Customer Reviews

Soccer for Dummies

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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

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.

If you have never played soccer this book might be 'just' OK for you. The book gives some basics of the game but then completely skips tactics and goes into all the different league types in the USA and the 10 best world players and than 10 best US players and then does reviews of certain great games. But once it lists the basics it misses tactics and goes straight to soccer History. If you play the game try the 'usborne soccer school' booklets instead. They're short but at least well written. I've bought 10 'For Dummies' books and have never been disappointed till now!

Soccer For Dummies is an excellent introduction for anyone who wants to understand the game of soccer. This book covers every aspect of the game, from the rules and the equipment used all the way up to soccer strategies and formations. This work also provides detailed information about international soccer and soccer clubs. The only improvement I could suggest for this book is that some of the illustrations are not helpful and that certain rules are not illustrated (the offsides rules definitely needs an illustration or two).

This is the first time I have reviewed a book for Amazon. I am doing this because I consider this book to be 100% garbage.

If you are looking for a book full of annoying cross references (i.e. see page 118; see page 73) and for a book which repeats the same quotes or phrases in different chapters (was there really no editor?) BUY THIS BOOK.

Also, if you are looking for cheap tid-bits and trivia about the US women's soccer team (was it really necessary to write three times about one female ripping her shirt off after a goal?) BUT THIS BOOK.

If you want to have a general overview about the rules of Soccer but want nothing of strategy, technique, training, then BUY THIS BOOK. (or why not just go to the FIFA website and download the same rules which make up 50% of this book)

But if you want to learn how to play or coach soccer, forget it. This book is a COMPLETE waste of time.

I bought this book for my husband because my son started Soccer for the 1st time and my husband has no clue about the sport. He says that this book has helped him out a lot in understanding the game!

it will get you started understanding soccer and offer opinions on great teams and their players.

I knew nothing about soccer and was tasked with coaching a U-6 team. This book was a great tool in introducing me to the world of soccer. There are a lot of great suggestions about how to play and coach. I think the next book I buy will be "Coaching Soccer for Dummies". (I didn't know this one existed until after I bought the former.) "Soccer for Dummies" is great for anyone interested in soccer, from the player to the soccer moms and dads.

I've just become a fan of the English Premier and Spanish leagues. I had no idea of how good or how "big" the sport was. I've been devouring all the information I can get my hands on. This book should be part of a new fans library.