In recent decades, the sporting landscape has seen many changes, notably the inclusion and professionalization of sport science and coaching. With this change has come significant demand for applied research surrounding soccer science and performance coaching, leading to new theory and methodology across all aspects of the game. This book brings together the most fundamental components of soccer science and performance coaching through modern, integrated coaching science methods implemented by leading practitioners and researchers. The expertise included in this book provides a unique blend of modern, soccer-specific research trends with innovative coaching theory, implemented at an elite level, and enhances the knowledge of coaches and medical and performance specialists, all while advocating an applied alternative to the development of players. Within each of the main sections—Prepare, Perform, Recover—leaders in the fields of applied sport science, sport and exercise science, sport psychology, sport nutrition, and strength and conditioning outline the best coaching and training methods, making this book a must-have for coaches and trainers seeking to augment their own understanding of what is required to enhance player development.

In recent decades, the sporting landscape has seen many changes, notably the inclusion and professionalization of sport science and coaching. With this change has come significant demand for applied research surrounding soccer science and performance coaching, leading to new theory and methodology across all aspects of the game. This book brings together the most fundamental components of soccer science and performance coaching through modern, integrated coaching science methods implemented by leading practitioners and researchers. The expertise included in this book provides a unique blend of modern, soccer-specific research trends with innovative coaching theory, implemented at an elite level, and enhances the knowledge of coaches and medical and performance specialists, all while advocating an applied alternative to the development of players. Within each of the main sections—Prepare, Perform, Recover—leaders in the fields of applied sport science, sport and exercise science, sport psychology, sport nutrition, and strength and conditioning outline the best coaching and training methods, making this book a must-have for coaches and trainers seeking to augment their own understanding of what is required to enhance player development.

In recent decades, the sporting landscape has seen many changes, notably the inclusion and professionalization of sport science and coaching. With this change has come significant demand for applied research surrounding soccer science and performance coaching, leading to new theory and methodology across all aspects of the game. This book brings together the most fundamental components of soccer science and performance coaching through modern, integrated coaching science methods implemented by leading practitioners and researchers. The expertise included in this book provides a unique blend of modern, soccer-specific research trends with innovative coaching theory, implemented at an elite level, and enhances the knowledge of coaches and medical and performance specialists, all while advocating an applied alternative to the development of players. Within each of the main sections—Prepare, Perform, Recover—leaders in the fields of applied sport science, sport and exercise science, sport psychology, sport nutrition, and strength and conditioning outline the best coaching and training methods, making this book a must-have for coaches and trainers seeking to augment their own understanding of what is required to enhance player development.

Manchester United’s Tony Strudwick leads an all-star panel in providing the most current research on soccer. Soccer Science features the world’s leading experts in soccer history, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, skill acquisition, coaching, tactical approaches, and performance and match analysis.

Blending contemporary sports science theory with youth specific coaching practice, this book offers soccer development strategies that are tailored to the needs of young players.

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.

In response to the lack of in-depth and up-to-date material focusing on effective athletic training, this manual provides clear guidelines, illustrations, an evidence base and a theoretical framework for proven effective soccer training in practice.