Summary
"Entertaining, very informative, and essential for parents, fans, and players." Tony DiCicco, Head Coach, 1999 Women's Cup Champions"Two thumbs up.... This book will broaden your knowledge of the game." Ron Newman, all-time winningest American Soccer Coach"This book will help people to understand why soccer is the world's sport and why we love it so much." Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward, U.S. Women's National Team"Fans will love it, and those who want to become fans will devour it." Bob Ley, ESPN/ABC BroadcasterSimplicity alone doesn't explain soccer's enormous popularity worldwide. Soccer is a game that can be as frustrating as golf, as physical as football and hockey, as sporadic as baseball, and as graceful as basketball. It can also be addictive. Whether you are a youth league player, a soccer parent, or a World Cup fan, here, at last, is the book you've been waiting for. Written by New York Daily News soccer columnist Michael Lewis with the full support and participation of the United States Soccer Federation, Soccer For Dummies shows you how to: Get a handle on soccer rules and regulations Learn the basic moves and plays Improve dribbling, passing, and other basic skills Find a league to play in Coach kids effectively Get more out of the game as a spectator Featuring expert tips from U.S. Men's and Women's National Soccer Team stars and packed with hundreds of action photos and illustrations, Soccer For Dummies is the ultimate beginner's guide to the sport. You'll discover: The where and wear of soccer Laws of the game Footwork, passing, shooting, receiving, goal tending, and other game fundamentals Staying in soccer shape Teamwork and strategy Coaching youth soccer Everything the informed spectator should know The current state of soccer at all levels from youth leagues to geriatric leagues Get Soccer For Dummies and get the lowdown on the world's most popular sport from some of its most celebrated players.
Author Biography
United States Soccer Federation, Inc., is the national governing body for soccer in the U.S. Michael Lewis is an award-winning journalist who has covered soccer for more than 20 years.
Table of Contents
Foreword |
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xxxi | |
Introduction |
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1 | (4) |
Part I: Getting Started (Before the Opening Kickoff) |
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5 | (54) |
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The Bare Minimum You Need to Know about Soccer |
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7 | (10) |
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17 | (12) |
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29 | (12) |
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41 | (18) |
Part II: Fundamentals of the Game |
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59 | (84) |
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Some Amazing Feats with Your Feet |
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61 | (8) |
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The Finer Points of Passing, Shooting, and Receiving |
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69 | (18) |
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When You Have to Use Your Head |
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87 | (6) |
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93 | (20) |
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Perfect Plays and Strategies |
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113 | (30) |
Part III: Calling All Soccer Moms and Dads |
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143 | (50) |
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145 | (16) |
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Staying in Soccer Shape: Conditioning, Practice, and Diet |
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161 | (14) |
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175 | (10) |
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The Mental Game, Teamwork, and Winning |
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185 | (8) |
Part IV: A Spectator's Guide |
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193 | (40) |
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195 | (8) |
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Soccer---from TV to Online |
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203 | (8) |
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Soccer or Futbol---a Worldwide Phenomenon |
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211 | (22) |
Part V: From Saturday Soccer to the World Stage |
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233 | (64) |
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Where It All Begins --- Youth Soccer |
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235 | (16) |
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Amateur Soccer: They Don't All Play for Pay |
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251 | (14) |
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Pro Soccer in the United States |
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265 | (14) |
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U.S. in International Soccer and the World Cup |
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279 | (18) |
Part VI: The Part of Tens |
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297 | (36) |
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Ten Players Who Made an Impact on Worldwide Soccer |
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299 | (6) |
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Ten American Players Who Made a Unique Impact |
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305 | (8) |
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Ten Players to Pay to Watch and Stand to Cheer |
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313 | (8) |
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Ten Dream Teams That Gave Opponents Nightmares |
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321 | (4) |
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Ten Matches Made in Soccer Heaven |
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325 | (4) |
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Ten Goals That Will Give You Goosebumps |
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329 | (4) |
Part VII: Appendixes |
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333 | (24) |
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335 | (12) |
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Appendix B: Soccer Associations |
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347 | (10) |
Index |
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357 | |