{"title":"Books","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eDive deeper into the game beyond the pitch with our curated collection of soccer books. From player biographies and club histories to tactical breakdowns and iconic match stories, these titles bring the moments, minds, and movements of the sport to life.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-keeper-a-life-of-saving-goals-and-achieving-them-paperback","title":"The Keeper: A Life of Saving Goals and Achieving Them - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eTim Howard\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this inspiring, down-to-earth memoir the revered goalkeeper and American icon idolized by millions worldwide for his dependability, daring, and humility recounts his rise to stardom at the 2014 World Cup, the psychological and professional challenges he has faced, and the enduring faith that has sustained him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Keeper\u003c\/em\u003e, the man who electrified the world with his amazing performance in Brazil does something he would never do on a soccer field: he drops his guard. As fiercely protective about his privacy as he is guarding the goal on the field, Howard opens up for the first time about how a hyperactive kid from New Jersey with Tourette's syndrome defied the odds to become one of the world's premier goalkeepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Keeper\u003c\/em\u003e recalls his childhood, being raised by a single mother who instilled in him a love of sports and a devout Christian faith that helped him cope when he was diagnosed with Tourette's in the fifth grade. He looks back over his fifteen-year professional career--from becoming the youngest player to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year to his storied move to the English Premier League with Manchester United and his current team, Liverpool's Everton, to becoming an overnight star after his record-making performance with the United States Men's National Team. He also talks about the things closest to his heart--the importance of family and the Christian beliefs that guide him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTold in his thoughtful and articulate voice, \u003cem\u003eThe Keeper\u003c\/em\u003e is an illuminating look at a remarkable man who is an inspirational role model for all of us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Keeper\u003c\/em\u003e is illustrated with two 8-page color photo inserts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the summer of 2014, Tim Howard became an overnight sensation after more than ten years as one of America's leading professional soccer players. His record-breaking fifteen saves for the United States national team against Belgium in the World Cup electrified a nation that had only recently woken up to the Beautiful Game after decades of hibernation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn estimated TV audience of 21 million viewers in the United States watched Howard's heroic performance against the heavily favored Belgians in which he repelled shots with his hands, feet, legs, knees, and even his signature long beard. In this inspiring and candid memoir, the beloved U.S. and Everton goalkeeper opens up for the first time about how a hyperactive kid with Tourette's syndrome from New Jersey defied the odds to become one of the greatest American keepers in history. \u003cem\u003eThe Keeper\u003c\/em\u003e is also a chronicle of the personal sacrifices Howard's made for his career, including the ultimate dissolution of his marriage and its most painful consequence: separation from his two children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Keeper\u003c\/em\u003e will captivate soccer fans and readers who are unfamiliar with the sport but want to know what makes a world-class athlete different from the rest of us--and where that difference gives way to common ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 320\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.7 x 8 x 5.3 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 11, 2023\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62798176452979,"sku":"9780062387370","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/files\/892afaed65500f62b19e00a8fdc00633.webp?v=1777657901"},{"product_id":"socceriq-things-that-smart-players-do-paperback","title":"SoccerIQ: Things That Smart Players Do - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDan Blank\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe #1 international bestseller... Named the #1 Soccer Book by Football.com... Named a Top 5 Book of the Year by the NSCAA Soccer Journal. Soccer iQ is the first book for soccer PLAYERS! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"If we could recommend only one book for players, parents and coaches, Soccer iQ would be that book.\" Football.com \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"If you have a child involved with soccer, Soccer iQ is a must-read.\" ModernDadTopics.com \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"An excellent World Cup companion\" Scott Arnold \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Exceptional book for all ages!\" Coach Mark \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"This book helped us win the Missouri State Championship.\" Coach Ryan \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn a world saturated with books about how to coach soccer, Dan Blank finally gives players a book on how to think it. Standing on two decades of collegiate coaching experience, Blank has catalogued soccer's most common mistakes and provides simple, connect-the-dots solutions to help players solve their soccer problems. Soccer IQ is soccer's first text book for players; an almanac of smarter soccer decisions intended to flatten out the learning curve. It covers everything from hunting rebounds to the value of the toe-ball; from playing in the rain to the world's dumbest foul. Blank tells his story from the familiar and humorous voice of a coach who has endured years of stress at the hands of his players. Written in plain-spoken language, Soccer IQ is an easy read and a quick-fix to the most common yet critically important soccer problems. Includes a bonus chapter on the college recruiting process. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIf you dream of being the next Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, the next Alex Morgan or Sophia Smith, of playing for Manchester United or Real Madrid, of playing in the MLS, the Premier League or for a World Cup - then Soccer iQ is the book for you. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Finally someone wrote this book! If every soccer player read Soccer IQ, every coach would be a lot happier.\" Mark Francis - Head Coach University of Kansas \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Dan Blank has just written soccer's first definitive text book.\" Colin Carmichael - Head Coach Oklahoma State University \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"This book has immediately become required reading for my team. I'll take 30 copies.\" Steve Nugent - Head Coach UNC-Greensboro \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"Soccer IQ may the best practical soccer book I have ever read. There's no fluff. Just nuts and bolts principles that we teach every day. It'll solve a lot of your soccer problems.\" Steve Holeman - Head Coach University of Georgia\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDan Blank has been coaching college soccer for over twenty years and served most recently as associate head coach at the University of Georgia. He is the first coach in Southeastern Conference history to lead the conference's best defense in consecutive years at different universities (Ole Miss 2009, Georgia 2010). He has an 'A' License from the USSF and an Advanced National Diploma from the NSCAA. He has also authored Soccer iQ Vol. 2, Every Thing Your Coach Never Told You Because You're a Girl, High Pressure, Shutout Pizza, Possession as well as several other books. You can buy his books and read his blog at www.soccerpoet.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 134\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.4 x 8.8 x 5.9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 05, 2012\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62798189691251,"sku":"9781469982472","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/files\/810011b59cc3c45925d186ddee88def5.webp?v=1777658346"},{"product_id":"soccer-iq-vol-2-more-of-what-smart-players-do-paperback","title":"Soccer iQ - Vol. 2: More of What Smart Players Do - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDan Blank\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"It's as if Dan was sitting right next to you with a dry erase board saying, 'See what I mean?' This is another must have book for the soccer lover.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Ray Leone, Head Coach, Harvard University\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA follow-up to the Amazon #1 best-seller, Soccer iQ Volume 2 is written in the same conversational and humorous tone as its predecessor. Volume 2 is an easy read that identifies more of the most common soccer mistakes and provides players with simple, connect-the-dots solutions that they can immediately implement into their games. It is another must-have book for any serious soccer player. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMakes a great Christmas gift \/ stocking stuffer for soccer players. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Soccer iQ Vol. 2 gives you way more than your money's worth.\"\u003c\/b\u003e Tony Amato - Head Coach, Arizona\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 122\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.26 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 08, 2014\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62798189789555,"sku":"9780989697712","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/files\/94fb83599cfd295966acdf2ce052fd17.webp?v=1777658348"},{"product_id":"soccer-iq-presents-shutout-pizza-smarter-soccer-defending-for-players-and-coaches-paperback","title":"Soccer iQ Presents Shutout Pizza: Smarter Soccer Defending for Players and Coaches - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDan Blank\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"If you want to win, buy this book. Clearly written, direct and to the point with great stories that bring the topics to life.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e . \u003ci\u003eBuffs\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Another awesome book from Dan Blank! My defenders are now getting \"Shutout Pizza\" to devour...both the book and hopefully lots of pizza this year!\" \u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eBikerby\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Very good read, with useful information that is simple to follow and understand. Very catchy, memorable descriptions that stick with you, and will stick with your players.\" \u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eDarren\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWARNING: This is not a goalkeeping book.\u003cbr\u003eFrom the best-selling author of the Soccer iQ series comes a book dedicated to teaching and organizing a back four. Coach Dan Blank led the Southeastern Conference's best defense at two different universities in consecutive years. It began with a handbook he created for his defenders that ensured everyone was on the same page. Shutout Pizza is a vastly expanded version of that handbook. It introduces the governing principles that guided the SEC's best defenses, and covers a broad spectrum of scenarios that commonly occur during matches. Shutout Pizza is packed with diagrams that will help the reader visualize the concepts discussed in the text, and includes several of most effective drills for training these concepts. This is an excellent book for coaches and players who want to defend more effectively. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Defending Made Simple. The concepts in this book are presented in such an easy to understand and teachable manner that I am embarrassed at the large number I have failed to teach my teams over the years. This book (and Dan's others) will change your team dramatically for the better.\"\u003c\/b\u003e .\u003ci\u003eMark L\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"If you are sincerely into coaching soccer this is a must have book to add to your collection. Focus is on defending and organizing your backs as a unit, great ideas and methods to keep them a tight unit. Coach Blank put a lot of thought into this book and even more thought into defending.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eJeffrey Vagell\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Another great reference from Dan Blank. Practical advice for players and coaches on defending individually and as a team. Simple, easy to apply lessons in every day language with great examples and diagrams. Distills the topic down to key concepts. Like all his books, I use this one every week in coaching my team.\" \u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eB. E. Preppernau\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 280\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.59 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 15, 2015\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62798189887859,"sku":"9780989697767","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/files\/ec2712a73088b70a713de4a758b16371.webp?v=1777658352"},{"product_id":"soccer-iq-presents-possession-teaching-your-team-to-keep-the-darn-ball-paperback","title":"Soccer iQ Presents... POSSESSION: Teaching Your Team to Keep the Darn Ball - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDan Blank\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Excellent book! Dan Blank does an awesome job of simply and logically breaking down the fundamental approach to a possession-based style of play.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Bikerby\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A very well written easy to read book. It's as if Dan Blank is giving a clinic and you have a front row seat.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e Brandon Amos\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"I'm truly impressed with this book. It didn't just teach and entertain me, it spoke to me.\" \u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Coach Tom\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePOSSESSION is a step by step explanation of coaching points and on-field exercises for possession soccer. In this installment of the best-selling Soccer iQ series, Coach Dan Blank again distinguishes himself as soccer's finest how-to author, providing coaches with connect-the-dots solutions for teaching possession soccer. POSSESSION provides essential coaching philosophies that break down the art of keeping the ball. It includes dozens of training exercises as well as the mistakes that a coach can expect his players to make during those exercises - and the solutions to correct those mistakes. Filled with simple diagrams, POSSESSION is an easy-to-read guide for coaches who desperately want to help their teams keep the darn ball! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e \"Yet another masterful soccer guide by Dan Blank.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Tom Leszczynski\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"This book really condenses everything necessary for good possession play into one place and provides good drills and progressions for developing your teams ability to hold onto the ball. The descriptions and diagrams are clear and well organized with coaching points highlighted for each.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Brian Turner\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Wow this book is good. A must read if you are introducing the concept of possession soccer to your team.\" \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e Chris Almand\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDan Blank is the author of the Amazon best-seller, Soccer iQ, and has been coaching college soccer for over twenty years. He is the first coach in Southeastern Conference history to lead the conference's best defense in consecutive years at different universities (Ole Miss 2009, Georgia 2010). He has an 'A' License from the USSF and an Advanced National Diploma from the NSCAA. You can buy his books and read his blog at www.soccerpoet.com.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 160\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.34 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 10, 2015\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62798190150003,"sku":"9780989697729","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/files\/a167e026f89041eee06bacc26f98cf03.webp?v=1777658356"},{"product_id":"soccer-iq-presents-high-pressure-how-to-win-soccer-games-by-smothering-your-opponent-paperback","title":"Soccer iQ Presents... High Pressure: How to Win Soccer Games by Smothering Your Opponent - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eDan Blank\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Inspirational. Amazing. The ultimate prize, these books are worth multiple reads.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Coach Tom\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Full of illuminating soccer insights and practical coaching tips.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e Travis Norsen\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA wonderful Christmas present or stocking stuffer for the soccer coach in your life! \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this installment of the bestselling Soccer iQ series, college soccer coach and author, Dan Blank, educates coaches and players on the most effective ways to implement a high-pressure style of team defending. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNearly 80% of goals scored are the result of three or fewer passes, and more than half of all goals scored begin when a team wins possession of the ball in its attacking half of the field. The numbers clearly indicate a statistical advantage to winning the ball in the opponent's end of the field, and that's exactly what high pressure is designed to do. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHigh pressure is perhaps the most misunderstood term in soccer's vocabulary. There are countless coaches who want their teams to play high pressure, but many of them aren't always quite so sure about what that means. They tend to translate 'high pressure' into 'run around like you stole something until we score.' They only extract the urgency of which the term implies without much understanding of the nuance that makes high pressure a formidable system of team defense. Those coaches understand that high pressure requires a high work rate, but they don't understand the tactical savvy that can maximize the output of that work. As a result, their teams feature only the madness but not the method behind successful high pressure. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHigh Pressure provides an easy-to-follow blueprint for coaches and players so they know not only what to do, but why they are doing it. In this book, Dan Blank clarifies the differences between high and low pressure and explains the big picture of high pressure defending. You will learn the roles of each position, the importance of restraining lines, and how to set up pressure funnels to win the ball in the attacking half. Coach Blank also details the telltale cues that signal a team to step up or back off its pressure, and much, much more. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHigh pressure defending requires more than just hard work. It requires organization, communication and an indefatigable team spirit. This book will show you how to create and implement these elements to get a maximum return on your team's effort. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"10\/10 Highly Recommend! Incredible read! I cannot wait for our season next month to incorporate various strategies and drills from this book.\u003c\/b\u003e Dan O'Sullivan \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Wow! Another great book. As a high school soccer coach, I'm always looking for new ways to improve my team - and myself. Dans books always do it.\" \u003c\/b\u003e Alison Stein \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Inspiring stuff! Looking forward to putting a lot of this into action with my team!\"\u003c\/b\u003e Matthew D Bryant\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 178\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.38 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 10, 2017\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62798190248307,"sku":"9780989697774","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/files\/f74e82d49372d70313e9851cd8cb51c2.webp?v=1777658359"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0992\/9624\/8179\/collections\/blurred-background-of-books-in-the-library-2026-03-10-00-03-01-utc.jpg?v=1777658606","url":"https:\/\/rvscunited.com\/collections\/books.oembed","provider":"River Valley SC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}