The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer - Paperback

by Bobby Clark (Author)

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.)

Back Jacket

"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

Author Biography

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.