Teaching Soccer Fundamentals

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding for beginner and experienced coaches alike.
Review: A study in how to teach soccer. Each section includes interesting games and drills that will allow you to teach players the fundamentals of the game, often without them realizing it. How to teach progression from elementary to advanced technical and tactical subjects. I have been through the book twice now and it is heavily highlighted. If you think you know everything, read this book and learn even more!

Rating:
Summary: A sohpisticated book on soccer coaching rich with humor.
Review: BOOK REVIEW As a soccer coach, you need to know how to teach basic skills and run solid practices. "Teaching Soccer Fundamentals" explains how to maximize young athletes' learning of essential techniques and tactics through fun and efficient practice sessions. The book is full of humor, a pleasant read, and teaches without being boring. Including helpful photographs and illustrations as well as instructions that are easy to understand and apply, this book shares more than 30 years of soccer coaching experience. Author Nelson McAvoy offers tips for maintaining kids' attention, having fun, and methods for boosting participation.

<QUOTE>"This book will help a coach develop a good foundation and basic coaching methodology. I recommend it for the coach of the adolescent player." <SOURCE>Jeff Tipping Director of Coaching National Soccer Coaches Association of America

<QUOTE>This is Nelson's 'McAvoyage' of studying and coaching soccer for over 30 years. His passion has taken him to many places and sources in his quest to learn about this great sport. It is what many coaches crave to do and that is find 'their way' reflecting both personality and ideas that dovetail into their world. Open this book and you enter Nelson's world. Enjoy both Nelson and his book. <SOURCE>Graham Ramsey Director, Education and Training, Maryland State Youth Soccer Association Former National Staff Coach for the USSF Coaching Schools

<QUOTE>"McAvoy expresses ideas which are of value to both the novice coach and experienced coach at the highest level." <SOURCE>Richard Broad President, American Soccer Program Soccer Coach, Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA Former men's soccer coach, George Mason University

Nelson McAvoy retired as a head scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and is now involved in what truly brings him joy, helping kids learn the game of soccer. Director of the Potomac Highlands Soccer Club, McAvoy has coached youth soccer in widely different locations, including Eastern Europe, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. He is a Scottish Football Association youth and club coach. He has also held a USSF B license for 25 years and holds an advanced national diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Rating:
Summary: The Man has a Plan
Review: In his book, Nelson McAvoy offers you a plan on how to teach young players the game of Soccer, rather then another book of drills. Unlike most books, he centers on the development of the child learning capibilities and how they learn to kick a ball. Then he explains how to teach it.

Through a step by step procedures, he develops the laces kick, then the inside of the foot push pass as the child learns how to turn their foot.

The book is filled with enough pictures, practice plans, and games to keep your youth team busy and learning in a fun environment.

I would recommend this book for any coach who is looking for the long term development of the youth player.

Rating:
Summary: Can't wait to get out there and use this!
Review: Nelson McAvoy briefly coached my sister, and was one of the best even back in the '70s. Every word in this book resonates with the experiences of what works and what doesn't. You'll learn just how much learning to mix in with the right amount of fun, and the book is chock full of drills that will train the players to act like a soccer player without thinking about it. I just know when I get out there on the field armed with this book that the kids are going to enjoy it enough to sign up next year, and are going to learn the game without realizing it because they're having a blast.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book for the thoughtful youth soccer coach
Review: Nelson McAvoy is a former rocket scientist who coaches youth soccer. He has thought and learned a lot about HOW kids learn to play soccer, and in this book he tells you about it clearly, entertainingly, and compellingly.

I don't have his experience in coaching kids in the 9-11 year-old range, but I still found the book invaluable, because now I know what I can and can't expect to accomplish with younger kids. I also understand how important it is to be a teacher, and how it can hurt the kids' development if you just "let them play" without introducing the right skills when they are ready to acquire them. Any coach who reads this book and doesn't become that kind of teacher for kids in that critical 9-11 year age group must not have been paying attention!

This one is a keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Teach the game
Review: Regardless of whether you know the game, if you want to learn more about how to teach the game, this is the book for you. I grew up playing, but starting coaching was a struggle to get the kids to understand -- until I bought this book 2 years ago. I still recommend it, and I still use it. This shows you what skills to start with and how to progress as the kids catch on. With the philosophies and games in this book you can keep the attention of your team for many many practices.

Rating:
Summary: Teach the game
Review: Regardless of whether you know the game, if you want to learn more about how to teach the game, this is the book for you. I grew up playing, but starting coaching was a struggle to get the kids to understand -- until I bought this book 2 years ago. I still recommend it, and I still use it. This shows you what skills to start with and how to progress as the kids catch on. With the philosophies and games in this book you can keep the attention of your team for many many practices.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for coaches of all age levels
Review: This is the best single soccer coaching book I have.

It is well-written with humor (he confirms something I've always suspected - when you are yelling at the kids during the game, it sounds to them like you're speaking Bulgarian).

I have used more drills and ideas from this book than any single other book.

I highly recommend this one.