Customer Reviews

The Vision of a Champion: Advice and Inspiration from the World's Most Successful Women's Soccer Coach

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Recently, I was sidelined in hospital, and my team bought me the book. I read it cover to cover twice, taking notes the second time.

Anson Dorrance has proven to be the guru for Womens soccer coaching in the United States. Some of the people he has shaped is a "Who's who" of soccer: Tony DiCiccio, Lauren Gregg, Kristine Lilly, Lorrie Fair, Cindy Parlow.... and some girl named Mia.

The book is written for players, but it is a MUST for any coach of girls, soccer or otherwise. In addition to talking about strengths and weaknesses in the current Womens game, he talks about the psychology of the team and player. He gives a no - holds barred insight into Tar Heel soccer, down to preseason drills, peaking cycles, intensity training and offseason training. It is all written in plain english that anyone can understand.

The entire UNC program is in here for all to examine. His thoughts on everything from his approach to injuries and resting players to recruiting players and demands for (scarce) scholarship money. He gives a good insight on the subject of soccer and scholarships that I wasn't aware of.

I highly recommend this book. It would be a bargain at twice the price. If you plan on playing Division I soccer, this book gives a good expectation of what the #1 program in the country looks for.

Don't know anything about Anson Dorrance personally, but I love his books. There is so much great information. He really conveys his philosophy of how to become a great soccer player, and how a player should conduct themselves in high school and college. I enjoyed this book from a coach/parent standpoint, but I really think high-school age players could benefit from this as well.

This book is amazing. It is absolutly irresistable. A must read for all. Perfect insight.

This is a wonderful book about soccer and training, and the mental toughness girls possess that will help them all through life. This book will also help any parent who struggles with the proper involvement level with a soccer-daughter, and the reinforcement needed to help make the correct choices as she evolves with the game of soccer.

This book also gives extraordinary attention to the evolution of leadership roles for females, and the developement of these leadership skills in all young women.

There were hundreds of times i wanted to read passsages or paragraphs to each of my soccer-daughters after i was brought to near tears by the passages of empowerment and success for female athletes.

I am a professional youth soccer coach, with my own company. I also played semi-professional soccer in my native England. I read this book--twice--and was so impressed, I bought 50 copies for my players. I have loved the flair of this game all of my life. My emphasis as a coach is bringing that love of the game, with all of its skill, to American youth soccer. This book communicates the essence of the game, and more, it's a great guide for soccer and life!

After reading this book, it's no wonder that many of the women trained by Anson Dorrance are wonderful role models as well as amazing soccer artists. The game of soccer is not just about good technique, but also how the female soccer player develops into a responsible person, challenging herself physically, mentally, socially and emotionally. Dorrance and Averbuch have combined here to write the definitive work on growing a soccer player. This book is for the players, their parents and their coaches. If there is anyone who believes that coaching girls is no different than boys-this will prove otherwise. Bravo to the authors!

I am a professional youth soccer coach, with my own company. I also played semi-professional soccer in my native England. I read this book--twice--and was so impressed, I bought 50 copies for my players. I have loved the flair of this game all of my life. My emphasis as a coach is bringing that love of the game, with all of its skill, to American youth soccer. This book communicates the essence of the game, and more, it's a great guide for soccer and life!

This is a story about someone who is passionate about building a team and building character. It is inspiring to read about Anson Dorrance's own search for excellence in his field and in the lives of the young women who play for him. Bravo to all those involved in producing this excellent book!

Between Training Soccer Champions and the Vision of a Champion Coach Dorrance has done much to help me articulate the intuitions I had when I began coaching three years ago about the value of soccer in bringing people together and teaching them to live more authentically and passionately--unworried about mistakes. Certainly my players are better off thanks to this book's advice. Although it's written with players and players' parents in mind, as well, I highly recommend it to anyone who coaches and, in particular, those who coach girls.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It is beautifully written and a complete inspiration. I feel fortunate to have the guidance presented in this book. It is fantastic.