 
Soccerhead: An Accidental Journey into the Heart of the American Game
Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 11
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 On: 2007-12-21
A great parallel narrative, jointly tracking the familiar tales of youth soccers takeover by the mania of club systems (along with a shrewd critique of parents naive assumptions about soccer as a democratic, non-contact, or safely suburban sport), with alternating sections that narrate some of the less familiar chapters of American soccer in the 20th century (outdrawing pro football at stadiums between WWI and WWII). Amused at his concscription as parent-coach into the chaos of contemporary youth soccer, Haner demonstrates his award-winning journalistic expertise and his comic touch in equal, engaging parts. A great book to pass among teammates -- and parents -- on the sidelines!
 On: 2007-01-14
Basically this is an excellent description of a novice to the soccer world learning its vaules and benefits. The author well documents his passage from novice to becoming a "soccer nut" whom goes overboard like many before him with his passion for this sport. His primary experience is in the recreational levels of the game, but his professional experience allows him to get a unexpected glimpse into the history of the sport in America.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the game itself at any level. His enjoyment of youth sports and their demands upon its paritcipants is an accurate reflection of how many youth sports become a passion, not just an interest.
It is a positive journey about a sport which its fans give their hearts to and will follow throughout their lives.
On: 2006-09-29
Wow. I am thoroughly impressed with this book. I have played soccer since I was 12, and at 30 am now starting to coach and referee. This book does a great job mixing up stories, advice for coaching kids (and parents) and a little history lesson. I wrote down some of its suggestions for my team. I definitely have caught soccer fever and would recommend this book to others who love soccer or have kids interested in soccer.
On: 2006-09-28
Wow. I am thoroughly impressed with this book. I have played soccer since I was 12, and at 30 am now starting to coach and referee. This book does a great job mixing up stories, advice for coaching kids (and parents) and a little history lesson. I wrote down some of its suggestions for my team. I definitely have caught soccer fever and would recommend this book to others who love soccer or have kids interested in soccer.
 On: 2006-09-16
The problem with Jim Haners Soccerhead is that he may be writing about a sport thats new to Americans, but hes using it to tell an old story in an old way. A middle class white guy finally leaves his prolonged adolescence through watching (and in this case coaching) his child play sports. As America changes to accept soccer and becomes a richer nation for doing so, so has his life become better, more adult (part of the subtext within the book is that soccer with its nuances and chess-like strategy is much like modern life) for the experience.
Haner has adopted that rhythmic sing songy ping pong-y format for writing creative non fiction that plagues so much of the genre today - theres a section for the interesting historical facts about the subject, then a section of soul searching personal introspection about the subject, the some historical tidbits and then an amusing personal anecdote. While some may find this comforting, for me, familiarity breeds contempt.
Along the way he attempts to convince us (ala McManus Positively Fifth Street) that he is (or was) a he-man hell raiser who finds freedom from the chaffing collar of suburbia in...coaching youth soccer. To quote Syrania, ". . . there are a lot of lambs out there trying to be wolves..."
Haners vast experience as a journalist has gifted him with tightly wrought prose and enviable research skills, as well as the chops to juggle multiple characters in a clear, concise way, but to anyone who doesnt own a gas grill, mortgage, and receding hairline, Soccerhead comes off as more than little self-indulgent.
On: 2006-08-12
Nice job blending the fun and frustrations of coaching with the history of soccer in this country - which is a much richer history then I would have guessed. Bogs down a bit in the middle, but definitely worth the time.
On: 2006-07-02
Haner is a genuine hard-bitten gumshoe reporter, the kind of guy whos battled sleazoid pols and his own bosses, and written great stories along the way.
Which is why its almost incongruous that hes written Soccerhead - a touching, funny, thoroughly reported treatise on the hidden phenomenon of youth soccer, told through the eyes of a befuddled man out of place.
Its a terrific read, a must for any soccerhead - and all the parents of 5-year-olds who dont know that theyre destined to be soccerheads.
On: 2006-06-15
This is an excellent soccer book. Its one that every Weekend warrior soccer coach will love.
On: 2006-06-14
This is an excellent soccer book. Its one that every Weekend warrior soccer coach will love.
On: 2006-05-08
A story about a team, a history of the game in the U.S., a coachs odyssey, a rumination on what youth sports have become ... "Soccerhead" has it all. I accidentally came across this while searching for books to advance my one-step-ahead-of-my-team coaching knowledge, and the perspective it offers is better than any nuts and bolts primer. And youll find yourself rooting for a bunch of kids from College Park, MD, as if they were the national team. I can truthfully say I couldnt put it down -- read it start to finish in an evening.
On: 2006-05-07
Funny, realistic, intelligent and beautifully written. Im a "draftee" soccerhead, thanks to my son. Thanks to Jim Haner, I have an understanding of what this game is about. More importantly, I gain from him the understanding of what the game looks like from the inside. Jim writes about soccer kids with the same passion other writers save for major league athletes, and makes those kids live in your imagination. His description of individual soccer games alone is worth the price of admission, but his study of the games history and analysis of the strategy (more Sun Tzu, less Clausewitz) has added immeasurably to my understanding of what happens on the field. I should add that Jim Haner has been my sons soccer trainer, and hes as dynamic and alive on the field as he is on the printed page. A wonderful read.
On: 2006-04-27
Jims style of writing is captivating and comedic. Being myself an assistant coach, and a parent of youth players, I found his antecdotes very similar to my own experiences. His research of the sport provides a goldmine of information for anyone who wishes to learn the roots of the sport in the USA, or its rich but little known highly competitive history amongst migrant cultures flocking to America. A must read for the parent or coach alike as Jim shares its all too common experiences.
On: 2006-04-18
Folks, soccer is different. You will learn, the author learned. You want to coach and you do not know soccer. OK, welcome to the club. Before you start, learn what it is really all about - PARENTS, KIDS, REFS, relationships... And then we will get to the GAME of SOCCER.
It will come, you will learn the game. The big picture; what is really going on across our country - is in this book. Read it.
Read the book, get the kids to play hard, and love the game.
On: 2006-04-18
Jim Haner writes a book for all parents and coaches wondering why the heck are we driving from soccer field to soccer field every weekend (and weekday)? Things sure were different when we were kids!
Jim grew up the "normal" football, basketball, baseball American kid and was then coaxed into coaching his sons soccer team. Thats when the adventure begins. Jim intensely tries to learn the game of soccer and learns. of all things, there are people in America who know soccer. Jim goes from detailing the exploits of his 8 year olds to uncovering the roots of soccer in America.
Jims love of this new game brings about exciting, laughable, intense, and crazy soccer moments we can all relate too. What shines through for me is you can tell Jim wishes he played soccer as a kid. But, instead of living the game through his children, he strives to learn and understand every nook and cranny of the beautiful game of soccer.
If you are a "soccer mom", a "soccer dad" or a coach of any level you need to read this book. There is not another soccer book like this available. Read it, love it, and be proud of the history of soccer in America, and the legacy you are creating with your involvement in the game.
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