Soccer Science and Performance Coaching

In recent decades, the sporting landscape has seen many changes, notably the inclusion and professionalization of sport science and coaching. With this change has come significant demand for applied research surrounding soccer science and performance coaching, leading to new theory and methodology across all aspects of the game. This book brings together the most fundamental components of soccer science and performance coaching through modern, integrated coaching science methods implemented by leading practitioners and researchers. The expertise included in this book provides a unique blend of modern, soccer-specific research trends with innovative coaching theory, implemented at an elite level, and enhances the knowledge of coaches and medical and performance specialists, all while advocating an applied alternative to the development of players. Within each of the main sections-Prepare, Perform, Recover-leaders in the fields of applied sport science, sport and exercise science, sport psychology, sport nutrition, and strength and conditioning outline the best coaching and training methods, making this book a must-have for coaches and trainers seeking to augment their own understanding of what is required to enhance player development.

Dr. Adam Owen (UEFA Pro Coaching License) has developed a unique blend of practical coaching experience with a very specific, high-level academic profile in Soccer Science & Coaching. He has a PhD in the field of Sport Science & Coaching from Lyon 1 University, France, and he now holds an associate professor role in addition to continuing as an associate researcher in France. Adam holds a UEFA Professional Coaching License and is a high-performance coach educator; he has coached players from professional youth to elite senior levels. He has worked as a high-performance director, assistant head coach, and head coach at the elite level, having coached within the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, European club soccer, and elite-level international soccer. He has published more than 100 soccer science and coaching articles, book chapters, and books, remaining active with the development of applied soccer-based research at the elite level. He has been able to use previous European, Asian, and North American domestic and intercontinental success to develop a justifiable, research-based coaching method to maximize individual and group performance within elite professional soccer. Adam is also a faculty member of the globally recognized International Soccer Science & Performance Federation.