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In this article, we have reviewed the best Football/Soccer coaching books for sports coaches and teachers.
Whether you are an experienced football/soccer coach or new to coaching, this review is for you. The books reviewed in this article are:
- Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly: How to Become a Better Communicator
- The Soccer Academy: 140 Overload Games and Finishing Practices
- Deliberate Soccer Practice: 50 Small-Sided Football Games to Improve Decision-Making
- The Expected Goals Philosophy: A Game-Changing Way of Analysing Football
- Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United
- Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer
- The Modern Soccer Coach: Position-Specific Training
You may also be interested in our review of the Best GPS Sports Vests or articles on sports coaching techniques and strategies in our Sports Coaching Learning Centre.
Gold Dust: How to Become a More Effective Coach, Quickly: How to Become a Better Communicator
No matter what sports you coach, this book is powerful, inspiring and thought provoking. The book provides a great overview of what makes an effective and inspiring coach, no matter whether you are an experienced sports coach or a recently qualified sports coach. The book provides strategies on how coaches can improve their athletes learning and performance. David Mayer and Keith Mayer have clearly thought about what makes an effective coach and you will find yourself reflecting on your current practice.
The Soccer Academy: 140 Overload Games and Finishing Practices
This book is ideal for coaches who are new to football/soccer and need an easy to use step by step football/soccer games and practices. One real strength of the book is that each practice has clear goals and objectives. Saving time and resources when planning your coaching sessions. Additionally the practices can be used to work on certain areas within a games, such as passing or counter attacking.
Deliberate Soccer Practice: 50 Small-Sided Football Games to Improve Decision-Making
This book provides a wide variety of different small-sided football/soccer games. Providing simple instructions enabling you to begin to use the different games to teach your players tactics and awareness. If you are new to football/soccer coaching, this book should be on your list.
The Expected Goals Philosophy: A Game-Changing Way of Analysing Football
Expected Goals or xG to some is a new topic. This book provides a basic overview of how people are reviewing and analysing football/soccer using Expected Goals. This book is based upon theories used in gambling and talent seeking and is written to give an overview of how this theory can/is being used within sport. Whilst it may not be suitable for all, we feel it is necessary to include it in our list.
Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United
This book is one our favourites and should be read by all sports coaches. The book provides an insight into Alex Ferguson’s leadership styles and how he managed and led arguably one of the most successful football/soccer teams in recent years. It has also featured in our article on the Best Autobiographies in Sports Leadership. The book will not only develop your football knowledge but will also make you reflect and adapt your current leadership style.
Skills and Strategies for Coaching Soccer
This book is a favourite amongst the football/soccer coaching community and it perfect for someone who is new to football/soccer coaching. Whilst it is now over 10 years old, this book still provides the basic techniques for successful football/soccer coaching. The book has a collection of all the main skills in football (Passing, dribbling, heading, collecting and controlling and goalkeeping) and provides coaches techniques for teaching tactics, team formations and set pieces from over 125 drills.
The Modern Soccer Coach: Position-Specific Training
This book is great for more experienced football/soccer coaches who want to learn more about player development and how to coach for a specific position. The book provides over 40 different practices as well as providing guidance on how to coach all the major positions within football. Along with a detailed review on how to monitor player development.
Summary
We hope the above books provide inspiration and ideas for you. Have you read any of the above or have any other suggestions? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.
You may also be interested in the following articles:
- Our Downloadable Sports Planning Template
- Our Review of the Best Sports Training Equipment for 2020
- A guide to the different Leadership Styles used be sports coaches
Why not also visit our Sports Coaching Learning Centre for more articles on Sports Coaching Techniques and Strategies.
Sports Coaching Learning Centre
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