Soccer Anatomy

Soccer Anatomy combines step-by-step instructions and full-color anatomical illustrations to convey proper form of the 79 soccer-specific exercises that increase speed, strength, and agility as well as prevent injury. Exercises are arranged anatomically, making it easy to target specific muscle groups.

Take an inside look at the world’s most popular sport. Soccer Anatomy will show you how to elevate your game by increasing strength, speed, and agility for more accurate passes and powerful shots.

Soccer Anatomy includes 79 exercises, each with step-by-step descriptions and full-color anatomical illustrations highlighting muscles in action.

SoccerAnatomy goes beyond exercises by placing you on the pitch and in the game. Illustrations of the active muscles involved in kicking, heading, tackling, and diving show you how each exercise is fundamentally linked to soccer performance.

From attacking to defending to goalkeeping, Soccer Anatomy will improve every aspect of your game. You’ll learn how to modify exercises to target specific areas based on your style of play, personal needs, and goals. And you can prepare for competition by minimizing injuries using a system developed by FIFA’s medical research program.

Combining authoritative advice, expert instruction, and stunning four-color illustrations, Soccer Anatomy is truly an inside look at this one-of-a-kind sport. Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, if you’re serious about soccer, this is one book you need to own.

Preface

Chapter 1 The Soccer Player in Motion

Chapter 2 The FIFA Warm-Up

Chapter 3 Arms

Chapter 4 Shoulders and Neck

Chapter 5 Chest

Chapter 6 Back and Hips

Chapter 7 Abdomen

Chapter 8 Legs: Muscle Isolation

Chapter 9 Legs: Complete Power

Chapter 10 Whole-Body Training for Soccer

Additional Resources

Exercise Finder

About the Author

“Dr. Kirkendall’s experience as a player, coach, and sport scientist of the highest caliber is unbeatable. Anyone involved in the game will gain invaluable insights from Soccer Anatomy.”-- Sam Snow,Coaching Director, US Youth Soccer

"Soccer Anatomy will show you how to run faster, resist fatigue, and survive the collisions in our contact sport. It''s a must-have resource for every coach and player." -- Anson Dorrance,Head Coach of UNC Women''s Soccer, 21-Time National Champions

"Soccer Anatomy is essential for anyone wishing to learn the real science behind the power, endurance, and coordination required for playing soccer." -- Dev Mishra, MD, President, Sideline Sports Doc, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Member of USSF Team Physician Staff

Donald T. Kirkendall is uniquely positioned to author Soccer Anatomy. He earned a PhD in exercise physiology from The Ohio State University and went on to teach human anatomy, physiology, and exercise physiology as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse and Illinois State University. In 1995 he was recruited to join the sports medicine program at Duke University Medical Center and then at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research interests focus on sports medicine and physical performance with an emphasis on team sports—especially soccer. Since 1997 he has written a sport science column for the monthly magazine Southern Soccer Scene.

Dr. Kirkendall began competing in soccer during middle school and continued to play during high school and junior college and at Ohio University, where he competed in the NCAA tournament. He continues to play