Soccer for Dummies [Paperback]

Inc. United States Soccer Federation (Author), Michael Lewis (Author), Alexi Lalas (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 2000

“Entertaining, very informative, and essential for parents, fans, and players.”
—Tony DiCicco, Head Coach, 1999 Women’s Cup Champions

“Two thumbs up.... This book will broaden your knowledge of the game.”
—Ron Newman, all-time winningest American Soccer Coach

“This book will help people to understand why soccer is the world’s sport and why we love it so much.”
—Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward, U.S. Women’s National Team

“Fans will love it, and those who want to become fans will devour it.”
—Bob Ley, ESPN/ABC Broadcaster

Simplicity alone doesn’t explain soccer’s enormous popularity worldwide. Soccer is a game that can be as frustrating as golf, as physical as football and hockey, as sporadic as baseball, and as graceful as basketball. It can also be addictive. Whether you are a youth league player, a soccer parent, or a World Cup fan, here, at last, is the book you’ve been waiting for. Written by New York Daily News soccer columnist Michael Lewis with the full support and participation of the United States Soccer Federation, Soccer For Dummies shows you how to:

• Get a handle on soccer rules and regulations
• Learn the basic moves and plays
• Improve dribbling, passing, and other basic skills
• Find a league to play in
• Coach kids effectively
• Get more out of the game as a spectator

Featuring expert tips from U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Team stars and packed with hundreds of action photos and illustrations, Soccer For Dummies is the ultimate beginner’s guide to the sport. You’ll discover:

• The where and wear of soccer
• Laws of the game
• Footwork, passing, shooting, receiving, goal tending, and other game fundamentals
• Staying in soccer shape
• Teamwork and strategy
• Coaching youth soccer
• Everything the informed spectator should know
• The current state of soccer at all levels from youth leagues to geriatric leagues

Get Soccer For Dummies and get the lowdown on the world’s most popular sport from some of its most celebrated players.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

From the explosion of youth and adult leagues to the growing fan base for men's and women's professional teams and World Cup competition, soccer -- the world's most popular sport -- has hit the big time in America. Soccer For Dummies explains all the nuances, rules, and regulations!

About the Author

United States Soccer Federation, Inc., is the national governing body for soccer in the U.S. Michael Lewis is an award-winning journalist who has covered soccer for more than 20 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (May 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764552295
• ISBN-13: 978-0764552298
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Soccer

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR SOCCER-CHALLENGED PARENTS!, June 15, 2000

By 

Nolan P. Clark (Kaiserslautern, Germany) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soccer for Dummies (Paperback)

This is the best soccer guide I've found yet! It begins with basics (rules, positions, equipment) that really helped this soccer dummy feel at ease with the game. It progresses through the fundamentals to excellent instruction on preparing and coaching, and includes additional information that will make the game more enjoyable to watch as well. The 28 chapters and two appendices are well organized into seven sections: Getting Started, Fundamentals of the Game, Calling All Soccer Moms and Dads, A Spectator's Guide, From Saturday Soccer to the World Stage, The Part of Tens (which includes several soccer "top ten" lists that help you "talk the talk"), and Appendices (a glossary and a list of soccer associations). The book is well illustrated with all the photos and diagrams needed to learn to perform those essential, parental soccer duties. It also includes useful annotations of tips and warnings (injury prevention, player's tips, etc.) you need to know. The 16-page index allows this book to be useful as a field guide as well. As a soccer-challenged father with four daughters, I love this book. It is helping turn what was a chore into quality time with my girls.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soccer for Spectators, October 13, 2005

By 

PHILIP E. TRACY - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soccer for Dummies (Paperback)

An excellent refresher for those out-of-touch with soccer as well as for those just learning the game. As the parent of a former high school and college soccer player, but that was a few years back, I thought I knew the game. Now with 4 grandchildren playing, I wanted a easy-to-read refresher. This is it. I applaud the writer and encourage all who are players, or spectators, to spend a few evenings with this easy, and fun to read, book. It is very well done.

Phil

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro for newcomers; solid content for veterans, February 19, 2001

By 

David Litterer (Brattleboro, VT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soccer for Dummies (Paperback)

Carries on the excellent tradition of the "for dummies" books: offers solid content and information for veteran soccer afficionados while organized as a well-written, well rounded introduction for the novice. Gives comprehensive overviews about all aspects of the game -- rules, strategies, the world of professional soccer (the leagues, tournaments, events), as well as an excellent history of the game and its development. It's refreshing to see a book for newcomers that doesn't strip things down - there is a wealth of well-researched information here that is useful for the experienced fan or participant.