Synopses & Reviews
"Whether you are baffled or not, you'll find this book essential reading."--Jim Sheldon, Executive Director, National Soccer Coaches Association of America
Coaching is simply another word for teaching."--Bobby Clark
Coach. You thought you were just going to sign up your child for the youth league. Now here you are a newly appointed coach. You didn't ask for it, but it happened anyway. Now you need help.
Don't despair. This complete guidebook will not only get you through it but will help you become the coach you'd like to be--the coach who can give those kids the sports experience they deserve. You've already taken a big step: you said "yes" to this important commitment. Congratulations. You'll have a great time, and Bobby Clark is here to help.
- Survive your first practice and first game
- Win over problem players--and parents
- Know what to do in game situations
- Reach all your players
- Work with girls and boys
- Match your drills and strategies to age and ability
- Make it fun and rewarding
- Be the coach you never had
- Generate enthusiasm
- Improve your players and your team
"Few people can compare to Bobby Clark as a player and a teacher of the game. It only makes sense that few books on coaching can compare to this book."--Mike Berticelli, Head Coach, University of Notre Dame Men's Soccer Team
"A valuable read for developing the next generation of American soccer stars."--Dr. Doug Semark, American Youth Soccer Organization
Synopsis
Written by soccer great and championship Stanford coach Bobby Clark, COACHING YOUTH SOCCER: THE BAFFLED PARENT'S GUIDE tells you how, starting at point zero, an uninitiated coach can meld kids into a team and help them enjoy one of the most rewarding experiences of their youth. (In the end, you may be the one who reaps the biggest reward, as you watch kids learn and grow in an experience they'll treasure for a lifetime.)
About the Author
Bobby Clark is director of men's and women's soccer at Stanford University, where he coached the men's varsity team to national runner-up in the NCAA Division I for 1998. A former coach of the New Zealand national team and for Dartmouth College, he began his coaching career while playing championship soccer in the Scottish professional league, when he served as youth coach for the Aberdeen Football Club. He honed his positive, teach-through-games approach to coaching soccer over a career that spans nearly 40 years. Bobby now lives on the Stanford campus with his wife, Betty. Their three children, Tommy, Jamie, and Jennifer, have all played or coached soccer professionally.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Bob Bradley
Preface: Fitba' is King
Introduction
1. Creating An Atmosphere of Good Habits
Establishing Yourself as Coach
Drills to Promote Good Habits on the Field
Questions and Answers
2. Before Hitting the Field: Soccer in a Nutshell
How Many on a Team?
Basic Rules
Modified Field Size and Rules
3. Setting Up the Season
Get Some Help
Meet the Parents
Establish Your Policies
Uniforms and Equipment
Questions and Answers
4. Essential Skills--and How to Teach Them
The Fundamentals
Getting Started
5. The Practice
Preparation Is Key
Format for Practice
6. Sample Practices
Basic Beginning Practice
Advanced Beginner Practice
Intermediate Practice
Advanced Intermediate Practice
Advanced Practice
Questions and Answers
7. Game Time
Rules of the Game
Game Basics
Running the Game
Taking Stock
Questions and Answers
8. Dealing with Parents and Gender Issues
The Role of the Parents
Addressing Gender Issues
Questions and Answers
9. Games and Drills
Warm-Up
Ball Handling
Passing and Receiving
Ball Control
Shooting
Heading
Goalkeeping
Attacking and Defending
Appendix
Official Soccer Field Features
Referee Signals
Glossary
Resources
Index
About the Author