Before learning how to win, learn how to grow first.

Representative of 'Jo Se-min's Football Lesson'
Coach Jo Se-min's Soccer Mentoring

“This book is what I have been reading for the past 10 years.
This is a record of the enlightenment gained through seeing, hearing, and experiencing things on site.
And as a soccer coach, and as another senior in life
“This is a story I definitely want to pass on to the next generation.”

“For those who want to grow into professional players,
It requires more than just acquiring skills; it requires a thorough understanding of soccer and the right direction.

In that sense, this book is about learning soccer skills.
I think it will be an excellent guide for all young people and their families.”
- Choi Ho-young (International Committee Member, Korea Sports Council, BS89 Youth Soccer Club Representative)

It's a heartbreaking story, but most kids don't become professional athletes.
However, the childhood experience of doing your best to pursue your dreams with the trust of your parents will be a more valuable asset than any failure.
I, too, only played professionally for a year.
But the 10 years I spent pursuing my dream with the support of my family still live and breathe within me.
Because it has become a solid pillar in my life.
Because I had that time, I was able to pioneer the rest of my life.
Parents who are reading this book, please walk that path together with your child for just one year so that your child can have that kind of time too.
That 'one year' before embarking on the path to becoming a professional soccer player can change the life of not only the child but the entire family.

--- p.22 「01.
"Can my child become a soccer player?"

The core elements that make up soccer are generally divided into four: technique, tactics, physical strength, and psychology, but I view soccer as a five-element system that includes one more element, 'Football Intelligence'.
Many people understand fundamentals as skills, but I don't see fundamentals as just the ability to perform movements.
Fundamentals are a concept that includes the 'thinking ability' to properly use skills during a match.
In other words, ‘technology (function) + thinking (understanding) = true fundamentals.’
In this way, fundamentals go beyond simple functional training and require a deep understanding of 'how to interpret and execute soccer.'
--- p.50 「06.
From "What are the fundamentals of soccer?"

Many people misunderstand that 'improving soccer skills' is the same as 'improving academic grades'.
But soccer is different from studying.
If studying is a process of continuously understanding high-level concepts and solving new problems, soccer is a process of accurately implementing the same skills in more complex and difficult situations based on basic concepts.
In other words, if studying is a process of ‘expanding knowledge,’ soccer is a process of ‘deepening the basics.’
The technique is the same, but the space is narrower, the pressure from defenders is faster, and the psychological burden is greater.
So we need to repeat the same technique, but make it faster and more accurate.
The key is ‘ball sense’.
--- p.79 「10.
From "Basic Soccer Skills - Ball Sense 2"

Ball control is not simply the skill of stopping the ball.
This skill alone reveals a lot about a player: ① Does he read the flow of the game? ② Does he have situational awareness? ③ Does he prepare for the next play? ④ Does he have ball instinct? ⑤ How well does he handle situations?
In fact, in high-level matches, there are many scenes where a single touch of the ball can break down the defensive line, create a shot timing that didn't exist before, and lead to creative play.
all.
How a player touches the ball, or 'controls the ball', is a mirror that shows his 'soccer skills'.

--- p.145 「14.
From “Basic Soccer Skills - Ball Control”

Nowadays, no matter how great your individual skills are, if you can't read the game situation, those skills become useless at crucial moments.
On the other hand, a player who can quickly decide when, where, and what to do, even without flashy skills, can lead the flow of the game and become the center of the team.
Ultimately, the starting point of these judgments is ‘situational awareness’.
In the past, 'ball handling skills' were a measure of soccer skill.
But now, players who can read the overall flow of the game, anticipate the next situation, and respond accordingly are more highly regarded.
--- pp.197-198 「17.
From “Situation Resolution Ability - Situational Awareness Ability”

I tell the players who learn soccer from me:
“It’s okay if you can’t keep a training log.
But on match days, you absolutely must keep a 'match log.' Why? Because many players let their valuable match experiences slip away.
The successes and failures, the momentary judgments and choices made on the field, disappear without being sorted out.
What problem will this cause? The same mistake will inevitably be repeated in the next game.
If you don't write it down, you can't remember it, and if you don't remember it, you can't supplement it with training.
So, a match log is not just a simple record, but a bridge that connects training and matches, and a tool for growth that turns experiences into learning that is ingrained in your body.

--- p.225 「19.
From “Situation Resolution Ability - Match Experience”