don't think so. And because of that, someday I just might be." That's what's so appealing about Hamm as a role model, and it's the inspirational message at the heart of her autobiography. But Goal is only in part about herself--"There is no me in Mia," she suggests. Sure, she tells the story of the Army brat who rose to international stardom, but her book is really a pep talk and soccer instructional aimed at the hearts of the countless young women hoping to fill her enormous cleats. Mixing anecdote and opinion--she insists Kristine Lilly is the best player in the world, period--with lots of solid coaching and practical advice, Hamm breaks the game down into its essential skill components (trapping, passing, dribbling, shooting, heading, goaltending) and then addresses both the mental and physical aspects of the game in prose that talks up--not down--to her target readers. Photos (some to teach, some clearly to wow), diagrams (x's and o's of drills and plays), and tips from her teammates (Michelle Akers says, "There is a difference between a finisher and shooter.... The players who score tons of goals are the ones who can not only shoot but finish with deadly accuracy") help her cover the field, and Hamm scores additional points with the same contagious spirit she demonstrates every time she puts on her uniform. --Jeff Silverman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A must-read for any girl (or boy, for that matter) serious about soccer." -- --People

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: It Books; First Edition edition (July 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060931590
• ISBN-13: 978-0060931599
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 8.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,298 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Soccer

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I really loved this book and I will work to be a pro. November 15, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

She gives you a good idea on the game and how to win. She has been through some tough times and she is now telling you how you can survive those hard times. I am taking her advise and training to help me become a better soccer player, because my dream in life is to be a professional soccer player. I had this dream... almost half of my life. I want to thank Mia for writting this book and for helping me learn the best part of soccer is the emotions.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars About reaching your goals - in sports and in life... July 26, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book is focused toward the teenaged girls who are soccer fans and it does very well to communicate to them. It doesn't use overly complex vocabulary and avoids vague references to soccer history. You can get the message of this book without any knowledge of soccer. It's about the hard work, dedication and teamwork it takes to be a champion - both on and off the field. The downside, as is often the case with Hamm, is that it doesn't touch on her personal life much - the trials she faced as a teen coming up through the National Team program, losing her brother to disease, her marriage to a Marine pilot. It was also written prior to the Women's World Cup and doesn't discuss the sudden celebrity that the women's team achieved in mainstream America after winning the tournament.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Go For The Goal October 11, 2001

By Courtney

Format:Hardcover

This is an inspiring book, writen by one of the most famous women athletes of today. Mia Hamm wrote this book intending to help out young soccer players and give them great advice. She also including some of her teammates from the U.S. National Soccer Team, including Kristine Lilly, Michelle Akers and Tisha Venturini. This book gives you tips on drills to do during practice and also some tips on how to play with heart and dedication. This is a very easy to read book. She wrote it knowing that younger children would read it. In the back of the book there is a glossary of terminology used throughout the book the reader may not know. Myself growing up I've played soccer since I can remember. This book has helped me a lot throughout the process of organizing an all-girls' soccer team at my school. I would greatly encourage any girl (or boy) who just started playing soccer or who is a veteran of the game to pick up a copy of this book and read it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Go For The Goal is for all huge fans of Mia Hamm and soccer July 7, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I bought Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide to Winning in Soccer and Life just yesterday and I finished it today. I personally think it's an amazing book and if you're a huge Mia Hamm fan like I am you'll love it. She covers some of the most important things about the game. It is really inspirational. Just by reading all the tips and techniques in the book I've improved my game. I hope it does the same for you. I encourage you to buy Go For The Goal because it's one of the best soccer books. Mia Hamm did an excellent job.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Inspiring book for teenage girls November 22, 2000

By Dana

Format:Hardcover

This book was the most inspiring book I have ever read. It gives you a mind set for when your on the field your ON the field. And when you're ready to get on there you've got to have your game face on. Me, being an ODP player and my soccer team won the state cup last year and our team was less than a year old, then went to regionals and were undefeated, this book taught me a lot on how to be a better teammate. It taught me to get on that field and practice sprints even with my speed that i've been gifted with because people will catch up, you must take risks to be and winner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mia Hamm-SoccerPlayer/Writer December 26, 1999

By Steph

Format:Hardcover

Mia Hamm's book, "Goal For The Goal," is the best book I have read. It helps all soccer players improve their game, by showing training drills and it has great advice that motivates players. Mia Hamm and the rest of the Women's National team are my role models. Mia Hamm, to me wrote this book perfectly, and anyone who wants to play soccer or plays soccer already should read this book. It will inspire you to do so much more than you already can do.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as I expected September 23, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I was a little disappointed to learn, after starting the book, that it is really geared for kids/teens. (It makes reference to "your parents" letting you watch soccer on TV.) I would have liked to know that before I bought it. Also, she really seems to stress the importance of mastering specific skills and doing repetitious drills at a very young age. As the coach of a 9-year-old girls team, I really believe that stressing drills, albeit to develop important skills, at this point in their development would bore them and potentially drive their interests elsewhere. For nine year olds, the most important thing is to keep it fun, so they keep coming back. After reading all the other glowing reviews, I guess I expected a little more.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring! January 17, 2000

By [e-mail]

Format:Hardcover

This was a great book for those of you who like to play soccer. It mainly talks about technique and skill for the game but still talks about the National Team and there sporstmanship towards each other. I find this team inspiring! Watching WOMEN play and win like that make you shiver. This just goes to show you that anything is possble if you work hard enough at it! So this book was great and I recommed it to everone!