Training Books

During the late 1960's and early 1970's Rinus Michels and Ajax took flowing, attacking soccer and turned it into a science. This science has become widely known as 'Total Football.'

The fortunes of Ajax and the Dutch national team have always been inexorably linked. As it was in the 70's, 80's, and 90's Ajax's stars of today are the Dutch international stars of tomorrow: Cruyff, Van Basten, Kluivert etc.

In the early 1990's Louis Van Gaal and his staff took over at Ajax, reshaping the team, and in less than six years conquered Europe with what was essentially a youth team. Many of these former Ajax stars have gone on to become the backbone of the Dutch national team, and are among the world's best players.

Kormelink and Seeverens,' 'The Coaching Philosophies of Louis van Gaal and the Ajax Coaches,' is a wonderful book, that details Louis van Gaal's time at Ajax, including system/tactics, drills/training, youth development, goalkeeping and general philosophy. This book takes you behind the scenes of one Europe's most influential and respected clubs, allowing the reader the unique experience of critically observing Ajax through eyes of one of football's greatest minds. Van Gaal and his staff meticulously dissect all aspects of the Ajax system from the ground up, providing coaches, players and fans with an indispensable guide to attacking football.

Litmanen, Kluivert, Davids, Overmars, Kanu, Seedorf, the De Boers, Rijkaard, Van der Sar, Blind etc, all make an appearance, and Van Gaal's comments on their abilities, strengths and roles within the system make for some excellent reading. One of the most fascinating parts of the book from a fan's perspective, is Van Gaal's incredibly detailed account of Ajax's preparations for the Champions League final against AC Milan. He takes you through drills, training, tactics, even the warm up --not to mention the game itself, with the thoroughness one would expect from one of football's perfectionists.

Ultimately this is a book of philosophy and ideas, and is among the very best (of the many) football books I've read. Interestingly enough, it's also extremely accessible. While coaches at all levels will find it an extremely valuable resource, players and fans will find it equally informative. I highly recommend it to all fans of Dutch soccer and attacking football.

This a Bibel for all people, that likes Ajax Amsterdams 4-3-3 soccer. You simply become glad for Van Gaals`, and the others Ajax coaches way to think about the greatest sport, soccer !!

great subject,lot's of jari,and no adze's at all. makes me feel melancholic considering the lame results of ajax nowadays. But it remains to be the best club in the world so we have rank this book in importance above (for example) the work shakespierre or goethe

This is an excellent resource for trainers. It has many original exercises as well as clear guidance on what to do with the matierla. Also the introductory material gives a clear jargon-free explanation of the value of coaching. It is the best on the market, as far as I can see.

I have found this material very valuable for developing managers as coaches. The big plus for me is that the exercises are mostly based around real work. I find that managers do not like artificial exercises that seem too disconnected from real work. Also the provision of the material for use in workshops is first rate. Finally I liked the fact that the authors have given guidance on how to put the materials together to produce a coherent workshop.

This learning resource is an excellent addition to any developers' library of materials. It has clear, practical advice on how to develop effective coaches as well as a collection of fine exercises. The exercises are mostly based around real life practice. Too often these kinds of collections are full of exercises that look fun to do but are disconnected from work. This pack does not fall in to that trap. The exercises are graded - from easy to use to those that are more advanced. However the authors give very clear guidance on how to use them and show some examples of how the exercises could be put together to create workshops on different aspects of coaching.

I would recommend this pack unreservedly. It meets a real need - organizations desperately need to develop the coaching capability of their managers and this material will really fill a gap in the market.

An excellant book for new and experienced coaches. Full of great drills, practice plans, and advice on how to motivate your players. There is even a section on dealing with parents, a very useful section if you want to enjoy coaching for a number of years.

The drills and practice sections are broken down by age group, not many books do this. The Ripkens stress teaching the fundamentals which is missing in todays high profile sports. They cover it all: hitting, pitching (Cal used to be a pitcher), fielding, time management, game situations, etc...

A must read for coaches who want to succeed!

I bought this book to help with specific tips for coaching my daughter's softball team. Although softball pitching is not covered (after all, this is a bok on coaching baseball) the book provides a multitude of teaching points for teaching kids of all age groups. Although there is some overlap, I would strongly suggest purchasing Play Baseball the Ripken Way: The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Fundamentals also. That title breaks down the necessary skills by age groups and provides a series of drills that can be brought right to the diamond. Both of these books seek to instill the Ripken Way - a philosophy of how to approach youth sports (with obvious emphasis on baseball) with a focus on making the game fun for the kids, while teaching the fundamentals.

Very well written book on coaching baseball for all ages. I read this book to get more informed on how to coach 5-6 year old T-Ball. This book provided a very good framework for this age group. Many well timed photographs used to describe practice drills.

Table of contents

Part 1
1 Responsibilities of Coaching
2 Realities of Coaching
3 Reasonable Expectations
4 Baseball Practice Basics

Part 2
5 Hitting and Baserunning Drills
6 Throwing and Pitching Drills
7 Fielding drills

Part 3
Practice Planner
8 Practice Particulars for Ages 4 to 6
9 Practice Particulars for Ages 7 to 9
10 Practice Particulars for Ages 10 to 12
11 Practice particulars for Ages 13 to 14
12 Practice Particulars for Ages 15+

Favorite parts of the book:

Page 6
As coaches, we need to be able to cater to the needs of the kid who can't catch one ball and still make baseball fun and exciting for the kid who can. It's a difficult balance but one that's important to understand at all levels.

Mr. Haltman,

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These testimonials appear on our seminar website, The CommercialCapitalMortgageSeminar, and were written by attendees at various live seminars. The DVD set was recorded at a live event, and the manual is the reference book used during the presentation:

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I have a DVD and book now by Menendez. Both are great. The wonderful thing about Pilates is that you can start at age 102 or 10, as you just pick the level you like and go easy on anything that seems a little hard.

The thing that has impressed me about pilates is how they make me feel afterwards. Even with the very light beginning workouts I felt great afterwards the first day! (And though I do other exercises I never got that endorphin high others talk about. :-( ) Pretty quickly I noticed more flexibility and easier movements, too.

I figure anything that makes me feel so good, has gotta be good for me.

Some people don't know what pilates are. In case you are one of them, I think they are a lot like Yoga without the eastern mysticism mumbo jumbo. Also, if you like, you can get a more intense cardiovascular workout with pilates at the higher levels than is likely with even advanced yoga.

What does else will pilates do for you? They cause an increase in oxygen due to the deep breathing, which is great for oveall functioning and stamina and is highly correlated to a lower incidence of cancer. They greatly help to improve your posture and align your skeleton and neuoromuscular system in general. You know "the knee bone's connected to the..." and one problem in one area can cause problems in lots of other places.

Piates can also build up your body strength, though not as much as the usual weight bearing exercises, and certainly can make you look sleeker. Try them, you'll like them! :-)

Probably one of the best books on Pilates you could find on the shelves. Is written in a very clear and concise language that makes it an absolutely must have for any one interested in learning and practicing Pilates.

The first part of the book is directed to the basics and fundamentals ideas behind the physiology of body control and body awareness. You will learn how to maximize your mental control over body movements. The second part is dedicated to the actual exercises and techniques associated with the Pilates method.

One of the best features of this book is that all the routines and exercises are fully illustrated and described, with photographs, clear and detailed explanations, tips on posture and execution. The best of all is that every single exercise can be performed at home without the need of expensive or special equipment.

Having read the first edition I was keen to see what the second edition had in store. I was not disappointed. Menezes is adept at finding new ways of improving his 'old' methods, even though those were a new way of thinking for the pilates industry. The Stamina Stretch I found incredible to understate the obvious! It improved my breathing capacity by 30% in just 2 minutes! His wording of the exercises has changed significantly to make them more effective. Now I understand why the emphasis he places on starting the breathe first gives more core control to stabilize you before the rest of the exercise.
My back felt great and my abs much stronger. His posturing formulas are second to none - and certainly none that I have come across in other pilates books. His Feedback Scales make you work to the max on every exercise without compromising your personal safety while achieving ultimate results.
A great improvement on an alredy great product - can't wait to get hold of the videos/DVDs mentioned in the back of the book.

Monique Ryan's sports nutrition book is contains valuable nutritional information in a user friendly format. It is full of charts, meal plans, and nutrient requirements based on body size and the type of athlete you are. Monique's book teaches you how to plan your meals by the type of food needed, the amount needed, and the timing of your meals for optimal performance. I highly recommend this book to the athletes that I work with. Mary Horn, Scientist, Gatorade Sports Science Institute, Hawaii Ironman finisher.

Monique Ryan does a wonderful job at explaining the need for sports nutrition when training for a particular sporting event--triathlon, marathon, etc---or for a moderately active person. The specificity of the content of the book helps one to understand the vitality of an appropriate nutritional combination in order to provide the athlete with optimal energy before, during and after their particular race and/or daily activity. This book assisted me in completing my first triathlon and enabled me to sustain a moderate pace throughout this event. I am confident I would not have been able to complete this event without Ms. Ryan's book and expertise. A great value and learning experience!!!!

"Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition" by Monique Ryan is an excellent book for athletes/exercisers of any level. It provides the reader with solid scientific information, in an easy-to-read format. Monique Ryan is a registered dietitian who specializes in sport nutrition, and is well-qualified to be the author of such a book. She provides the reader with information on planning and consuming a proper training diet that will allow you to exercise at your peak. This is a great book and one that I think should be purchased by any person interested in sport nutrition.

Navigating through higher education can be, at times, a painful process. In my case, the tears began just as the process began- with my first acceptance into an MSTP program. Having been out of school for several years by that point, I had no idea there were rules to this game. And so, upon receipt of my first acceptance, the one that should have elicited a sigh of relief, I instead cried and cried on the phone with the admissions officer as I wrestled with the morality of saying "yes" to this program while secretly knowing I would bow out if my dream school came through. Rookie mistake, I now know, and a cringe-worthy story to relate to fellow students at Welcome Back barbeques. But tear-stained cheeks were to appear throughout my training, generally due to more subtle pressures and more complicated issues. Should I begin graduate school after M1, which would set me up for an easier transition back to medicine and the wards, or after M2 or even M3, which would allow me to truly integrate my burgeoning medical knowledge with my research? Should I join the large lab that will push me until I crack, revealing what I hope is the great scientist inside, or the small lab that feels like home, full of warm personalities and a sense of camaraderie? How can I possibly prepare for the wards, after so much time away, no less, when I'm trying to finish up experiments, bang out a couple of papers, and write my thesis all at the same time? It's a wonder I'm not permanently attached to a saline drip after all this.

I would like to think that most of the sobbing and the stressed-out-mad-dash-treadmill sessions have not been in vain. As M.D./Ph.D. students, we are asked early on to make thoughtful and savvy decisions about our career paths. Time spent considering these decisions, tortured or not, is well spent and can reveal underappreciated aspects of our goals and ourselves. That being said, we need not approach these decisions alone. In fact, if there is one thing my empty Kleenex box has taught me, it is to seek out those people who have traveled this road before and thus have years of experiential wisdom to impart. Lucky for all of us, Ben Rosner M.D., Ph.D. and Jayakar Nayak M.D., Ph.D. are two such well-versed people. Not only have they successfully traveled this road, they have written a book about it in hopes of making the journey a little less bumpy for the rest of us.

In "The Complete Guide to the M.D/PhD. Degree: The Art and Science of `Doing it Twice'" (J&S Publishing Company, Inc, 2004) Rosner and Nayak approach their topic as though they are giving advice to an eager younger sibling- with ease, charm and clarity. From applying to dual degree programs to applying to residencies or postdocs, they provide the reader with detailed information, handy tips, timelines and advice for getting the most out of our training years with the minimal amount of anxiety. The book is organized sequentially into chapters on applying to schools, MS1/2, the graduate school years, MS3/4, and future career options. This particular organization may not be ideal for nontraditional students who choose a different route through their program, but the principles and most of the timelines will still apply. Rosner and Nayak write in a conversational tone, and this, coupled with Brandon Minnery's too-true cartoons, makes the book a fun and relatively quick read. But don't be fooled by the jokes and the mellow delivery- the book is packed with useful insights and links to more detailed information in almost every area covered. Reading it felt like having a long conversation with an exceptionally perceptive and discerning MSTP "Big Sib". A long overdue conversation in my case, but still relevant- I found the chapters on graduate school, MS3/4 and career planning particularly helpful, timely and applicable.

One of the overriding themes of "The Complete Guide" is that good planning and thoughtfulness will take us further than ulcers will. The authors encourage us to plan ahead, work hard, and to enjoy this time, both in school and out. Just between you and me, as I read through the first chapters on applying to schools and tackling MS1 and MS2, I found myself longing for the opportunity to go back and do it all over again, this time in a cleaner, more organized and incisive way, with Rosner and Nayak as my guides. Now, I'm almost finished with a hard won (remember the tears) PhD. To tell you that these authors led me to wonder about doing the whole thing over again, nay yearn to, is just about the best review I can offer.

In spite of my newfound adoration for Rosner and Nayak, I must confess that I was disappointed by the consistent differentiation the authors make between MSTP and M.D./Ph.D. programs. They make a point to offer NIGMS statistics regarding job placement, publication record, and research funding between the two (as well as between straight M.D.s and Ph.D.s) but the statistics are rarely significant and a bit outdated (1995), perhaps not indicative of current trends. Further, scant attention is paid to one of the most difficult transition periods- that between medical school and graduate school. This can be a surprisingly difficult transition for many students and is often overshadowed in conversation by the seemingly more difficult transition from graduate school back to medical school. Even a few words of advice on this topic would be welcome. Finally, though many of us have an idealized version of the Physician-Scientist floating around in our heads, more than a few of us wonder, at times, what it is that we are uniquely trained to do? In this increasingly translational scientific atmosphere, where M.D.s do phenomenal bench-top research and Ph.D.s run brilliant clinical trials, what do we, as M.D./Ph.D.s-in-training, have to offer that is concretely different? Where, exactly, do we fit? Rosner and Nayak are in the enviable position of viewing this process with the insight and perspective that only experience can give. Their thoughts on how we fit into the larger scientific and health-care communities would be encouraging to those of us just beginning the process as well as to those about to emerge on the other side.

I am happy to report that it has been years since my puffy eyes and red-tipped nose have made an appearance at school. There is something to be said for the process- I'm tougher now, and my goals are much more specific and clear. I won't, in fact, be doing this all over again. But if I did, I would be sure to not make this process any more difficult than it has to be. I would look for guidance earlier from seasoned professionals who know the road better than I do. And I would always, always, buy extra-soft Kleenex.

I liked this book because it gives practical advice that can only come from people who have been through the rigors of the MD/PhD training. I am in the process of going back to the 3rd year after completing the PhD portion, and I found the advice on transitioning efficiently to be quite helpful (e.g. try to review your patient interviewing skills, expect to feel a little behind than your new classmates, etc.). There are numerous bullet-point tips on what to do and what not to do at various stages along the training. Also the authors are candid about the realities of the program, such as why and when to switch labs if things are going sour, or that one cannot rely on his/her research laurels alone to apply for residency programs. I was pleasantly surprised at the degree of useful advice that is presented at each level of the program, from applying to MD/PhD programs through postdoctoral training. There's also a helpful appendix that lists the requirements by state for taking the USMLEs in a certain period of time. I also bought this book to get a sense of how my experience thus far compares with others and what to expect during the remaining years of my training, and I found almost all of the insightful information to be true to my experience and helpful for the future years. As far as I know this is currently the only book specifically devoted to the MD/PhD career track, so I recommend getting it as early as possible to get more insight into the ins and outs of the program/career.

From the prospective of MD/PhD graduates, Rosner and Nayak provide a comprehensive description of the MD/PhD degree and offer advice to prospective physician-scientists. Their work is remarkably well organized, and it follows a coherent logical progression. Minnery's cartoons infuse relevant humor into the work, and serve as excellent comic relief amidst the requisite descriptions of guidelines and requirements. The authors offer balanced description of the benefits and drawbacks of being an MD/PhD student. Rosner and Nayak advise readers on applying to programs, acing interviews, and being a successful MD/PhD student. The Complete Guide to the MD/PhD Degree is not simply for students wishing to apply to MD/PhD programs - Rosner and Nayak use their wealth of experience as MD/PhD students to provide meaningful advice on personal life during medical school, throughout graduate school, and beyond graduation. The authors tell the reader what to expect at each stage of the program, and what to expect after graduating from a combined MD/PhD program. In spite of failing to address all of the important distinctions between normal MD students and MD/PhD students, Rosner and Nayak succeed in providing a comprehensive guide to applying to and succeeding in MD/PhD programs. The Complete Guide to the MD/PhD Degree is an astonishingly holistic work that offers lucid insight into what would be otherwise a confusing and uncertain career path.

the information is pretty good. it tells one about the things that one must do to improve on his or her speedskating. i wish the book had alot more picture sketches and pictures of eric heiden at the world championships, etc. this book is recommended to those who speedskate and who want to improve when it comes to speed, and technique. one has to lift weights, sprint on the track and run long distance for endurance, and stretch alot.
i have to say that any information on eric heiden is very mysterious, he is a mysterious man. nice. literature(the book)is recommended to all who practice this sport or fans who want too know the ways olympians did it in the past(training). you will hear of some commenting that this book is old, but this is just said because those dont want one to improve and want to be the only ones doing it. apply this information to your work out: lifting weights, running the sprints & long distances and having a positive attitude and you should do well when speedskating. very unbiased. holum is great!

the information is pretty good. it tells one about the things that one must do to improve on his or her speedskating. i wish the book had alot more picture sketches and pictures of eric heiden at the world championships, etc. this book is recommended to those who speedskate and who want to improve when it comes to speed, and technique. one has to lift weights, sprint on the track and run long distance for endurance, and stretch alot.
i have to say that any information on eric heiden is very mysterious, he is a mysterious man. nice. literature(the book)is recommended to all who practice this sport or fans who want too know the ways olympians did it in the past(training). you will hear of some commenting that this book is old, but this is just said because those dont want one to improve and want to be the only ones doing it. apply this information to your work out: lifting weights, running the sprints & long distances and having a positive attitude and you should do well when speedskating. very unbiased. holum is great!

This is the classic authority on training for speedskating (written for ice, but with some applicability to indoor roller and outdoor roller). The book is full of clearly written analyses of form and technique on the ice, as well as a lengthy description (several chapters worth) of conditioning and training exercises. Lastly, the book talks about race strategy and uses detailed examples about 5-time Olympic gold medalist Eric Heiden. This is a very thorough book and is devoid of a lot of fluff and filler graphics--it's very "meat and potatoes".

While the sections on training and race strategy could be interesting to athletes in other sports, it may be too sport-specific to be of interest.

My daughter had trouble sleeping from the start, but I was initially overwhelmed by all the different sleep books. This book was a great place to start, since the authors summarize a lot of the sleep training ideas out there. They discuss the different philosophies behind "cry it out" and "no more tears" sleep training methods, and then they summarize a lot of the ideas in these two camps. It's also a very quick read, which is great for sleep-deprived parents!

The methods they discuss come from books including On Becoming Babywise: Giving Your Infant The Gift of Nighttime Sleep, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems: New, Revised, and Expanded Edition, Sleeping Through the Night, Revised Edition : How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep, Sleeping Like a Baby : A Sensitive and Sensible Approach to Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems, Nighttime Parenting: How to Get Your Baby and Child to Sleep, The Baby Sleep Book: The Complete Guide to a Good Night's Rest for the Whole Family (Sears Parenting Library), and The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night.

They discuss the nuts and bolts of how to implement each method and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, as well as the stories of parents they found who tried the different methods. I found it interesting, for example, that although Elizabeth Pantley's "No-Cry Sleep Solution" sounds great (who wants to hear their baby cry?), Pantley does not have the experience with sleep research that most of the other sleep book authors do (she is not a doctor or scientist), and the Idiot's Guide authors were not able to find any parents who had tried this method and had success (and they explain why it could actually reinforce sleep problems). They also discuss ideas for combining some different methods, as well as when this won't work.

One caveat: Don't expect to get a full picture of any given sleep researcher's ideas from the short summaries given here. For example, they describe the "ignore it" approach advocated by Marc Weissbluth, and you might conclude that Weissbluth's book is just about leaving your baby to cry, but I have also read his book and he is very clear that "sleep training does not equal cry it out." He does advocate letting your baby cry if that is what is needed for her to learn to put herself to sleep, but he also describes techniques for avoiding sleep problems in the first place.

I just finished reading this book as a refresher for our toddler. The book was actually kind of validating. The first year we read lots of different experts (sears, ferber, the baby whisperer, etc.) but it's been about a year since we pulled out any new books. This book is nice because it summarizes the various approaches and acknowledges there is no one-size-fits-all. We ended up with a hybrid approach (first 6+ months co-sleeping, then "no-tears" and a teeny tiny bit of "cry-it-out"). This book does a great job of synthesizing all the approaches into simple language and directives. Personally I've become a believer that babies figure out how to self soothe without the cry-it-out approach. We've always done a bedtime routine that finished with lots of snuggling and a very drowsy baby placed gently in her crib. I remember vividly the first night Bailee said to me, "crib", and then went right to sleep on her own. Nice.

Idiot's Guide to Sleep Training For Your Child by Melissa M. Burnham, Ph.D., and Jennifer Lawler, Ph.D. is well worth buying. Dr. Burnham is an Early Childhood Education and the book is highly acclaimed by Dr. Judith Owens, director of a Childhood Sleep Disorders Clinic. Using the unusual approach of considering all the options thoughtfully and with great insight, the authors discuss the pros and cons of every method of helping your child sleep through the night naturally. Of course, every parent is aware there are many different "experts" who tout different methods, and these guides come and go almost as fads, but this book discusses each and how and when it might be useful, while stressing the importance of selecting one method that works for the parents' philosophy and the household and then sticking to it so as not to confuse the baby or young child. There is also a special section dealing with special needs children and a section on using Yoga, Massage, and other physical techniques. The book is organized with easy to find selections that are pertinent to each situation and Melissa's own note about each method is highlighted. The book is excellent and would make one of the best possible new baby gifts

I AM AN ATHLETE AND I WHEN I READ THIS BOOK IT PUT ME IN THE MOOD TO CHANGE MY LIFE. I WAS ALWAYS USED TO EATING "HEALTHY" BUT THIS BOOK PUT MY HEALTHY TO THE RIGHT HEALHTY!! GREAT BOOK!

When I first got this book I couldn't put it down. I loved all the ideas that it had in it. I hope that they come out with another book on the same lines as this one.

When I saw this book I thought this was just another nutrtion book but boy was I wrong. I am an athletic director at a local college and I have recommened that all my athletes go out and get this book. It teaches you how to stay active and healthy at the same time. I reccomend this book not only for athletes, coaches and other athletic directors but to the average person!!!