The sport of soccer has evolved immensely since its beginning around 2000 years ago and is now considered the most popular sport in the world. The research related to the physical, psychological, and tactical aspects of the game has risen in conjunction with its fame. Maximizing Performance and Safety in Elite Soccer Players seeks to inform the reader with the most current research connected to optimizing physical performance and reducing the risk of injury of the elite soccer athlete in a variety of leagues. After providing an initial brief overview of applying physical and psychological scientific concepts in soccer (Laying the Foundation), this book then takes the reader through a series of important yet novel sections including; Athlete Monitoring and Data Analysis, Optimizing Physical Performance, Injury Epidemiology and Risk Reduction, Achieving Peak Performance and Safety in Various Environmental Conditions, and Unique Aspects of the Game. The goal of Maximizing Performance and Safety in Elite Soccer Players is to conceptualize and expand upon the current research associated with these topics and provide an applicable point of view to the coaches, sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports medicine professionals who work with these athletes every day.

The sport of soccer has evolved immensely since its beginning around 2,000 years ago and is now considered the most popular sport in the world. The research related to the physical, psychological, and tactical aspects of the game has risen in conjunction with its fame. Elite Soccer Players: Maximizing Performance and Safety seeks to inform the reader with the most current research connected to optimizing physical performance and reducing the risk of injury of the elite soccer athlete for a variety of ages. After providing an initial brief overview of applying physical and psychological scientific concepts in soccer ("Part I: Laying the Foundation”), this book then takes the reader through a series of important yet novel parts including: “Athlete Monitoring and Data Analysis,” “Optimizing Physical Performance,” “Injury Epidemiology and Risk Reduction,” “Achieving Peak Performance and Safety in Various Environmental Conditions,” and “Unique Aspects of the Game.” The goal of Elite Soccer Players: Maximizing Performance and Safety is to conceptualize and expand upon the current research associated with these topics and provide an applicable point of view to the coaches, sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports medicine professionals who work with these athletes every day.

The sport of soccer has evolved immensely since its beginning around 2,000 years ago and is now considered the most popular sport in the world. The research related to the physical, psychological, and tactical aspects of the game has risen in conjunction with its fame. Elite Soccer Players: Maximizing Performance and Safety seeks to inform the reader with the most current research connected to optimizing physical performance and reducing the risk of injury of the elite soccer athlete for a variety of ages. After providing an initial brief overview of applying physical and psychological scientific concepts in soccer ("Part I: Laying the Foundation”), this book then takes the reader through a series of important yet novel parts including: “Athlete Monitoring and Data Analysis,” “Optimizing Physical Performance,” “Injury Epidemiology and Risk Reduction,” “Achieving Peak Performance and Safety in Various Environmental Conditions,” and “Unique Aspects of the Game.” The goal of Elite Soccer Players: Maximizing Performance and Safety is to conceptualize and expand upon the current research associated with these topics and provide an applicable point of view to the coaches, sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and sports medicine professionals who work with these athletes every day.

The game's top players have remarkable speed, agility, and coordination demonstrated through precision passing, incredible ball control, and an uncanny ability to anticipate and react to the opposition's moves. Although the best players can make these skills look easy, each is a result of dedication, commitment, and countless hours of practice. In Elite Soccer Drills, renowned coach Mike Matkovich shares the same drills he has used in developing some of soccer's premier players. The 82 drills emphasize execution in high-level play while addressing the finer points of passing and receiving, attacking and defending, and heading. With drills for both individual players and teams, as well as practice tips and coaching suggestions, Elite Soccer Drills is the perfect practice tool for developing the high-level skills and soccer sense players need in order to excel.

A soccer player needs to master many different skills in order to be successful on the soccer field. Once a player learns a skill he will also need to maintain it. The best way for doing that is to participate in various drills. The fundamental thing a soccer player need to know about soccer drills is that he really needs to work hard during them in order to develop his skills. I know by experience that many soccer players do not actually focus on the drills. Instead, they see them as something that needs to be done during the practice and then forgets about them. The danger with this behavior is that the players will become less focused during the real games which will impact negatively on their performance. You see, it is not enough to practice on various drills if you never reflect over how you can use them in real game situations. Every time you participate in a drill, you need to imagine how this drill could help you during the games.