The Physiology of Soccer (book review)

The Physiology of Soccer: With Special Reference to Intense Intermittent Exercise
Jens Bangsbo (1993)

Warning: NOT current, but still a great example of how sport science can be organized and presented in a useful way to coaches. I first came across this as an undergrad and it helped me greatly with both my studies, and coaching. This doctoral dissertation is the foundation for Bangsbo's later book, "Fitness Training in Soccer: A Scientific Approach" which is widely distributed. I am not a big fan of that book (feel free to see my review of it), and think that the principles in this dissertation, when correctly applied, are more useful to someone serious about sport science in football / soccer.

Sports Training Principles (book review)

Sports Training Principles
Frank W. Dick (2007)

A fantastic resource for anyone working with track and field (Athletics) athletes, and really anyone working in sport. The author presents a lot of information here. Now while some of the scientific foundations early on in the book could be better covered by other texts, the latter portions of the book are outstanding. Frank Dick illustrates his points with practical examples of how he has applied principle into practice.
Make sure you get the latest edition - which is vastly updated and relates much of the information to team sports such as football (soccer). Some of the book is still dated, but as I have said in other reviews, this does not mean it should just be written off right there and then. Tried and trusted methods still should carry weight in the modern world of sport science and training theory.

The Official FA Guide to Fitness for Football (book review)

The Official FA Guide to Fitness for Football
Richard Hawkins (2004)

If you are a player, or a coach just starting out - this is worth getting. That is the point of these FA Guides. However, if you are looking for more info you should look elsewhere. There is nothing wrong with this book, except that it is very brief and basic.

Weight Training: A Scientific Approach (book review)

Weight Training: A Scientific Approach
Michael H. Stone and Harold O'Bryant (1986)

A classic text! I have knocked off one star because it is dated - but that does not mean that the science and principles are not still useful. Like in history, knowing what has and hasn't worked in the past can help you in the future.
Second hand copies only. Most seem pretty well worn but that just shows that they have helped people along the way!

Total Soccer Fitness (book review)

 
Total Soccer Fitness
Ian Jeffreys (2007)

I like this book and Ian Jeffreys' work. He emphasizes the importance of teaching and coaching the technique of the drills and exercises presented. He also briefly presents some of the science behind different modalities of training, and how it should all be fitted in together. It is not so much what you do, but how you do it.
Unfortunately I feel someone of his ability as a coach and writer could write a book in itself on each of these areas of soccer training. This book is a little brief and just skims the surface - but this just due to my own personal preferences for books on training and sport science. For someone looking for a BALANCED introduction into all aspects of training for this sport - I highly recommend it!

Fitness Training in Soccer: A Scientific Approach (book review)

 
Fitness Training in Soccer: A Scientific Approach
Jens Bangsbo (2003)

I think I am quite harsh when I write my reviews, but this is because I have been on all sides of things - a player, a coach, and now a sport scientist working at a high level.
There are good areas of this book that will be very useful to coaches of all levels. However, the areas on anaerobic work, speed development, and weight training really are poor and even misleading. Bangsbo knows more about improving the endurance and match fitness of soccer players than anyone out there. I feel he does a dis-service to himself when writing about other areas in which he is not so strong.
Worth getting for half the book, however don't take the information in the above areas as Gospel.

Women's Soccer: Using Science to Develop Speed (book review)

Women's Soccer: Using Science to Develop Speed
Michael Yessis (2001)

I saw this book first when originally searching for some of the Russian texts translated by Dr. Yessis. Over the years, he has contributed greatly in getting many resources into the mainstream. I was mainly interested due to the specific nature of it's subject area. I assumed it would go into detail on the Q-angle and other gender specific issues. Now while these topics are covered, they are skimmed over, and the majority of the book is dominated by photos and descriptions of movement mechanics. I feel this book is caught between two places. The techniques and topics covered would be most suitable for coaches and trainers, while the language is obviously aimed at the player themselves. This leads the author to over simplify some important concepts and principles. Nevertheless, Dr. Yessis does draw attention to important points in developing the soccer athlete, and the diagrams and descriptions may be useful to some people. If you are looking to construct an extensive library specifically on soccer training, then it is may be worth getting. There are some cheap second hand copies out there on Amazon, and new it is not expensive. However, for most people, I would recommend you look to the Ian Jeffreys book, or a non-soccer specific speed text.

NHS adventures

I write this from the luxury of Torbay Hospital. Pure boredom may mean I get a few blogs out while I am stuck in here.

The Doc seemed quite happy with how it went yesterday. I was under for about 2 hours and then woke up (with my lower body thankfully numb) and watched the remainder of the 4 hour operation on a TV screen. It was quite surreal - it really did not seem like I was actually watching the inside of my own hip - except for feeling the odd little bit of pain as he trimmed, nailed, or pulled at the contents of my acetabulum. He did a lot of work in there, and so I have 2 or 3 more days of recovery in here before about 6 weeks on non-weight-bearing.

1st post

Welcome to my Blogs first post! I am not really a writer, but want to do this for three main reasons: