Great Soccer Drills : The Baffled Parent's Guide (Paperback)

~ Thomas Fleck (Author), Ronald Quinn (Author) "Player development has become the primary goal of several national governing bodies in soccer, including the U.S. Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), American Youth Soccer Organization..." (more)
Key Phrases: goals rime, defending team, attacking team, All Equipment, Ball Stretching, None Time (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

A games-based alternative to tedious rote exercises, guaranteed to keep practices fun, engaging, and productive

Great Soccer Drills provides soccer coaches with a great way to make every soccer practice active, fun, and productive. Coaches get 125 games guaranteed to keep kids moving and excited while teaching them basic skills, sharpening their reflexes, and building their confidence and decision-making ability. Written by two of North America's foremost names in youth soccer coaching, it also includes guidelines on how to create just the right blend of drills to hold the attention of six- to twelve-year-old players.

Great Soccer Drills can be used in conjunction with the bestselling Coaching Youth Soccer: A Baffled Parent's Guide or as an excellent stand-alone resource for spicing up any practice.

From the Back Cover

"One of the most useful soccer books I've seen."--Dr. John McKeon, executive director (retired), National Soccer Coaches Association of America

"Young soccer players should be trained in an environment that is safe, fun, and has direct implications for the game. This book has 125 ways to do just that. I strongly recommend it to all parents and coaches."--Bob Gansler, head coach, Kansas City Wizards (2000 MLS Champions)

Did we say "drills"? Sorry, we meant games. That's right. Games that teach them more effectively than the tedious drills you endured as a kid. Games that challenge but do not frustrate them. Games that build rather than undermine a child's confidence and sense of involvement.

Great Soccer Drills contains 125 dynamic games and activities designed to keep your players moving, thinking, and most of all, having fun. The "games approach" to team practices allows you to teach soccer basics like ball control, movement, passing, and shooting while enhancing team communication and decision-making skills. You'll even learn a thing or two about coaching style, and how to make improvement--rather than winning or losing--the goal of your season.

• Learn creative activities that develop skills quickly and painlessly
• Use the Troubleshooting Chart to pinpoint problems
• Develop coordination, cooperation, and camaraderie among your players
• Design effective practices using the sample practices
• Create a positive attitude, build team spirit, and get along with parents
• Make practices fun and rewarding
• Match practices to age and ability

"Since my retirement, I have been coaching youth teams and have found the games approach presented in this book the only way to coach. A must for every youth soccer coach."--Andy Caruso, founder and former president, Kwik Goal

"Already regarded as national authorities on youth coaching and player development, Ron and Tom recently received international recognition when they addressed the European Coaches Association."--Jay Miller, former coach, U-17 National Team

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (June 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007138488X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071384889
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,301 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, not just drills, July 9, 2003

By A Customer

As a great follow-on to the original "Baffled Parent" beginner book from Bobby Clark, this one is much more than just practice games. It contains the type of wisdom you will hear in the USSF "D" and NCSAA Regional Diploma courses, so that the novice coach has more to go on than simply doing some game because it's in the book. It should help him/her to structure practices that make the players think, keep them active, and work towards a theme. It goes beyond telling them not to do the three "L"s (laps, lines, lectures) and gives them some tools so they know what they should do instead. I'm buying 150 of them for the coaches in our rec program. Also recommend the McAvoy and Luxbacher books.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great drills with no lines, August 3, 2006

By	Jamie "Jamie" (Danville, CA) - See all my reviews

This book has great drills involving the entire team so the kids don't have to stand in line waiting for their turn, getting antsy and goofing off. I'm coaching U12 boys and while I thought the first section of drills was a bit basic the rest were awesome. And looking back, the basic drills are good for warm-ups and fun, short little exercises. There's an index in the back that shows you which drills help with which skills. I highly recommend this book. I'm looking forward to putting the drills in action.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A huge help, October 25, 2005

By	Joseph S Marquette (Chagrin Falls, OH USA) - See all my reviews

If you've never played soccer but want to coach your son or daughter's team - buy this book. About the only place it comes up short is in teaching the really little ones (Kindergarten / 1st Grade...but it still helps) but all in all it's been an invaluable tool for me. I've used it for 5 years now and have lent it to several people. A very good buy.