Description: Aimed primarily at intermediate-to-advanced youth soccer players (but also coaches and parents who want to understand the game more deeply) "Play With Your Brain" presents eight key soccer concepts in illuminating detail, giving you the knowledge you need to become a smarter -- and therefore better -- player, coach, or fan.
Brief description: Travis Norsen played a lot of soccer between age 5 and college, then took a break to get a PhD in theoretical nuclear astrophysics, get married, become a physics professor, and raise a family. But the gravitational pull of the beautiful game was too strong and Travis again found himself involved with the sport, not only as a player and fan, but also, when his kids started playing, as a coach. "Play With Your Brain" is his attempt to explain -- with the characteristic clarity of a full-time science educator -- all of the things he wishes someone had explained to him when he was a youth soccer player and a beginning coach.
Review Quotes:
"It is very well organized and easy to understand, with helpful diagrams and descriptions of the pros and cons of different decisions players can make on the field. I highly recommend this book for players who want to make smarter decisions playing soccer!" - Andrew G (age 12)
"This book provides extremely practical advice for implementing a consistent, logical, easy-to-understand system of possession soccer. The beautiful part is that it relies on teaching players how to think on the field, enabling players with less individual skills to make critical contributions to the team. I have coached at both the high school and youth level, and I found lots of valuable advice that I will definitely implement. A well written, easy to follow guide." - Dave M
"It is amazing! I wish I had this soccer bible since the beginning of my soccer mom career." - Rei M
"Essential reading for every player/coach/team that wants to evolve from playground soccer to the beautiful game." - Pranay P