First of all, the tapes are absolutely excellent. The video quality is much better than I expected, and the overall layout was excellent. The reminders at the end of each segment (the written words that captured the major points of the previous discussion) were very well integrated. I can see now why you charged $60 for the tapes. It's obvious your team put in a tremendous amount of work on the series. It's very well done.

In general, I really liked the format of the tapes. I was going to ask you if you had any coaching clinics I could go to Fresno to attend, and now I feel like I've been to one. It truly was like being in your classroom. I found it very informative.

I've got a long laundry list of specific topics to comment on: Reader : there were five questions raised in this review by Coach John Anagnost. I'm also going to reference your "Practice" book because I feel the tape and book are a very good complement to one another. I've got your "Practice" book almost memorized, with the cover so worn out I'll probably buy another one soon.

On the first tape, you discussed in detail the concept of a one touch offensive zone. This is an extremely useful concept that your book didn't talk about. I was going to ask you how to encourage little ones to finish off their shot (at last weeks game, we lost 2 goals because my little guys didn't clean up after their first shot), and this fits in perfectly. What you didn't talk about at all, but was mentioned at the end of the segment was the one touch DEFENSIVE zone. It's clear what the one touch should do in the offensive end - put the ball in the net! What about the defensive end? Should the child try to kick the ball as far out as possible to avoid danger or, like the pros, look to pass the ball to a midfielder? I really would have liked a comment or two from you on that aspect.

Koach Karl: What you are attempting to instill are good habits in your players. Only through repetitive expectations on your part can this be accomplished. For example: Once inside the Attacking ‘one touch zone’ the players must be taught to ‘one touch’ the ball toward the goal. This must be followed by an immediate sprint to touch either the goalpost or the goal line. In the beginning do not focus on where the ball is traveling, but work on the immediate 'following of the shot’. Once the player has touched the goalpost or goal line teach them to immediately sprint ‘backwards’ out of the one touch zone - this will create the habit of immediately defending after the shot. Create the habits of ‘following each and every shot’ then ‘getting back on defense’ after each and every shot. While they are creating good ‘follow the shot-get back on defense’ habits you can also work on their shooting weaknesses.

Now to your first question. The first habit you need to teach your players as far as the ‘Defensive One Touch Zone’ is concerned is their instinctive recognition of knowing when they are actually inside of this zone. Once you notice that they recognize (under pressure) that they are inside the zone then go to the next habit. The next habit is to immediately ‘boot’ the ball out of the zone. Most coaches recommend the ‘boot’ is high and wide. Then begin to work on their accurately ‘kicking’ the ball out of the zone - that is, clearing it high and to the outside. Your ultimate goal is to have them ‘pass’ the ball accurately from this zone to teammates placed at various distances.

In closing on this subject. I hope the reader realizes how long it takes to create good technical habits in most players? If your guess is approximately (four years) then you are well on your way toward becoming a good teacher of this game!

That's it for now. Thanks for your great books and video series. I've got a lot to digest. Hopefully I'll learn fast so that the kids can have even more fun than they are already having.

Thanks for being a tremendous resource to beginning coaches like me. Without the resources you've provided, I would be having a much more difficult time coaching, maybe not even coaching at all due to lack of knowledge. Keep up the great work!

Reader - there were five questions raised in this review by Coach John Anagnost. ‘Koach Karl’s’ responses to the other four questions will be covered in upcoming issues of this magazine - Look for them!