Gol! [VHS]

I've been playing soccer for over 10 years and have seen most of the major videos. I had no idea what to expect when I got this video - I actually had bought it mainly since it had Mr. Woo on there. But, this turned out to be one of the best advanced individual skills videos I've seen. This video is geared for the advanced player - if you're beginner/intermediate, most of the other videos or just clips off the net will cover basics like Matthews, Cruyff move, etc. This video doesn't waste a lot of time with that (which I really enjoyed). You'll see alot of moves to beat an opponent, freestyle/juggling tricks, etc. not covered in other videos I've seen. Recommended if you want to take your game to the next level.

This is the most fun soccer coaching DVD I've ever watched and the best to inspire players to practice to improve ball control, foot skills and moves. I can watch it over and over and every time it thrills me, inspires me and makes me realize why I love soccer and why it's called the "beautiful game". Every coach at any level will get good training and warm-up ideas from this DVD. This was a very expensive DVD to produce. A detailed list of the Contents is below. 85 minutes:

Minute Topic
00:00 Part 1. Introduction- Simon Clifford: Simon Clifford is the founder of the Brazilian Football Academy and Brazilian Soccer Schools and did the soccer training for the "Bend it Like Beckham" movie. His program now has over 150,000 students and is in over 400 soccer schools
1:16 Part 2. Footwork, Moves, and Controlling the Ball- Basic moves (This is called the "Foundation" and can be done inside the house)
3:13 Using the sole of the foot -- A basic training move using the sole of the foot to move the ball (can be done inside)
4:35 "Stepping Out" (what we call "Tap on Top") - This can be done inside the house
6:30 "Step + Cross Over". Tap on Top and a behind the leg touch (this is difficult)
7:45 Step Over Push Out" - This is very difficult
9:20 The Ronaldo
12:20 The Emerson
13:30 Part 3. The boys favorite footwork exercises (a variety of fast feet exercises are shown). This is fun to watch.
23:30 Part 4. Juggling using the outside of the feet
25:50 Juggling using the inside of the foot.
27:20 Combined Juggling
29:00 Low-High Juggling
32:00 Low-High with Spin
35:22 Using your Chest
36:45 Using your Shoulder
38:00 Thighs, Shoulder, Head
39:35 Part 5. Freestyle. Watch this - it is amazing.
43:07 Part 6. Possession soccer (examples of how the moves can be used in a game - this is fun to watch)
46:53 Part 7. Passing and Receiving (this emphasizes the importance of practicing short passes, like our "Passing Pairs" game)
49:05 3 Meter Passes - Very good, like our Passing Pairs game.
49:52 Using the Sole of the Foot - This is Good
51:51 The Slam Over - a deceptive reception
52:32 Coventional Passing/Receiving (English style)
54:02 Controlling a High Ball
54:40 Adding Disguise When Receiving a Pass
55:47 Passing using the outside of the foot
57:08 Using the Ronaldo move to beat the opponent
58:52 Juggle passes
60:30 Part 8. Controlling the ball in the air
60:50 Returning the ball using the inside of foot (This is Good. Like our "Volleying Pairs" game on Premium)
61:30 Controlling Spin
62:42 Controlling Balls at varying angles, speeds and spins
63:48 Returning the ball using outside of foot
64:20 Controlling the ball with thigh, head and chest
66:30 Passing with your head
67:39 Passing a bouncing ball (this is very good)
70:35 Controlling the ball while on the ground
72:10 Part 9. Ways to lift the ball from the ground (19 ways to use the feet to lift the ball from the ground into the air. These are amazing).
74:25 Part 10. Striking the ball
74:30 Using Backspin on passes (Excellent demonstration)
76:16 Using the inside of the foot to strike the ball and curve it (Excellent demonstration, the best we've seen)
80:00 Using outside of foot to strike the ball and curve it (Excellent demonstration, the best we've seen)
83:10 Part 11. Beating your opponent (1 v. 1 moves). Watch these, they are fun.
85:30 Part 12. Credits and End

Bonus: Mr. Woo's 14 Minute Workout. (NOTE: This part doesn't play properly on some DVD players. Consider it a bonus if it works. ) Juggling the ball using every part of the body. Normal players are not going to be able to do this, and it isn't very applicable to real soccer; it's like watching a professional juggler, not a soccer player who can juggle. The commentary doesn't start until 2:20 minutes into it. Every copy of the U.S. version of Gol! has this problem and it doesn't help to for us to send a different copy. Assume this part won't work, but you aren't missing anything that would help you as a coach or that would help your players.

After waiting 5 MONTHS to receive this video, it was greatly disappointing. Boring documentary that offers little insight into either soccer or Brazil, and NO instructional value to an aspiring player. My son loves soccer, is fascinated by Brazil, and watched this video ONCE before declaring it a dissapointment. Buy another video!