Description

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Gain the competitive edge you need to win—soccer skills and strategies for kids ages 9 to 12

To reach your full potential as a soccer player, you need to know the right tactics, understand when to use them, and have the skills to carry them out. Soccer Smarts delivers the professional coaching you need to do just that. Written for intermediate soccer players and above, Soccer Smarts presents 75 innovative skills, tactics, and mental exercises to help you become a complete soccer player, inside and out.

Soccer Smarts offers access to the proven methods of Charlie Slagle, former president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, current CEO of the Tampa Bay United Soccer Club, and lifelong soccer player. Through Charlie's time-tested techniques you'll learn exactly how a good soccer player becomes a great soccer player.

Inside the pages of Soccer Smarts you'll find:

• Specific lessons for perfecting individual player techniques from the basics to the more complex—such as 1 v 1 defending, power shooting, side volleys, goalkeeper shot blocking, and more.
• Cutting-edge team tactics that will help you and your teammates adopt a united approach and become a highly efficient soccer team, from possession to combination play to scoring.
• Game-changing mental exercises that will increase your awareness and enhance your mental aptitude to become a better player and a better leader.

Step-up your game with the skills, strategies, and tactics in Soccer Smarts, and discover what you're truly capable of, both on and off the field.

About the Author

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CHARLIE SLAGLE is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tampa Bay United Soccer Club. Previously he was the Executive Director of the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club in Denver CO, and the CEO of the Capital Area Soccer League in Raleigh NC. He coached the men’s soccer team at Davidson College for 21 seasons, and he was the NCAA Division I coach of the Year in 1992, the Southern Regional Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1992, and the Southern Conference Coach of the Year seven times. Slagle is a past president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and a member of the NC Soccer Hall of Fame and the Davidson College Athletics Hall of Fame.

Praise For…

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"Soccer Smarts is indeed smart. Follow along and it will improve your physical and mental skills to become a top-notch player."—Sam Snow, Owner/CEO, American Made Soccer Consultants

“Soccer Smarts is a great tool for parents and coaches to pass along to their young players to encourage them to own their development and teach them that the game is the best teacher of all.”—Lesle Gallimore, President of the United Soccer Coaches, Head Coach University of Washington Women's Soccer

"Coach Slagle has positively influenced youth and collegiate soccer in so many different ways. He has a wonderful way of articulating his experiences and knowledge for the game. Every young player and soccer family could benefit from his insights."—Carlos Samoano, Head Coach, UNC Men's Soccer

"Soccer Smarts offers the novice coach insightful tips to give to their players for easy comprehension. It also provides the experienced coach important reminders that are often forgotten."—Vince Ganzberg, Education Content Coordinator, United Soccer Coaches

"Charlie Slagle is one of the most knowledgeable figures in soccer. Soccer Smarts is a must read for anyone looking to improve their game."—Robbie Church, Head Coach, Duke University Women's Soccer

"Soccer Smarts is a great read for players and family members alike. Players will enhance their playing ability and their knowledge of the beautiful game."—Jerry Yeagley, Former Coach, Indiana University Bloomington Men's Soccer

"Charlie Slagle has worked for decades in every aspect of soccer in this country and he knows what it takes. His work is thorough, clear and easily digestible to players looking to get their game to the next level."—Garth Lagerwey, President and General Manager of the Seattle Sounders

"Coach Slagle has written the ultimate how-to for a player to take charge of their own development. Over 30 years as a college and club coach gives him unique insight."—Lynn Berling-Manuel, CEO, United Soccer Coaches