Academy Training Sessions ($25) should really be titled "Drills to make a good soccer team better."  Part of the World Class Coaching series, the book contains over 120 drills, a glossary and a legend.

World Class Coaching produces some of the best training books we see.  They tend to be short and focused.  Academy Training Sessions Volume 2 is no different.  The book is targeted at experienced coaches and experienced teams.  Some of the drills would take an entire session to teach a recreational team.  For a more experienced team and more experienced coach, there are many good ideas here.

The book is broken down into three sections:

1. Technical Coaching Sessions - focuses on basic skills of dribbling, passing, receiving, defending, crossing and shooting
2. Functional Coaching Sessions - includes counter attacking, switching the field of play, speed of play, supporting roles, covering the field and pressure
3. Tactical Coaching Sessions - focuses on shape, set plays, movement and organization

Each page contains two related drills.  Each drill consists of a description and set up; progressions; coaching points; and a diagram.  All of the drills have value.  They range from simple "dribble from here to here" to a full 11 v 11 scrimmage.  The big gap is the lesson plan.  Each of these drills stands alone as a component of a training session.  However, there is no information on how to turn the drill into a match-like or match play game.

The book is written by Rob Gale.  Mr. Gale holds a UEFA License.  He has coached at many levels in Canada, US and the UK.  He is also a former youth player with Fulham FC from the English Premier League.