Presenting an empirically underpinned synthesis of research and theory, while offering guidance for applied practitioners, this is the first book to comprehensively map the psychology of learning, playing, and coaching the world’s favourite sport. The book provides a complete analysis of key topics that capture the broad range of football psychology such as personality, motivation, cognition, and emotion; coaching and team essentials; psychological skills for performance enhancement; and developing players in youth football. Including contributions from a range of international researchers, each chapter provides a review of the relevant literature, key theories, real-world examples, and reflections on how knowledge can be applied in practice. Split into four sections, the book covers a diverse range of topics relevant not only to coaching and performance but also to personality development and health promotion. Essential reading for any student, researcher, or professional in the area, the book is the most cutting-edge overview of how psychology can explain and improve the way football is both played and understood.

'Passion, positivity and precision ... and always be willing to learn something new.' Athlete Andrew Henderson was just sixteen years old when a horrific rugby injury put paid to his career in the game. So he turned his attention to football - more specifically, freestyling football skills - and never looked back. Now a five-time World Freestyling Champion and the UK Freestyle football champion for eight years running, in this unique manual Andrew brings together all his expertise and advice to help make you a better footballer. Packed with step-by-step skill tutorials, tricks, tips and guidance, Andrew also reveals how hard work, dedication and flair allowed him to become a master on the football pitch and beyond. Having worked with Cristiano Ronaldo, impressed the likes of David Beckham and Neymar, to performing at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and various World Cups around the world, he is now sharing all his secrets and famous freestyling skills to help you improve your football techniques and take them onto the pitch. Interspersed with the jaw-dropping tricks, guidance on tackling, fundamental skills and tips on advancing your expertise, Andrew's passionate advice about following a dream and overcoming adversity prove that both enthusiasm and patience play a major part in any sporting arena. This isn't only about teaching the physical elements but learning from a master about how to focus your mentality to bring flair, passion and precision to your game.

Professional soccer is an exciting and challenging sport to play. It also gives players the chance to proudly represent their country and heritage as they travel around the world. However, the ability to become a professional soccer player takes hard work, discipline, and dedication to the sport. You need to learn to be fast, flexible and focused on a soccer field while thousands of people are watching every move you make. This will require you to obtain extensive knowledge and training from someone who is an experienced soccer player and knows everything there is to know about the game. This book was written by such a person. The information you are about to read will advise you on all aspects of how to become a professional soccer player. You will first learn about the elements needed to become a successful soccer player and then how to market yourself as an agent. The four main elements of soccer success are having physical readiness, tactical & technical competence, mental strength, and nutrition. These elements all play a role in making you an outstanding soccer player out on the field. Obviously, you will need to be physically ready if you're going to be able to handle the intense physical exertion that soccer entails. This will involve performing vigorous exercise training regimens to get you in top shape for the game. Tactical & technical competence is about understanding the various soccer positions and how they are useful for your team. These positions include forward, striker, left midfielder, right midfielder, stopper, defensive midfielder, goalie, and more. The book will teach you how to build mental strength to enhance your cognitive flexibility and responsiveness, which are skills needed in soccer. Most importantly, there will be great emphasis placed on the importance of good nutrition. After all, a professional athlete must maintain a strict nutritious diet if they are going to excel at soccer. Once you learn the best foods to eat and when to eat them, you will have more energy and strength on the field. Remember that professional soccer is a business like anything else. You may have fun playing the game but as a player, you will be the employee of the team owner or manager. If you want to get hired by a team and go play for them, you basically need to market yourself as if you're applying for a job. This means creating a resume that outlines your experience and skills in all types of athletics. By the time you finish reading this book, you will know what it takes to become a professional soccer player. You might decide that you've got what it takes to succeed as a player or you may not. Either way, let this book guide you along the way.

The former captain of the Dutch national championship team delivers over 240 individual & team drills & over 700 action photographs to help players master soccer fundamentals.

Describes the achievements and career statistics of soccer's greatest stars.

An Amazon #1 Best-Seller! Named the #1 Soccer Book by Football.com. Named a Top 5 Book of the Year by the NSCAA Soccer Journal! Soccer iQ is the first book for soccer PLAYERS! In a world saturated with books about how to coach soccer, Dan Blank finally gives players a book on how to think it. Standing on two decades of collegiate coaching experience, Blank has catalogued soccer's most common mistakes and provides simple, connect-the-dots solutions to help players solve their soccer problems. Soccer IQ is soccer's first text book for players; an almanac of smarter soccer decisions intended to flatten out the learning curve. It covers everything from hunting rebounds to the value of the toe-ball; from playing in the rain to the world's dumbest foul. Blank tells his story from the familiar and humorous voice of a coach who has endured years of stress at the hands of his players. Written in plain-spoken language, Soccer IQ is an easy read and a quick-fix to the most common yet critically important soccer problems. Includes a bonus chapter on the college recruiting process. " Finally someone wrote this book! If every soccer player read Soccer IQ, every coach would be a lot happier." Mark Francis - Head Coach University of Kansas "Dan Blank has just written soccer's first definitive text book." Colin Carmichael - Head Coach Oklahoma State University "This book has immediately become required reading for my team. I'll take 30 copies." Steve Nugent - Head Coach UNC-Greensboro "Soccer IQ may the best practical soccer book I have ever read. There's no fluff. Just nuts and bolts principles that we teach every day. It'll solve a lot of your soccer problems." Steve Holeman - Head Coach University of Georgia