How to Watch Soccer

In this meticulous compendium of soccer tactics, formations, patterns of play, and player psychology, Gullit, who was the captain of the Netherlands team that won the 1998 European Football Championship and the 1990 World Cup, provides the perspective of a former player and coach. His guide provides an insider’s take on regional styles of play and football cultures, comparing continental football to the game as it is played in England and elsewhere. Gullit’s exhaustive examples can at times feel somewhat dense; the most illuminating moments arrive when he shows how formations, patterns of play, and regional differences in referee calls contribute to wins and losses. Gullit offers reasonable advice for players, coaches, and fans willing to sift through his many examples. For instance, “poor defenders tend to concentrate on the ball,” and individuals who want to watch a game properly are wise to shift their attention away from the ball and toward systems and patterns of play. Coaches should “start with the basics, the defense,” because what matters to a team “happens when you don’t have the ball.” Gullit’s informative guide may be too dense for those new to the sport, but players and coaches will benefit from this expert’s approach to the game. (Mar.)