The Baffled Parent's Guide to Coaching Girls' Soccer (Baffled Parent's Guides)

"No matter what your level of experience, this is a must-read for every girls' youth soccer coach."—Simon Riddiough, Women's Soccer Coach, Hofstra University

Coach. You just volunteered to coach your daughter's soccer team, and you can't tell a drag back from a takeover or an offside from a goal kick.

Don't despair—Coaching Girls' Soccer is here to help. From your first team meeting to the season-ending pizza party, Coaching Girls' Soccer will get you started and keep you going. In addition to learning how to teach the fundamental skills of passing, dribbling, heading, and shooting, you'll learn how to encourage competition and athleticism in girls, how to build their confidence and self-esteem, and how to deal with performance changes as girls mature. You'll even develop the coaching style that works best for you and your players. Before you know it, you'll be coaching players who are moving, motivated, and most of all, having fun.

• Survive your first practice and first game
• Promote good habits, concentration, and teamwork
• Learn what's unique about coaching girls from 4 to 14!
• Coach goalkeepers using the chapter on goalkeeping and special keeper drills
• Make practices safe, fun, and rewarding
• Improve your players and your team

"A very clear, engaging guide to coaching girls' soccer. Coach Hounsome is widely recognized for providing girls with the highest level of soccer development within a highly enjoyable atmosphere."—Gary Book, President, NOGA Soccer