Whether you want to impress friends and colleagues with new-found football wisdom, brush up on details you’re unsure about (the offside rule, anyone?) or improve your practical skills, this is the book for you! Covering all the basics of the game, rules and tactics, as well as giving an in-depth history of the sport and how it has evolved to the present day, this indispensable guide will get you up to speed on the most popular game in the world in no time. With dream team formations, tips on football betting and supporting, essential coverage on the World Cup, and stats on current teams, players and managers both at home and abroad, football expert and Guardian journalist Scott Murray keeps it fun, fresh and knowledgeable to get you through the major tournaments and beyond.
Football For Dummies includes:
PART 1: KICK OFF Chapter 1: The bare essentials Chapter 2: A rich history Chapter 3: Get your boots on – the gear you need
PART 2: PLAYING THE GAME Chapter 4: Laying down the laws Chapter 5: Positions and tactics Chapter 6: Honing your skills Chapter 7: Talented training Chapter 8: Coaching, managing and leadership Chapter 9: Putting it all into practice
PART 3: THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL Chapter 11: The World Cup Chapter 12: The international scene Chapter 13: The British club scene Chapter 14: Taking on the world Chapter 15: Women’s football
PART 4: FANS ENCLOSURE Chapter 16: Going to the match Chapter 17: Read all about it… Chapter 18: Compulsive viewing: Football on TV (and film, and DVD…) Chapter 19: Joining in (sort of…)
PART 5: THE PART OF TENS Chapter 20: Great players Chapter 21: Great managers Chapter 22: Great matches Chapter 23: Bad behaviour
PART 6: APPENDICES Appendix 1: Appendix A: Honour Boards Appendix 2: Glossary Appendix 3: Key Football Organisations
Editorial Reviews
Review
“… Murray has compiled a guide to the game so simple and effective that any dummy can understand it.” (Four Four Two, May 2010)
“… offers those who are yet to climb on board the bandwagon a leg up.” (ESPN.com)
From the Inside Flap
Discover how to get the most out of playing, watching and supporting the beautiful game
Whether you’re a wannabe football superstar, a seasoned fan or a complete novice when it comes to the mighty game, this easy-to-follow guide has it all. Covering everything from improving your goal-scoring skills and understanding the offside rule, to following foreign teams and managinga fantasy league, Football For Dummies is your ticket to becoming a football expert. Perfect if you need to prep for a big game!
Find out how it started explore the history of football (men’s and women’s!) and why it appeals to millions of people worldwide
Enjoy a kickabout understand the rules and positions, practise key techniques and join a local team
Look further afield access the latest information on the international scene, from La Liga and Serie A to the Copa America and the Olympics
Home is where the heart is discover how the most important leagues work and identify famous clubs
Get into the fan’s enclosure use newspapers, fanzines and official sites to keep up-to-date with fixtures and transfer rumours and learn how to spot dodgy refereeing decisions
Open the book and find:
Handy diagrams to illustrate key points and techniques
Advice on the kit you need to shine on the pitch
Strategies for motivating your team
Tips on supporter etiquette, home and away
How to prepare yourself before a game
Profiles of the greatest players and matches in history
Information on spread and in-match betting
A rundown of the best football films, internet clips and computer games
Learn to:
Get to grips with the history, rules and tactics of the game
Perfect your skills and master star-player techniques
Understand the club scene at home and abroad, from local tournaments to the World Cup
Become a superfan and follow your team without missing a thing
From the Back Cover
Discover how to get the most out of playing, watching and supporting the beautiful game
Whether you’re a wannabe football superstar, a seasoned fan or a complete novice when it comes to the mighty game, this easy-to-follow guide has it all. Covering everything from improving your goal-scoring skills and understanding the offside rule, to following foreign teams and managinga fantasy league, Football For Dummies is your ticket to becoming a football expert. Perfect if you need to prep for a big game!
Find out how it started explore the history of football (men’s and women’s!) and why it appeals to millions of people worldwide
Enjoy a kickabout understand the rules and positions, practise key techniques and join a local team
Look further afield access the latest information on the international scene, from La Liga and Serie A to the Copa America and the Olympics
Home is where the heart is discover how the most important leagues work and identify famous clubs
Get into the fan’s enclosure use newspapers, fanzines and official sites to keep up-to-date with fixtures and transfer rumours and learn how to spot dodgy refereeing decisions
Open the book and find:
Handy diagrams to illustrate key points and techniques
Advice on the kit you need to shine on the pitch
Strategies for motivating your team
Tips on supporter etiquette, home and away
How to prepare yourself before a game
Profiles of the greatest players and matches in history
Information on spread and in-match betting
A rundown of the best football films, internet clips and computer games
Learn to:
Get to grips with the history, rules and tactics of the game
Perfect your skills and master star-player techniques
Understand the club scene at home and abroad, from local tournaments to the World Cup
Become a superfan and follow your team without missing a thing
About the Author
Scott Murray is a freelance journalist who writes for The Guardian, FourFourTwo, Men’s Health and Shortlist, amongst others. Prior to this he was the Sports Editor of guardian.co.uk. Scott is the co-author of the football miscellany, Day of the Match.
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