International Research in Science and Soccer II showcases the very latest research into the world’s most widely played sport. With contributions from scientists, researchers and practitioners working at every level of the game, from grassroots to elite level, the book covers every key aspect of preparation and performance, including: • performance and match analysis; • training and testing; • physiotherapy and injury prevention; • biomechanics; • youth development; • women’s soccer; • sport science and coaching; • sport psychology. Sports scientists, trainers, coaches, physiotherapists, medical doctors, psychologists, educational officers and professionals working in soccer will find this in-depth, comprehensive volume an essential and up-to-date resource. The chapters contained within this volume were first presented at The Fourth World Conference on Science and Soccer, held in Portland, Oregon, in June 2014 under the auspices of the World Commission of Science and Sports.

International Research in Science and Soccer showcases the very latest research into the world’s most widely played sport. With contributions from world-leading researchers and practitioners working at every level of the game, from grass roots to elite level, the book covers every key aspect of preparation and performance, including: contemporary issues in soccer coaching psychological preparation and development of players physical preparation and development of players nutrition and recovery talent identification and development strength and conditioning in soccer injury prevention and rehabilitation soccer academies. Sports scientists, trainers, coaches, physiotherapists, medical doctors, psychologists, educational officers and professionals working in soccer will find this in-depth, comprehensive volume an essential and up-to-date resource. The papers contained within this volume were first presented at The First World Congress on Science and Soccer, held in May 2008 in Liverpool, UK. The meeting was held under the auspices of the World Commission of Science and Sports.

The fully revised third edition of the popular Foundations of Sports Coaching textbook aims to provide a comprehensive and engaging introduction to the practical and theoretical principles that underpin the sports coaching process, from both a participation and performance perspective. The focus of this contemporary edition is to bridge the gap between practical sports coaching delivery and the conceptual theories that underpin a sports coach’s practice. It provides a wealth of real-world examples and up-to-date case studies from a wide range of sports to support the developing practitioner and help sports coaches understand how to apply key concepts and theories to their practice. In addition, there are countless practical coaching tips, techniques and strategies to further support sports coaches in their practice and development. The book will provide the reader with the skills, knowledge and background they will need to prepare athletes and sports people technically, tactically and strategically, covering the key components of a sports coaching-related undergraduate course, including: ■ the continuing professionalisation of sports coaching ■ the International Sports Coaching Framework (I.C.C.E.) ■ the fundamental skills of a sports coach ■ how to coach populous groups ■ coaching philosophy ■ coaching pedagogy ■ creating a positive learning environment ■ talent ID and sevelopment ■ the reflective coach ■ performance analysis to support coach feedback. This third edition updates the style of previous versions with all-new chapters focusing upon international professional practice frameworks, coaching philosophy, coaching pedagogy, talent identification and development, and reflective practice. All of these are critical for the contemporary practitioner to understand in order to ensure they provide the best possible coaching environment for their athletes to develop and succeed. No other introductory textbook explains the importance of a holistic approach to sports coaching practice. This is an essential companion to any sports coaching course.

Soccer remains the world’s most popular sport with significant numbers of the world’s population engaged in grassroots soccer, particularly during childhood and adolescence. There is considerable scientific and practical data focused on soccer science available, most of which relates to elite performers and does not address the needs to grassroots coaches in understanding the science of soccer and translating this into practical messages and learning to help coaches maximise the experiences, enjoyment and development of the more than 250 million players who play grassroots soccer worldwide. Science and Practice of Youth Soccer presents a comprehensive and accessible introduction to key topics relating to effective player and team development in youth grassroots soccer. Written by international experts and practitioners in the field and with a particular emphasis on the development of children and youth, the book provides essential guidance of how science translates into practice for coaches and those working in youth grassroots soccer. Each chapter outlines the scientific research base for each topic, highlights myths and misconceptions that are commonplace in current practice of grassroots coaches and then provides practical solutions that coaches can take and use in their coaching practice. This book is key reading to those working in or studying sport and exercise science, sports coaching and sports development and also of interest to grassroots coaches and parents of soccer players.

The popularity of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which consists primarily of repeated bursts of high-intensity exercise, continues to soar because its effectiveness and efficiency have been proven in use by both elite athletes and general fitness enthusiasts. Surprisingly, few resources have attempted to explain both the science behind the HIIT movement and its sport-specific application to athlete training. That’s why Science and Application of High-Intensity Interval Training is a must-have resource for sport coaches, strength and conditioning professionals, personal trainers, and exercise physiologists, as well as for researchers and sport scientists who study high-intensity interval training. Authors Paul Laursen and Martin Buchheit—both well-known, expert-level HIIT researchers as well as practitioners and endurance athletes—do a masterful job of blending science-based concepts of HIIT with practical application strategies. Laursen, Buchheit, and a team of highly qualified contributors—who bring hundreds of years of combined HIIT science and application experience from across all sports—have written Science and Application of High-Intensity Interval Training to provide practitioners and athletes an understanding of the foundational principles of HIIT programming. Chapters in the first section describe five types of training, how to manipulate HIIT variables to maximize improvements in physical performance, and how to incorporate HIIT into a general training program. Readers will also learn the influence HIIT can have on fatigue, stress, and an athlete’s overall health. The final 20 chapters each focus on a different sport and are written by leading coaches or practitioners who have successfully applied HIIT principles at an elite level in their respective sport. These chapters describe specific ways to incorporate HIIT into a training regimen for everything from combat sports to endurance events to the most popular U.S. and international individual and team sports. Each chapter also contains sport-specific preparation and competition phases, an overall one-year training program, and a brief story of how the coach or practitioner who authored the chapter used HIIT to successfully prepare an athlete for a competition. Knowing the proper ways to incorporate high-intensity interval training into a fitness or conditioning program is of vital importance: Not following proper protocols can lead to excessive and prolonged fatigue, illness, or injury. Science and Application of High-Intensity Interval Training is an essential guide for those who want to incorporate HIIT into their own training or their athletes’ programming. Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education course and exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes all the course materials and exam.

The concept of periodization is not new, with the precursors of periodized training dating back more than 2,000 years ago. But it is now obvious that the holistic development of an athlete encompasses more than their physical and tactical training. Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Periodization is the first book of its kind designed to optimize sport performance by integrating both classic and modern periodization theories with recovery methodologies, nutritional interventions, and athlete monitoring guidelines. Written by G. Gregory Haff, a world-leading expert on periodization, Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Periodization incorporates the latest scientific evidence to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to implement planning and programming strategies to enhance physiological adaptations. While other periodization books may discuss training theory, few provide information on how to integrate various training models into the periodization process. Here are just some of the approaches incorporated into Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Periodization: Employing and blending parallel, sequential, and emphasis periodization models to develop athletes Syncing recovery strategies with various phases and periods of training to enhance the adaptational process Manipulating nutritional strategies to magnify performance Using and interpreting monitoring data to adjust an athlete’s program in accordance with the periodized plan Applicable for athletes at all levels and in any sport, Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Periodization translates the latest research into usable information that directly enhances programming. You will have access to real-world, practical examples and discussions of how to make scientifically sound programming decisions. A glossary of over 400 terms will help you digest the content. Plus, you will find periodization templates and directions on how to use them to create annual training, mesocycle, and microcycle plans. Templates are provided online via HKPropel to help you easily design periodized programs. Get the most comprehensive resource about periodization ever written, and use scientific evidence to take your periodization programming to the next level with Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Periodization. Earn continuing education credits/units! A continuing education exam that uses this book is also available. It may be purchased separately or as part of a package that includes both the book and exam. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.

This book offers new perspectives on game-based coaching (GBC), one of the most important practices for session design and instructional delivery in sport coaching. GBC emphasises the sport coach as educator and the development of ‘thinking players’, and this book demonstrates what that means in practice. It brings together leading and innovative thinkers and practitioners in coaching pedagogy, and aims to stimulate reflection by the reader on their own coaching practice. Reviewing recent theoretical developments and current research in GBC, the book provides in-depth examples on how research can be applied in practice, including the use of digital video games, immersive scenario-based coaching narratives, and the Game Sense approach as ‘play with purpose’. Representing the most up-to-date and engaging introduction to the theory and practice of GBC, this book is invaluable reading for all students of physical education and sport coaching, as well as practising coaches and coach educators.