Book Review

Tim Brown first posted this review in a soccer forum at paulvanveen.com. I've included the criticisms as well as the compliments, and responded to a few of the criticisms.

Thoughtful Soccer: the Think-First Approach to Playing and Coaching by Russ Carrington offers a methodology of how to teach youth soccer. It is a 'how to' manual that has a flow to it missing in most books on coaching youth soccer. A recreational coach, new to the game, could do a lot worse than following the script laid out in this book.

The inclusion of fables as the introduction to each chapter is an interesting approach. It succeeds in that it brings into focus what the chapter will deal with. I am undecided as to whether the children's fable approach is too childish for the adult reading the book or a coyingly sly way to remind the reader that the main theme of the book is how to teach children the game of soccer.

The fables are well illustrated but are overshadowed by the soccer specific diagrams used throughout the book. While the book itself is well written, the diagrams used help to clarify what is under discussion. They provide adequate detail while not being encumbered by the attempt to include too much information.

I am not sold on the reliance 'Thoughtful Soccer' places on learning technique through trial and error bolstered by repetitive work in High-Impact Skill Activities. I am also concerned that many of the exercises do not include a keeper specific training element. Indeed, there were a couple of exercises I would be loath to allow my keepers to participate in.

(Russ: "The book doesn't address Keeper techniques, which are outside my expertise. I'm confident, though, that none of the activities are harmful to Keepers.")

Even so, the beauty of the 'Thoughtful Soccer' approach is found in the 'High-Impact Skill Activities' (HISA's) and 'Thoughtful Scrimmages' (Thoughtscrims) that seek to emphasize finding the best option and skill for the situation that is unfolding by exploring those options in a competitive practice environment so they will be recognized on the playing field. While not a novel idea, this is far different approach than most youth coaches take. Most books on coaching youth soccer focus almost exclusively on skill technique. In this respect, 'Thoughtful Soccer' is truly refreshing.

The first section of the book is tremendous and I would have little qualm about recommending it for youth recreational level coaches. Especially for those coming to the game with little or no experience with soccer. The idea of including controlling, shooting, dribbling, chipping and heading in every practice is well founded. The concept of using a select few HISA's and Thoughtscrims throughout the course of a season is also well founded in view that the repetitive nature is sure to hone the specifics of what is being worked on. At the same time, the author offers enough variation to keep the young athlete stimulated and focused.

Some of the exercises and games are quite ingenious in their simplicity. Each also involves a component of competition that is not to be underestimated in its value. The specific rules and limitations for the HISA's and Thoughtscrims are well thought out and lead the participants to the desired achievements in a fun, interactive manner.

The inclusion of a chapter on 'Coachable Moments' or COMO's as the author refers to them, is a highlight and something missing from many youth coaching books. It is obvious the author put a lot of time and effort in to choosing and designing games to achieve the desired results. I will be including a few of these exercises in my youth practices in the future.

The second part of the book is devoted more to tactical situations.

I found Chapters 11, 12 and 13 to be particularly outstanding. Three main concepts of defense are defined, outlined and illustrated in such a way that any youth coach should be able to take the lessons being taught from the book to the practice fields and see them transferred to the field of play by the players.

The book gets bogged down in the Chapter 14 discussion on systems of play. The author's inexperience with flat back defending stands out leading to a skewed view of the applicability of Thoughtful Soccer to this system. The 'Triangle Three' approach advocated by the author actually is one method of playing the flat back system. And beyond that, I would submit that Thoughtful Soccer is a sound enough philosophy to be incorporated into any system of play.

(Russ: "Having used my Triangle Three for many years, I'm not the person to explain how a Flat Back Four should work. Many coaches use Flat Back systems successfully, and no disrespect toward those systems was intended. In fact, the chapter is somewhat complementary toward Flat Back systems. And the chapter's goal isn't to advocate the Triangle Three or any one system but to encourage coaches to think for themselves about systems.")

Because the book segues or flows smoothly it is not surprising that the failings of Chapter 14 reappear later in the book. Such is the case when the author's unfamiliarity with flat back systems of defending manifests itself again in Chapter 18 during the discussion of how to break through defensive systems.

I also give Chapter 15 mixed reviews. I thought the four roles of the keeper were well defined, outlined and illustrated, but once again there was virtually no technical discussion. The keeper's line is such an important part of goal keeping that it must be dealt with in conjunction with the 4 roles detailed here. I also found the highlighted phrase 'While field players practice different shots, Keepers must save those shots' to be particularly dangerous advice to give inexperienced coaches. For while practical advice it would be folly to practice both shooting and making saves at the same time.

Shooting practice and goal keeping practice are two distinctly different things. One seeks to polish finishing skills by finding the back of the net—a demoralizing experience if the exercise is successful and you are the keeper. The other seeks to hone keeper skills that can be a confidence breaker to shooters if the exercise is successful for the keeper. While this might fall into the category of common sense it is a distinction the book fails to clearly make and I feel the situation is exasperated by a lack of specific HISA's for keepers in the section on 'Coaching Savemakers.'

(Russ: "The book isn't about Keeper techniques, and readers should look elsewhere for that topic. HISA's for Keepers would nonetheless be a great addition to the book, and I'll try to come up with a few. As I said earlier, though, I don't believe HISA's for shooters can be detrimental to Keepers.")

The book concludes with a tactical review of free kicks that once again is clearly defined, outlined and illustrated. The focus is on scoring or preventing scores from free kicks and includes some elements of keeper play that were appreciated. The information is on target and presented simply enough for youth coaches to grasp the understanding of in a timely manner.

Summary:

"On the whole, Thoughtful Soccer is a wonderful book for the recreational coach. It covers the A-Z's of soccer well with the notable exception of foot skills, throw-ins and kickoffs. At times the book is brilliant while at other times it comes up short—typical of many books on coaching.

I also feel the Rec-plus and Travel coach can use the Thoughtful Soccer approach provided they incorporate specific technique training with the HISA's and Thoughtscrims.

Even experienced coaches of select or high school programs should give this book a read simply because it presents information in a strikingly different way.

A recommended read that can be improved upon.

(Russ: Thanks Tim. I hope to address your concerns in the next edition!)