The Soccer Starter: Your Guide to Coaching Young Players

Soccer is the fastest growing sport in America: almost nine million children between the ages of six and eleven play, making it second in that age group behind basketball. But because of its only recent explosion in popularity, many coaches are about as inexperienced as the children on their teams. Directed toward the inexperienced soccer coach, but useful for anyone interested in improving their coaching (and players') abilities, this work addresses both the physical and mental aspects of the game. It provides a detailed overview of the fundamental skills of controlling, shielding, defending, turning, feinting, dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending, and gives keys to smart play and sportsmanship for coaches and players. It also provides tips for: adapting the game to different age groups, structuring and running practices, getting the most out of each match, and answering the most common questions asked by coaches and parents. Illustrations and diagrams supplement the text.