Soccer Science

Tony Strudwick has experience working in national and international performance structures, providing strategic and long-term planning for management of elite athletes. He is head of performance at Manchester United Football Club, a post that involves managing a world-class department of 18 full-time and consultant performance staff members. He manages the short- and long-term strategies of the performance services, ensuring the day-to-day running of the performance department is of the highest professional standard. Recruited by Sir Alex Ferguson, Strudwick developed a research branch of the scientific support strategy intended to further the science department at Manchester United. He helped to shape a state-of-the-art sport science laboratory at the AON Training Complex. Since 2006, Strudwick has been part of a FIFA Club World Cup championship along with Premiership, UEFA Champions League, Carling Cup, and Charity Shield winning teams. He was selected as part of the backroom team of the English F.A. to support the England national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He has an extensive background in player development structures from elite youth to senior level in both England and the United States. He has completed consultancy work with Nike, Red Bull, Google, AON, and GlaxoSmithKline. Strudwick completed his post-graduate doctoral thesis at Liverpool John Moores University in 2006. In addition, he has a comprehensive background in teaching and lecturing at the graduate level, such as being an F.A. staff teacher for the F.A. Fitness Trainer’s course, while also earning a UEFA pro licence, an A licence, and a Youth Coaches Award. Strudwick has held positions with Blackburn Rovers F.C., West Ham United F.C., English F.A., Coventry City F.C., and United Soccer Academy.

Part I. Foundations of Soccer Science

Chapter 1. Evolution of Soccer Science (Neil Carter)

Chapter 2. National and Cultural Influences (Craig Duncan and Tony Strudwick)

Part II. Talent Identification and Player Development

Chapter 3. Practical Aspects of Player Selection and Development (Iñigo Mujika and Carlo Castagna)

Chapter 4. Development of the Young Soccer Player (Viswanath Unnithan and Jon Iga)

Chapter 5. Skill Acquisition and Learning Through Practice and Other Activities (Paul Ford)

Part III. Biomechanics and Technological Applications

Chapter 6. Biomechanical Principles of Soccer: Translating Theory Into Practice (Anthony Blazevich and Sophia Nimphius)

Chapter 7. Refining Techniques and Skills Through Scientific Analysis (Neal Smith)

Chapter 8. Practical Biomechanics for Optimal Performance and Injury Prevention (Martin Haines and Daniel Cohen)

Chapter 9. Soccer Boots and Playing Surface (Thorsten Sterzing)

Chapter 10. Soccer Ball Dynamics (Andy Harland and Henry Hanson)

Part IV. Physiological Demands in Training and Competition

Chapter 11. Targeted Systems of the Body for Training (Greg Dupont and Alan McCall)

Chapter 12. Conditioning Programmes for Competitive Levels (Tony Strudwick and Gary Walker)

Chapter 13. Environmental Stressors (Donald Kirkendall)

Chapter 14. Nutritional Needs (Mayur Ranchordas)

Chapter 15. Injury Frequency and Prevention (Dr. Mario Bizzini and Dr. Astrid Junge)

Part V. Psychology and Mental Demands

Chapter 16. Psychology and Elite Soccer Performance (Geir Jordet)

Chapter 17. Mental Game Interventions (Matt Pain)

Chapter 18 Performance Mindset (Mark Nesti)

Part VI. Tactics and Strategies

Chapter 19. Popular Systems and Styles of Play (Jens Bangsbo and Birger Peitersen)

Chapter 20. Defensive Pressure and Goal Prevention (Sam Erith and Gary Curneen)

Chapter 21. Key Transitions and Midfield Maneuvers (Dave Tenney and Sigi Schmidt)

Chapter 22. Essential Elements of Attacking Soccer (Richard Hawkins and Darren Robinson)

Part VII. Match Performance and Analysis

Chapter 23. Player and Team Assessments (Rob Mackenzie and Chris Cushion)

Chapter 24. Match Evaluations: Systems and Tools (Chris Carling)

Chapter 25. Statistical Evaluations in Soccer (Ron Smith)

Epilogue: The Future of Soccer Science (Tony Strudwick)