Resources To Learn More About the Beautiful Game

[DelChiverio]

I have a thrist to learn more about the beautiful game. What resources will you recommend someone who wants to know about the history, tactics, strategies, and structure of soccer teams. What web sites, magazines, videos, and books will you recommend?

I am especially interested in books. Are there books about the history of Mexican Football? How about books on the differing and various schools of football? Any books about the pros and cons of certain systems? Do we have access to magazines or sports papers about Mexican Football here in the United States? What basic, intermediate, and advanced books on the sport would you suggest?

With our enhanced understanding, perhaps some of us will decide to seek a career in soccer. There are many opportunities if one wishes to become a writer, commentator, television presenter, coach, and player in this exciting and wonderful sport. After all, futbol is the most popular sport in the whole world!

Even if many among us are not interested in a career in soccer, knowing more about the game will make us be better observers, fans, and our conversations about a match will be so much richer.

I will be grateful for any feedback especially coming from the experienced and long time members of BigSoccer. Thank you.

[LMvCP]

Anyone who is a novice to the game (Mexican soccer), I recommend studying the history of the game FIRST. Studying tactics is fun, but watching teams or leagues you know nothing about is not as fun.

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History

I recommend buying everything Clio has to offer. www.clio.com.mx (http://www.clio.com.mx)

Balón a tierra
Por amor a la camiseta
El oficio de las canchas
Los años difíciles
Moneda en el aire

La Selección Nacional I. Con el orgullo a media cancha
La Selección Nacional II. Por la senda del triunfo

Hazaña Fútbol - Esto - Vol. 1 - Vol. 10 + Edicion Especial

The series (Cronica del Futbol Mexicano) has a 6th book and has Cuau on the cover. The series breaks up the history of the game from 1898-1933, 1933-1950, 1950-1970, 1970-1986, 1986-1998, 2001-present.

Also, the Hazana Futbol comes with VHS tapes and each volume cover a section (Goal scorers, controversies, referees, fans, best goals, etc)

Clio also has 2 books on Club America, and has a book for Chivas, Cruz Azul, Toluca, Tigres, and UNAM. They also have the history of Aztec Stadium. None of what I mention is listed on the site, but if you call the store and wish to place an order... tell them you want to order all of that.

Also, there are 3 VHS tapes that you can buy about the History of Mexican soccer. Basically, its Cronica del Futbol Mexicano narrated to you, but still fun to watch.

The Clio books are not anything out of the extrodinary, but they do give you a good crash course on Mexican football and touch on a lot of issues throughout our history. You wanted basics, there you go.

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Stats

Any Mexican football historian (whether they are pro or amateur) must have those 2 books in their arsenal...

Cid y Mulet, J., Historia de Oro del Futbol Mexicano 1902 - 1960, 1960.

Wolfson, Issac. Historial Estadisticas del Futbol Profesional en Mexico 1943 -1996, 1996.

The book by Cid y Mulet shows you league standaings from the very first tournament every played in Mexico to the 1960 season. The thing about that book is that it was the most complete book on stats and then for some reason, no one really ever wrote another book about stats until Issac Wolfson.

The wonderful thing about the Cid y Mulet book is that you see all the teams that have ever played. You will hear of names you have never heard of like Popo Packaging Company, Rovers Football Club, etc. This book is very hard to find and if you do find it, expect to pay 4000-6000 pesos (400-600 USD). I only know one guy that actually bought this book for peanuts and thats because the person selling it did not know that book was a treasure among Mexican Football enthusiast.

The Wolfson book is a very nice book. It just covers the professional era. He wrote that book prior to the start of the short seasons.

However, there is not one book about Mexican football that is complete.. and that is a shame. The Wolfson and Cid y Mulet books are good, but not great. There is not one book in Mexico that breaks downs every season. for example..you cant see matchdays for the 1945 season.

[off topic - I know some get tired of hearing that in Mexico we dont support winners and pass it off as if its nothing. In Wolfson's introduction, he talks about his project and how it took him 19 months to write the book and the reason for it is because out of all the owners (past and present teams), only 3 helped him. THe rest either did not want to waste their time or did not see the point in having a true stats book. Wolfson then said that the Club owners are too shortsighted that they cant see what stats mean to the game.... a respect and appreciation for stats can increase attendence, can increase the level of play, can increase fan awareness... many games pass and many records are being broken, the only problem is that they are not being told (for example when the 40,000th goal was scored in the MFL).. he said by telling fans that a record is about to be broken, more fans will want to show up, which will mean more attendance revenue.. and players always want to break record, but what are they chasing if they dont know what is out there?]

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Structure

Bauer, G; Futbol. Factores de rendimiento, dirección de jugadores y del equipo. [1994]

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Tactics

H. Tassara Olivares. 1986, Pugna de futbol entre america y europe [1986]

This books talks about the different philosophies between the football played in Europe and the Americas. Also talks about the history of formations.

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Other Recommendations

-Casarin, Horacio; Un Idolo y sus tiempos

-Fernandez, Angel; (1994) La historia Fascinante. Esto es futbol, el juego del hombre;

-Fernandez, Jose Ramon; (1994) El Futbol Mexicano: Un juego sucio? [good read, but still without many facts]

-Galeano, Eduardo; (1995) El futbol a sol y sombra,

-Garcia Pimental, Roberto; Triunfos y tristezas del equipo tricolor

-Gonzales, Francisco Javier; (1991) Quien es quién en el futbol mexicano.

-Hernandez Luna, Juan; (1996) El futbol. El deporte espectacular, el espectaculo deportivo.

-Marcos, Fernando; (1982) Mi amante el futbol ;) [good read]

-Mejia Barquera, Fernando; Futbol mexicano gloria y tragedias 1929-1992

-Navarro, Navarro; Recuerdos de un futbolista

-Vasquez Henriquez, Alexis; (1993) Deporte, Política y Comunicación.

-Ramirez, Carlos F., Foot Ball en México y en el Mundo, México, 1978.

-El Futbol Mexicano ya no es Joven [1965] [the author's name slips my mind, but a GREAT book. I love this book. Great history, great anecdotes, etc)

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Magazines

Soccermania - B+ (Until someone makes a better mag than them on a weekly basis, that is all we really have. It is good, but it could be better)

Futbol Total - A+ (I like their editor and sports crew better. I just wish they were a weekly publication rather than a monthly one)

Tiro de Esquina - C (I dont know if they make this mag anymore, I have not seen it since 2002, how ever their early 90s material was great. Great stats, great interviews, etc. It just went down in quality)

Futbol - A+ (they dont make this anymore, but some great mags from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I buy these all the time at flea markets. Great interviews from players like Boggia, Hernandez, Carbajal, etc

Penalty - C (their older stuff is great. To tell you the truth, I dont know if they make it anymore, because I stopped buying it after it turned to shyt)

TiroPasion - F (GARBAGE.... do not even waste your time or money)

Then for your international reading, you can try France Football, Don Balon, or Grafico

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Websites

www.mediotiempo.com (http://www.mediotiempo.com)
www.espndeportes.com (http://www.espndeportes.com)
www.mundosoccer.com (http://www.mundosoccer.com)
www.sportsya.com (http://www.sportsya.com)
www.femexfut.org.mx (http://www.femexfut.org.mx)
www.esto.com.mx (http://www.esto.com.mx)
www.ovaciones.com (http://www.ovaciones.com)

From EOM main website, you can go to any number of local papers from different cities (Tampico, Queretaro, etc) and read thier sports section.

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[DelChiverio]

Wow! What a feast! Thank you for this nice list of resources. I will follow your suggestion about studying the history of the game first.

I have seen books on politics by the publishing house Clio, but I did not know that they also produced books on soccer. I will buy almost every book that you recommended. I will certainly buy the books relating to Chivas and the history of Mexican soccer. Sadly, I do not have a VHS device but I will search for the titles in a DVD format.

What you wrote about the stats is fascinating. It is ironic and tragic that the majority of the executives of the Mexican clubs are not interested in stats which would increase their revenue and motivate the fans. I will search for the Cid and Mulet book and buy Wolfson's book.

The book on tactics is intriguing. I can't wait to get my hands on that one.

I am going to research the magazines that you approved and avoid the ones that you disapproved.

I am very familiar and read almost everyday the websites you listed.

Do you know of any bookstores or distributors in the United States that may carry these excellent books? Perhaps a website which source is in the U.S.?

Thank you again for the very helpful and outstanding list LMvCP. I hope that our Mexican people may become more educated, learned, and knowledgeable about the beautiful game. In the larger picture, this will lead to the improvement of Mexican Football.

[LMvCP]

Most of Clio's series (Hazana & El Deporte Vive) are on VHS. When I went to the store back in may of 2005, they told me that they would have it converted on DVD by Christmas. So, I went again in Jan of 2006 and as of then, they still were not on DVD format.

The only videos that i know of that are available on DVD are actually distributed by Xenon Pictures. You can buy the DVDs for Pumas, Chivas, and America. You can also buy Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Hugo Sanchez's DVD. Those had come out in Dec 2005.

www.xenonpictures.com (http://www.xenonpictures.com)

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The book by Cid y Mulet is real hard to come by. Good luck trying to find it. When I tried to get that back some time ago, I had called the publishing house and they had told me they wont print it anymore. I found that book at a book store near the Templo Mayor in Mexico city. There are like 3-4 streets near the Zocalo that have nothing but book stores and publishing houses... that is where you will most likely find it..

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where do you live?

Fibra America, Soccermania, Futbol Total, Soy Azul, and Pumas Magazines are readily available in the US.

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You probably wont find Issac Wolfson book either. So, I did the next best thing, I got a hold of the author himself and reached a deal with him.

He has 2 books that he has published.

"Historia Estadística del Futbol Profesional en Mexico" (1996)

"Medio Siglo de Futbol Profesional en Puebla" (1997)

last time I spoke with him, he told me that he was close to finishing another book.

his email is wolfson82@yahoo.com

[fdp]

I almost picked up Clio's, Hazana - Hugo Sanchez DVD at tower records DVD store on Sunset the other day.

Do you own it RDL? Quality? I may have to go back and pick it up.

[LMvCP]

I almost picked up Clio's, Hazana - Hugo Sanchez DVD at tower records DVD store on Sunset the other day.

Do you own it RDL? Quality? I may have to go back and pick it up.

i would buy it just to have....they show alot of his goals.... just amazing... anybody that says that he was just a goal poacher and not able to create space and make his own goals.. is full of it.

Hugo said a while back that he is working a deal with TVE because he wants to come out with his own DVD that shows every single goal he scored in Europe...

[fdp]

I regret not buying it. They had two copies on hand. The price was right under $15 dollars.

Next time I head out that way I will most likely make the purchase.

I hope Hugo gets the deal done with TVE.

The other day while picking through a discount bin, I found a a DVD put out by Venevision Titled:

Futbol Mexico 70

Has some good footage of the 70 World Cup matches. I also enjoyed the footage of the various stadiums hosting the Cup , especially that of Estadio Azteca and its surroundings.

Strange thing about this DVD is that it starts out with a story of a young Mexican boy wanting to attend the world cup. He travels alone to D.F. and hooks up with this lady whos companion just happens to be press from the United States. He uses the mans credentials to get into Estadio Azteca. The storyline is updated periodically throughout the DVD.

[FMF_LFP]

Get yourself a copy of ANECDOTARIO DEL FUTBOL MEXICANO, by Carlos Calderon . you will learn many new facts and the book is not boring at all. Very short and to the point

Documentary (Mexico 1986) shows a whole recap and highlights of all the games incorporated in a very short story starting in the Intro.

Hugo Sanchez, Mexicano Triunfador DVD- you will get to see all his career goals

I heard of Hugo Sanchez- Rey de Espana DVD ( havent watched it but seems like a good 2nd choice)

Y los Dioses Jugaron Futbol , Mexico 70 (1970) DVD ( quite a treat to see videos of Beckenbauer, Tostao, Pele ) Must say the video is pretty short in highlights and the narration sucks , but makes up for it by watching the drammatic history)

[LMvCP]

Get yourself a copy of ANECDOTARIO DEL FUTBOL MEXICANO, by Carlos Calderon . you will learn many new facts and the book is not boring at all. Very short and to the point

Carlos is a friend of mine. He told me that he was going to finish up that book before the World Cup had started. In this months edition of Futbol Total, his book is being advertised as a new release.

I am sending him a World Cup media stat guide that I picked up in Germany.

He was written many books fro Clio.

He truly is one of the few writers that is passionate about Mexican football history. And what is great about him, is that he is very acessible.

I heard of Hugo Sanchez- Rey de Espana DVD ( havent watched it but seems like a good 2nd choice)

this is the one i was telling FDP about.

[DelChiverio]

LMvCP:
What store did you go to buy the DVD's? A Clio store? Was it a store in Mexico? I will visit the Xenon Pictures website. It would be nice to travel to Tenochtitlan to visit the bookstores and publishing houses. I live in "Sin City", Nevada.

surfkappafutbol:
Calderon's book should be a fun and stimulating read. The DVD's you offered should be a nice addition to my soccer library.

[Panfilo]

LMvCP gets an orgasm everytime someone asks him this question

:D


Try getting some of Tostao's columns. They are in Portugese but you can get by with Spanish.

Man is a genius.

Great footballer, doctor and analyst.

[Perndog2006]

I have a 7 year old son and i take him to play soccer with me .. but the last tiem i went i sprained my knee for the third time.. my son was playin goalie and actually stopped a hard kick! ... i just dont know how to teach him how to play soccer.. by that i mean how to handle the ball and learn the game itself.. other than takin him to play soccer.. i dont know were to start.. specially since im out of playing soccer for like 6 months.. so if you guyz have any suggestions let me know .. thanks

[LMvCP]

LMvCP:
What store did you go to buy the DVD's? A Clio store? Was it a store in Mexico? I will visit the Xenon Pictures website. It would be nice to travel to Tenochtitlan to visit the bookstores and publishing houses. I live in "Sin City", Nevada.



i didnt go to a store to get those DVDs. Those DVDs are available on ebay and in some places in the US, they are available at Bestbuy. Xenon Pictures distributes alot of Televisa material (Clio pertains to Televisa).

If you do go to Mexico City, there is a Clio store.

[Panfilo]

I have a 7 year old son and i take him to play soccer with me .. but the last tiem i went i sprained my knee for the third time.. my son was playin goalie and actually stopped a hard kick! ... i just dont know how to teach him how to play soccer.. by that i mean how to handle the ball and learn the game itself.. other than takin him to play soccer.. i dont know were to start.. specially since im out of playing soccer for like 6 months.. so if you guyz have any suggestions let me know .. thanks

Brazilian warm up

They need technique at this age.

Tactics and fitness come later.

Form pairs; and pass the ball back and forth.

One touch, left and right feet

Then you work on heading. One of them throws it while the other one heads it back. Vice Versa.
Then chest traps; and thigh traps.

Repetition is key.

Have them play small square games. So they can get used to the pressure.

Teach them the wall pass (pared). And how to defend a pared.

[Perndog2006]

Brazilian warm up

They need technique at this age.

Tactics and fitness come later.

Form pairs; and pass the ball back and forth.

One touch, left and right feet

Then you work on heading. One of them throws it while the other one heads it back. Vice Versa.
Then chest traps; and thigh traps.

Repetition is key.

Have them play small square games. So they can get used to the pressure.

Teach them the wall pass (pared). And how to defend a pared.

i will try some of that stuff.. thanks!... my knee starts to hurt after a bit.. i sprained it for the first time sometime this june and i keep spraining it when i play.. it feels like lost time for my son.. the thing with repetition is that my son probably is ADD .. and forgets what we are doing .. kinda pisses me off but i know i must be patient and keep trying... thank you man...

[Panfilo]

i will try some of that stuff.. thanks!... my knee starts to hurt after a bit.. i sprained it for the first time sometime this june and i keep spraining it when i play.. it feels like lost time for my son.. the thing with repetition is that my son probably is ADD .. and forgets what we are doing .. kinda pisses me off but i know i must be patient and keep trying... thank you man...

Just Remember 4 pillars of futbol

Technique
Tactics
Fitness
Psychology

Technique is worked on by repetition.
Tactics and Fitness is when they get around 12-13 you start teaching.
Psychology- just encourage the kid when they are young the last thing you want is for the kid to lose the love of the game. Teen years is when you can begin to push the kid more.

[LMvCP]

LMvCP gets an orgasm everytime someone asks him this question

HAHA

and arent these better threads than the jacking off ones? i bet you if the pedroesque type posters would pick up even a fourth of what I recommended, they would be able to be more active in footie forums. They would be able to present arguments based on stats, historical accounts, interviews, facts, etc...


Try getting some of Tostao's columns. They are in Portugese but you can get by with Spanish.

Man is a genius.

Great footballer, doctor and analyst.

I have read a couple of his columns. When I asked a buddy of mine about him (this was some years ago) he said in a jokingly way that his one eye made him see the game differently.

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I actually havent bought any books from Bilardo, but I like to read about him and his tactical philosophies. He use to play with 3 men in the back (and his line of reasoning was that in modern footbal, most teams played with 2 forwards and therefore having 3 in the back still had a numerical advantage). Funny how the 3-5-2 formation is one of the most common formations today...
..

[Panfilo]

I actually havent bought any books from Bilardo, but I like to read about him and his tactical philosophies. He use to play with 3 men in the back (and his line of reasoning was that in modern footbal, most teams played with 2 forwards and therefore having 3 in the back still had a numerical advantage). Funny how the 3-5-2 formation is one of the most common formations today...
..

Bilardo is a genius thats why he went crazy. Unless you were playing against a Holland (4-3-3) the 3-5-2 is always a safe choice. Plus the transition from a 3-5-2 to a 5-3-2 is simple.

I would have named him Argentine coach once again. Coco never convinced me the first time around.

AFA is more corrupt than the FMF, they blackballed him for years.

[LMvCP]

They need technique at this age.

Tactics and fitness come later.

I agree that technique is vital at that age. Learning how to use both feet, how to defend, how to strike the ball, how to recieve the ball, HOWEVER, I disagree that fitness should be taught later.

Fitness and Technique should be taught simultaneously. Both depend on one another. You can only do what your body allows.

Fitness workouts shouldnt be rigorous (at that age level) nor should they put stress on a child's skeletal structure. Fitness also includes teaching a kid the proper way to eat and at the age of 7, it is easier to get a kid into eating the right way. One of the main reasons why fitness is so vital at that age is because it helps a kids self esteem. When you have kids a little overweight that cant perform certain drills, it tends to lower their morale. Aside from working more with them, it is important to attack the problem at the root--the wieght problem does not allow a kid to perform at a level of enjoyment.

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If you go to Toluca's museum, they have a library that covers everything from Mexican football history to Sports Management to Fitness and Performance.

I went this past december and wrote down the ISBN numbers of the books that cuaght my eye...one of them was specifically one about training methods

[Rebaño_Sagrado]

If you go to Toluca's museum, they have a library that covers everything from Mexican football history to Sports Management to Fitness and Performance.
So what other teams have library's that you are aware of?