Kim Melnik

Engaging Soccer Coaching Games Kim Melnik

Why repeat endless drills when players are not in the army?


Why queue when all players can be actively involved throughout?


Why repeat when you can innovate?


Why only replicate the past when the sky's the limit?


Why tell players the answers when they can discover solutions for themselves?


Open players' minds by providing engaging games that put them in control. Each game within provides an interesting problem that challenges players to find personalised solutions that are embedded through immersion. Players become empowered to take responsibility for their learning through experimentation.


Common drills and practices direct players to use set solutions for contrived scenarios, reinforcing a closed mindset to problem solving. Instead the games within open players' minds to a range of possibilities by guiding them towards a wider range of tools. This allows players to identify which tools are more relevant to each situation, without limiting their use.


Each game uses a realistic situation to solve a particular problem, whilst making it difficult for players to 'cheat'. Players are subtly guided towards discovering the relevant skills and tactics. Games are diverse, engaging and have flexible conditions to suit a range of ability levels.


Over 250 games across a range of topics cater for coach specific challenges such as:


Building up play from the back,


Making learning technical skills enjoyable,


Developing shape,


Preventing players from chasing and crowding the ball,


Developing fitness by maintaining session intensity.


This book also offers a few awful games and drills to compare with and to explain how common games are often counter-productive. Whilst many appear active and impressive, their hidden drawbacks are identified within.