A couple of years ago I was driving home from conducting a youth coaches clinic and I was thinking about the questions I was asked at the conclusion of the clinic.

There was one question that I kept coming back to- “what is a good book for me as a new coach?” I was kicking myself because although I had recommended a book, I was worried that the coach wouldn’t know where to find it. I also was thinking that the book I suggested was great for a new coach but the other, more experienced coaches at the clinic may find this too basic. I wished I had suggested one for them. Plus, there were a couple of good videos I should have mentioned.

As coaches we all have a player that we can always count on to perform well (if we’re lucky we have multiple players like that). They may not always be he “man of the match” but boy, you know what you’re going to get from them every match.

Well, in the World of soccer books and videos it’s no different. I think there are a handful of names that no matter what it is, when you see their name, you know that it will be a very good product. 

Here’s SSR’s list of names that, if they are on a book or video, you can count on it being worth a look...

I've talked about how our classifications give in-depth info on soccer products listed on SSR. Now, I want to point out what goes into our ratings for those items.

Each product is put into a category (books, DVD’s, Magazines, etc) and each category is assigned a list of unique rating criteria. For example, Books are rated on “Quality of Information”, “Quality of photos/diagrams” and “clarity of ideas”. Equipment have “Quality of construction”, “Value for the money” and “Functionality” as their criteria. I then use the very familiar “5 star” rating scale to determine how the item rates for each criteria.

It’s important to note my philosophy on reviewing and rating. First, when I rate a product I look at as an objective examiner. However, when I write my review, I try to write it from the viewpoint of who I think the intended user is (or should be). Even though, I can’t ignore my 20+ years of experience with soccer products, I feel looking at it through the eyes of the user gives a more accurate assessment of the product.

No matter what angle I take, I’m sure you and I won’t always agree. That’s why I want your opinion- your user review on the items you’ve used. That’s when we’ll get a truly accurate picture of how good a product really is.

Yours on the far post,

-Rob