Over the last decade I have come across numerous soccer and other sport related coaching books. Fundamental Soccer Practice written by coach Karl Dewazien stands out in several important ways. It is a well written, easy to read designed for the novice soccer coach but it also provides volumes of information that any coach can benefit from. The book is loaded with informative well drawn illustrations and diagrams that are easy to understand and actually work in real settings. Most importantly, the author provides an excellent integration between soccer content and the process of teaching and learning of content.
Sections 1- 4 cover the all important aspects of what one needs to know, and what one needs to do in order to get a right start. Sections 5 and 6 are dedicated to attacking and defending game themes. Coach Dewazien uses a learner oriented terminology in his approach to soccer instruction. For example, "attacking themes" are subdivided among other things into bringing, keeping, and releasing the ball under control.
Section 7 includes two pages of concise final notes that sum up coach Dewazien’s child centered approach to coaching youth soccer. Coach Dewazien’s final note "The outcome of our children is infinitely more important than the outcome of any practice or game you will ever coach" highlights the philosophical foundation of this book.
Anyone who loves children and coaching soccer should read coach Dewazien’s Fundamental Soccer Practice of Champions.
Coach Karl Dewazien, is a United States Soccer Federation "A" Licensed coach.
Reviewed by
Daniel Frankl, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Kinesiology and Nutritional Science
http://www.kidsfirstsoccer.com
danyf@adelphia.net
