 
The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer
Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 23
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 On: 2008-04-26
I was volunteered to coach soccer for older kids. I highly recommend this book if you find yourself in the same position.
The authors recommendations about coaching and drills made the season a complete success.
 On: 2006-11-12
I bought this for my daughter who volunteered to be Soccer Coach for the first time. I say she wanted to do it but perhaps was more stong armed into doing it. She found it helpful.
On: 2006-11-03
The book gave very helpful information. I have never coached anything and it gave helpful insight into giving the best experience I can into my sons 4 yr old soccer team.
On: 2006-08-12
Im a second year coach with very limited playing experience. I played soccer during elementary school but it was essentially mob ball. This book has helped a great deal. It gives great suggestions for organizing practices and the drills, ahem I mean games, are great. The problem, analysis, solution section is also very helpful.
On: 2005-11-24
This book helped organize my practices and provided ideas for drills that kept my U8 Boys team interested the entire season. I received numerous compliments from parents that their kids enjoyed the variety of "games" (i.e. drills) we played in practice. My team went 11-2 this past season and all my players chose to return for the spring season over baseball and other sports. I honestly feel this book improved my coaching style and played a large part in the success of our team.
On: 2005-09-07
I am coaching my daughters U-8 AYSO soccer team this season and was in desperate need of an easy overview of rules as well as age and skill appropriate drills for practices. This book was very helpful and I am using it as a resource.
On: 2005-08-29
This is a very good book for the beginner coach or parent who wants to work with their child. I bought this to learn the basics of soccer and work with my 4.5 year old. I knew nothing of the sport and this book was a great resource for me. Plus, it has tons of great games to make practice fun on top of learning the skills.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-02-04
This should be mandatory reading for ALL youth team coaches, at all levels! This is the BIBLE for coaches...and many other youth sport coaches would gain a lot of wisdom reading Clarks ideas!!!
by: Anonymous On: 2002-12-10
I had seen this book on the shelf at B/N several times, but never pulled it off the shelf, as I am not a Baffled Parent, but coach H.S., premier, travel soccer. I attended a clinic given by Coach Clarke, and a fellow coach showed me the book. Inside are GREAT games for kids to enjoy! This is what youre looking for, whether youre a first time coach, or a coach who wants to loosen up practice for the more serious players.On the back cover it states, Be the coach you wanted to play for. Well here it is. Kids LOVE the games and theyll be showing up to practice running and smiling! 5*s arent high enough. Also recommend the second book by Tom Fleck and Ron Quinn
On: 2002-08-12
I was drafted to coach my daughters soccer team (1st and 2nd grade), this book has been invaluable. I played soccer in high school, thus I knew the traditional drills. I was completely unaware of all the fun games that could be used to team the sport. This is the only book you need to plan fun practices. The 6 and 7 year old kids do not get the full benefit of some of the games because they are just learning to play soccer, after all some still dont know right from left. The practice plans work very well, keeps them fun, and the kids do learn. Highly recommended.
On: 2001-10-28
Bobby Clark should write books for a living - not coach soccer. His writing style is engaging, and his grasp on a childs psych is excellent. Using this book as a guide helped us see vast improvements in our kids skills on a weekly basis. As a first year coach (teaching first year soccer players) Coaching Youth Soccer was a life-saver!Ive already purchased or recommended this book for three other coaches. If your baffled, you wont be for long. This is the book to start out with.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-09-26
I bought this book and the U.S. youth soccer book. The youth soccer book is collecting dust somewhere. Clarks book is great for organization, drills and making it fun for the kids. Too many parent/coaches merely mimic the poor technics that they learned as kids. This book gives alternatives to the outdated notions.
On: 2001-09-05
A MUST BUY !!! This book is an excellent training guide for any youth soccer coach. I used the included training plans for my U-8 team and was blown away ! The drills are simple and entertaining. They progress incrementally and may seem not to be effective. But run a scrimmage (as recommended in the book) after the first 5 practices and you will be astounded. Your players will have developed muscle memory and quick reaction skills. You will develop a well-rounded team with a passion for the game ! And the parents will be impressed with the results of your coaching.
On: 2001-09-03
Coach Clark tells you what you need to know, and how to make your players have fun. Which is why theyre playing soccer, right?We tried out Bobby Clarks methods starting halfway through a rather disappointing season, and saw it start to pay off within 4 weeks. Our kids stopped looking at the ball in games and started going after it instead, and they were clearly having more fun in practice. Even if you dont use exactly his drills - and he has some excellent ones - you can and should apply his philosophy. This is a good book for anyones soccer library, but is particularly helpful for new coaches and coaches of younger players.
On: 2001-05-22
Recruited to help out with our towns first year in soccer, I ended up coaching the 1st & 2nd grade team. I knew nothing about soccer and this book helped me learn enough to keep ahead of that age level and give them fun drills to do each practice. I really liked how it was geared to the beginning coach and the younger player age levels.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-05-05
I almost didnt buy this book because I dont consider myself baffled (at least when it comes to soccer). Ive coached for five years and have a bunch of soccer books. Anyway, the book is great whether you are just starting or an old pro.
by: Anonymous On: 2000-08-30
This book is amazing no matter what sport you coach. I wish I had this book several years ago when I was coaching basketball. Lots of book teach drills, but this book gives you insight on how to really run a practice. I cant wait to try out these techniques.
On: 1999-12-07
This book is truly all inclusive for the new or beginning coach. If you have to pick just one book to help you coach soccer pick this one. I am getting a fairly large soccer library and this is the best Ive seen as a teach everything book.
On: 1999-12-06
This book is truly all inclusive for the new or beginning coach. If you have to pick just one book to help you coach soccer pick this one. I am getting a fairly large soccer library and this is the best Ive seen as a teach everything book.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-09-11
This is a wonderful guide to involving kids in soccer and teaching them the fundamentals of the game. I have been coaching my sons team for three seasons now, and this book has really changed my approach. I used coach Clarks drills and techniques this summer and watched the kids become more engaged in the sessions and improve their skills. Coach Clark has a uniquely effective approach to teaching children.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-09-11
Having played in college, coached many youth teams, and read many books on coaching soccer, I can honestly say, THIS IS THE BEST BOOK AROUND. It contains, 1. simple, effective ways to organize a practice. 2. loads and loads of common sense. Your players will improve, having fun at the same time. Your confidence as a coach will soar with Coach Clark at your right hand.
by: Anonymous On: 1999-09-10
Wow, I have never read a book like this before.I think this book is a must for EVERY coach, and EVERY parent. As I moved through the chapters I was continually amazed that someone could make coaching seem so easy, so fun. In addition there is also a lot of common sense approaches on how to handle difficult situations that a coach will face, including playing time, parent input, gender issues etc. I feel like I am armed with a coaching weapon. I cant wait for next season.
On: 1999-09-04
This book is almost as good as having Coach Clark right beside you. His advice is always humane; he is set on giving his players confidence and pride in the game. He also writes clearly and convincingly about the importance of teamwork and team loyalty. I wish he had been my coach!!
by: Anonymous On: 1999-08-05
This book provides a fantastic knowledge and background of the game. While teaching you how to coach, it never loses track of the real reason that people are playing sports in the first place. A truly great book for anyone currently coaching or just getting in to coaching. Gives good drills and games as well as the background information needed to make them work. Gives advice for all aspects of coaching needed to make a team work.
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