How to Become a Better Soccer Player : (And Impress Any Coach)

Dan Metcalfe - a former Olympic Development Program Head Coach, Nike Coach of the Year and played in England, has trained and coached youth players for over 25 years. He has trained over 30 youth players to join professional teams around the world, and hundreds into the College ranks. However, his greatest success has been the development of players from youth to dreams.Football, (soccer), is a simple game with dynamic aspects that lead to skills, fitness, health, brain development, social connections, life enhancing experiences, travel and GOALS. Not just the physical, but the sense of achievement in life itself.Dan's approach is not only about the skills themselves. In fact, the skills are limited if the mental strength and confidence does not allow for the freedom to let go. Top coaches tell you that performance is 80-90% mental. Yet we spend almost 100% of the time working the physical. Professional players will have mentors and mindset coaches helping bring out the best of them. So why don't youth athletes, with their brains so malleable, get the mindset support?As Hollywood's expert to the Stars, guiding stories to be told on the big screen, shooting coaching videos for the US National team release, creating the top soccer series, Super Soccer Skills, an educator and above all guide to success, Dan is sharing his invaluable insights to help prepare for games and challenges ahead. Confidence has to be within, and ready to support the down times. Confidence is only as secure as the player trusts themself. If a coach is needed to give confidence, then that same coach can also take it away.In these pages you will find simple tips that will plant thoughts for self confidence, smarter thinking and removing self doubt. Most players want, need, the approval of the coach. Often the player will work harder to get that approval than just being their best self and knowing the work they are doing is what the coach is asking for. And that is how this book came about. What is a coach asking for? Why do we miss the key clues, or find ourselves misunderstanding the coaches training? This book is great for parents too.From basic growth to deeper inside information, Dan shares the same advice he's given to thousands of players. With testimonials from international, professional and college players, as well as movie stars that Dan trained for the story they had to tell. It doesn't matter what level you are. Mindset is not age related, but rather, timely for integration. This advice is no different for a young 10 year old girl he has guided to the US National Team or a Top Professional player struggling with their performance, confidence or drive.Dan is known for his mentorship not just on the field, but as much preparation for overcoming challenges. His knowledge goes far beyond the ball. We know that a child's brain, to adult, is not fully matured until around the ages of 25-28. We see super smart players who know the game, yet fall short in the emotional state. And we have super star potential players who just can't seem to break through. We have players who overachieve when they should not, theoretically, reach such levels. Landon Donovan was a player Dan worked with. At 14, Landon did not make the California South team but was placed on an "extra" team to attend the state ODP competition in Montana. He worked tirelessly, often breaking curfew when others had gone to bed. He was relentless in his passion and drive. From a less developed youth player he became a player many feel is the top US player of all time. His mindset was strength. Imagine if you, or your youth player, had the same understanding, and dreams, that Landon achieved. When will the mental training start?Foreword by Mark Burnett, having worked with Dan, and numerous professional players, this book will reveal simplicity that leads to magic. There is not secret in soccer. We just need the freedom to be ourselves. Read more