SOCCER LOVERS BOOK REVIEW: Appetite For Soccer – Jumping levels In The Game … By Design
Appetite For Soccer – Jumping levels In The Game … By Design by Tony Kees is for “parents and ambitious soccer players 12-16 years of age.” In reality, it is a great read for everyone who wants to know what more can they be doing to excel as a youth soccer player. Parents always want to know how they can help their child develop and in the crazy youth soccer world, this book offers simple and solid advice.
“Appetite For Soccer – Jumping levels In The Game…By Design” by Tony Kees is an practical guide which explains the work that is involved in maximizing performance.
With chapters like Own Your Development and Develop Your Personal Recovery Strategy from your own Mistakes, Kees clearly puts the responsibility for achieving dreams squarely on the shoulders of those who can make a difference — the player and their family.
With the simple golden rule of Take Advice but Not Orders, Kees explains that development is a personal journey — an independent journey — each youth soccer player takes.
“The player / parent partnership is key in getting the desired results.
Tony Kees, Jr. is the former Assistant Academy Director at Chicago Fire and is currently an Academy Staff Coach at Sockers FC in Chicago.
Kees’ tag line in his email is “I wish you enough!”
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo interviewed Tony Kees on what is really important for youth soccer players ….
Diane Scavuzzo: Do you think most soccer parents understand the complex world of youth soccer — before it is almost too late?
Tony Kees: Fantastic question and an important one.
The youth soccer landscape has been steadily changing / progressing since the ’94 men’s World Cup.
But, it seems that since the inception of the US Development Academy initiative, there has been accelerated growth with an exponential proliferation of clubs, leagues and organizations all putting their stake in the ground, creating a soccer mall of opportunity.
With any opportunity comes folks who look to take advantage of the boon. Imposters and false prophets dot the landscape and it’s difficult to sort out the genuine from the money grabbers.
The best thing parents can do is to network, ask questions and go with their gut on who to trust.
Diane Scavuzzo: Do most players take enough responsibility for owning their development?
Tony Kees: Do most players take enough responsibility for their development? No they don’t.
Players need to own their development. It’s on them.
The book addresses those issues and provides ideas to combat everything from lethargy to lack of opportunity.
Diane Scavuzzo: What is the hardest part of being a soccer parent?
Tony Kees: Though I’m not a biological parent, I sometimes feel like a father to many.
I have, however, paid close attention to how kids and parents interact and I can see the love and good intentions.
The hardest part about being a soccer parent would be letting go and trusting the coach.
Diane Scavuzzo: What inspired you to write this book?
Tony Kees: It was the right time to take the accumulated knowledge and spill it — the market is saturated with coaching books, but very few for the youth player directly.
Diane Scavuzzo: When did you first start playing?
Tony Kees: My personal story is rather unique — I didn’t kick a ball until I was 16.
I was a typical American kid in the 60’s and 70’s — playing whatever sport was in season through high school.
For me it was baseball, football and street hockey, as well as a few games I invented for the neighborhood! I was the playground organizer. Junior year in high school, there is a meeting to gauge interest in forming a soccer club. I go. The guys vote me in as president!
I stopped playing football to learn to play a game that I never saw before.
That fall of ‘75, we played one organized game and had several practices (which I ran). Senior year, soccer became a sanctioned varsity sport. I was captain and enjoyed excelling at the game.
I was completely self-taught.
Later, I was invited to tryout with the indoor Kansas City Comets of the old MISL. I did well enough to come back as a developmental guy, but declined because I already made up my mind that I wanted to coach. At that point, in ’83, I became a serious student of the game.
Appetite For Soccer – Jumping levels In The Game … By Design is a GREAT READ. Available at Amazon.
