The Soccer Coaches List has held several discussions of the personal favorites of various list members, which may be found in the archives. Some of the personal favorites of longtime list members Bruce Brownlee, Dan Roudebush and Connie Matthies are:
Power Soccer Basics and Dribbling/Feinting by Vogelsinger; Teaching Soccer Fundamentals by Wiel Coerver (especially Tape 2- which illustrates slide tackles), first tape in goalkeeping sets by Machnik and DiCicco (which show beginning keeper skills). They also like Coerver's 1.2.3 - Goal series, but prefer the Fundamentals set.
International Tactics Series (Dan only likes the tapes of Individual Skills, but Bruce and Connie like the whole set); FA Tactics & Skills series (especially the tapes on Attacking and Creating space); Zico's Brazilian Soccer tape; Coerver Drills Series; Plyometrics and Soccer Aerobics; Dutch Soccer School; Van Bolkum's "On The Attack"; and the remaining tapes in the Vogelsinger Video Coach series.
Of course, none of these coaches has seen every video on the market, so this is just a sampling of favorites of these particular coaches.
This is an overview of videos which have been seen by a number of list members, and are viewed as good additions to the coaching library. Note that many clubs and state associations have video libraries which may contain these videos, or others which are equally as good. Tapes usually can be rented for a small charge, so that you can decide if the video is one which you wish to add to your permanent collection.
One of the more popular coaching series on tactics and strategies. For intermediate-level coach and above (although newer coaches may find the individual tactics series to be helpful). Five tapes in the series (may be purchased separately):
This video focuses on the decisions and choices of the player in possession of the ball. It presents concepts in a simple, logically consistent manner. The following areas are covered: Shooting, Dribbling, Passing to penetrate, Problems, Attacking excellence, Dribbling & passing to relieve pressure
This video focuses on the decisions and choices of the defender closest to the ball. It presents 143 concepts in a simple, logically consistent manner. The following areas are covered: Tackling, Denying the turn, Interception, Defending Excellence, Defending zones, Defending in the three thirds of the field
This video focuses on the roles played by supporting attackers in all phases of attacking play: 2v1, 2v2, Combination play, Role of the third attacker, Finishing central attacks, Finishing attack from the flanks
This video focuses on the roles played by supporting defenders in all phases of defending. The following areas are covered: Covering, Marking, Tracking, Double teaming, Defending combination play, Balance, Compactness.
The training methods presented here, in combination with the concepts presented in the first four tapes in this series, will improve a teams level of play by increasing the effectiveness of training sessions. The following areasare covered: The nature of training, Correction, Tactical Training, Problems, Key factors, Flow, Organization of tactical training
Tape 1: Covers the foundation of the Coerver method: ball touch and control, skills training
Tape 2: Covers 1v1 moves; moves to get past and beat an opponent
Tape 3: Covers putting it all together: creating and converting goal scoring chances
Tape 4: (Companion tape to set of 3): Discusses the moves of the world's legendary players: the official "study at home" Coerver method training.
Tape 1 - Builds on drills to teach basic skills contained in "1.2.3 Goal & Coerver Coaching" series
Tape 2 - Shows more advanced drills to focus on footwork, as well as passing exercises
Tape 3 - Shows even more advanced/complex drills to focus on basic passing/receiving skills, including lots of work with lofted balls.
An excellent tape for the advanced/high school level coach. Illustrates ways to build speed and explosiveness through jumping & stretching exercises
A step-by-step guide to kicking, juggling, heading, passing, and trapping. Excellent tape for beginning coach who has not played soccer. Illustrates proper form for most standard soccer skills (other than dribbling); shows common errors and corrections.
Shows exercises you can do with a soccer ball in your home or as a part of practice warmups to build endurance, agility, and flexibility.
Tape 1 - introduction, basic techniques, suppleness & fast footwork, feinting
Tape 2 - beating an opponent, sliding tackles, group games, kicking techniques
Excellent series for the intermediate to advanced coach.
Tape 1 - Soccerobics: exercises with the ball combine soccer skills, aerobic conditioning, & physical development
Tape 2 - Kicking: scoring goals, passing and interpassing
Tape 3 - Dribbling & feinting: basic & sophisticated combinations
Tape 4 - Ball control: receiving on ground, trapping, controlling in air
Tape 5 - More advanced skills, including heading: chip passes, banana shots, side volleys, overhead scissor volleys
Tapes show principles of individual attacking particularly well, including feinting. Moves usually shown at least two different camera angles, at full speed and slow motion. Most of the moves are seen with different players as well.
Shows common attacking patterns to finish to goal, with two, three, four, or more players. Many of the sequences numbered so you can transcribe easily. Filmed from two different angles, one high behind the goal, so you cansee the development of each exercise. You can develop movement off the ball, combination play, crossing attack, finishing, and 1v1 attacking stuff from this tape, and the goalkeeper gets a lot of work as well.
Shows multiple moves to receive and trap balls, and to move the ball in tighter spaces. Probably a tape for advanced players, or coaches of the same.
Excellent series on training goalkeepers. Nice illustrations of ways to show keepers how to set angles; proper hand position; proper footwork; diving saves; parries; etc.
Tape 1 deals with beginning keeper training; Tape 2 involves more detailed training; Tape 3 focuses on training the keeper as a part of the team.