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Go for the Goal
In Go for the Goal, the "greatest women's soccer player on the planet" (Sports Illustrated for Women) reveals the secrets of her success on and off the field.
For the more than seven million girls—from knobby-kneed tykes to high school and college stars—who are tearing across the country chasing a soccer ball and dreams of glory, there is one name that eclipses all others, male or female: Mia Hamm. With her cheetahlike acceleration and lightning-bolt shot, Hamm broke nearly every record in her sport, while galvanizing a whole generation of fans and players.
Go for the Goal is not only the inspiring story of how a tiny suburban sprite became a global terror with a ball (and the world) at her feet—it's also a step-by-step or dribble-by-dribble guide for any kid with the all-American dream of making the team and becoming a champion.
Filled with personal anecdotes and fully illustrated with both action and instructional photographs, Go for the Goal shows readers exactly how to master the silky skills and techniques that made Hamm and her teammates the finest women's soccer team in the world.
For the more than seven million girls—from knobby-kneed tykes to high school and college stars—who are tearing across the country chasing a soccer ball and dreams of glory, there is one name that eclipses all others, male or female: Mia Hamm. With her cheetahlike acceleration and lightning-bolt shot, Hamm broke nearly every record in her sport, while galvanizing a whole generation of fans and players.
Go for the Goal is not only the inspiring story of how a tiny suburban sprite became a global terror with a ball (and the world) at her feet—it's also a step-by-step or dribble-by-dribble guide for any kid with the all-American dream of making the team and becoming a champion.
Filled with personal anecdotes and fully illustrated with both action and instructional photographs, Go for the Goal shows readers exactly how to master the silky skills and techniques that made Hamm and her teammates the finest women's soccer team in the world.
222 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1999
83 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Mia Hamm
11 books32 followersMariel Margaret Garciaparra, best known as Mia Hamm, is a retired American soccer player. Hamm played many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm has scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male or female, in the history of soccer (158).
Hamm is an iconic symbol of women's sports and an inspiration and role model to a generation of sports-minded girls. As part of the first generation of women to grow up with gender equality rights after Title IX passed, she received the college scholarships, endorsements and training opportunities necessary to become a top athlete. She was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon called Hamm, "Perhaps the most important athlete of the last 15 years."
She retired from the sport in 2004, when she played her last game in the 2004 Fan Celebration Tour to commemorate the U.S. women's national team's victory in the 2004 Olympics. In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame by having 137 votes of the 141 ballots cast. Women's Professional Soccer, a professional soccer league that launched in 2009, features Hamm's silhouette in its logo.
Hamm was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on March 11, 2008.
Hamm is an iconic symbol of women's sports and an inspiration and role model to a generation of sports-minded girls. As part of the first generation of women to grow up with gender equality rights after Title IX passed, she received the college scholarships, endorsements and training opportunities necessary to become a top athlete. She was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon called Hamm, "Perhaps the most important athlete of the last 15 years."
She retired from the sport in 2004, when she played her last game in the 2004 Fan Celebration Tour to commemorate the U.S. women's national team's victory in the 2004 Olympics. In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame by having 137 votes of the 141 ballots cast. Women's Professional Soccer, a professional soccer league that launched in 2009, features Hamm's silhouette in its logo.
Hamm was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on March 11, 2008.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 13, 2008
Anything to do with Soccer is up my alley, AND I LOVE Mia Hamm, she's amazing!
July 18, 2025
This book made me miss soccer more then I already do.
November 6, 2007
I first read this book when I was taking the Iowa tests in second grade. I was in love with soccer and I also loved Mia Hamm. I have read this book several different times since then, and I am impressed every time with Hamm's amazing soccer skills and work ethic.
June 4, 2018
I think this book was amazing. It showed how you can't always be perfect and you've got to just play for the love of it. Also, I could see this book encouraging many people. This may be one of my favorite books and I can easily say I LOVE MIA HAMM.
June 4, 2008
I am a soccer feind so apparently I liked it, but I'm not really in to documentaries, but still, I liked it.
June 19, 2008
Whooooo! Go Mia Hamm!
February 24, 2010
great and filled with lots of tips
August 17, 2017
Update 1: I read this book earlier in the summer but I forget what pages I was on on which dates. This book is about Mia Hamm, one of the most influential and popular female soccer players ever. After reading the first chapter, where Mia described her life as a young player, I learned that she was very talented but also hardworking from a young age. She also talked about having a difficult time when first joining the U.S. Women's soccer team and not being able to keep up with the other girls. She had to work very hard on her own to move up to their level and eventually surpass their level.
Update 2: After reading the next few chapters where Mia began to talk about different aspects of the game, I learned that she is very knowledgeable on the game and had taken the time to learn what would make her successful. In chapter 4, Mia talked about how in a Women's World Cup final against Sweden, her and her teammates had to keep a level head despite falling behind multiple times throughout the game as far as the score was concerned. I think this shows that Mia knew what it would take for and her team to be successful and was willing to do what it took to make it happen.
Update 3: In these past few chapters, Mia talked about specific aspects in the game of soccer such as; shooting, dribbling, and passing. She discussed her own strengths and weaknesses in these areas and gave examples of how she improved in each area. A trait that this would show about her is that she is personable and helpful. This makes her more relatable to young girls and boys who look up to her and makes her influential in their lives. As I said she discussed her weaknesses in different aspects of the game. This showed me that although we all have our difficulties, we can work to overcome them like she did, one at a time.
Update 4: After reading chapter 12, where Mia talked about consistency, I learned that she considered small things that were consistent little accomplishments that could lead to an even greater accomplishment in the end. She talked about how it was sometimes troubling to bring the same mental intensity to each game she played, but how it was vital to the team's success. She said that her team struggled with doing this, but worked their hardest to be consistent at it. To me, this shows that everyone is human and has a bad day, but can work hard to overcome their struggles.
Review: "Go For the Goal" by Mia Hamm is an inspiring story of how Mia became a successful and influential soccer player. The book was sectioned into three different ideas. The first section was all about her life and how she overcame obstacles on the soccer field as she grew up. She also gave specific examples on obstacles she overcame and gave advice on how the reader could overcome those obstacles as well. The second section of the book talked about individual aspects of the game and advice on how to improve in each of these aspects. The third and final section of the book included talk on how to be the best version of yourself on and off the field. She discussed what she did to be the best she could despite any obstacle the game threw her way.
Impact: With Mia discussing her obstacles as a female soccer player and how she overcame those obstacles, she inspired many young athletes to do the same. She put forth a positive mentality throughout her book which is very inspiring for others to do the same.
Theme: The theme I would use to describe this book would be perseverance. One example of this would be at the beginning of the novel when Mia talked about playing soccer as a little girl. She played with the boys, because there were no girls' teams. Although she got made fun of when she was little by the boys, she worked harder than they did to prove she was just as good as them, if not better!
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any young athlete looking to improve themselves, because Mia used a positive tone throughout the novel to discuss her hardships and how she overcame them. I find this very inspiring and applicable in my own life as an athlete as well.
Update 2: After reading the next few chapters where Mia began to talk about different aspects of the game, I learned that she is very knowledgeable on the game and had taken the time to learn what would make her successful. In chapter 4, Mia talked about how in a Women's World Cup final against Sweden, her and her teammates had to keep a level head despite falling behind multiple times throughout the game as far as the score was concerned. I think this shows that Mia knew what it would take for and her team to be successful and was willing to do what it took to make it happen.
Update 3: In these past few chapters, Mia talked about specific aspects in the game of soccer such as; shooting, dribbling, and passing. She discussed her own strengths and weaknesses in these areas and gave examples of how she improved in each area. A trait that this would show about her is that she is personable and helpful. This makes her more relatable to young girls and boys who look up to her and makes her influential in their lives. As I said she discussed her weaknesses in different aspects of the game. This showed me that although we all have our difficulties, we can work to overcome them like she did, one at a time.
Update 4: After reading chapter 12, where Mia talked about consistency, I learned that she considered small things that were consistent little accomplishments that could lead to an even greater accomplishment in the end. She talked about how it was sometimes troubling to bring the same mental intensity to each game she played, but how it was vital to the team's success. She said that her team struggled with doing this, but worked their hardest to be consistent at it. To me, this shows that everyone is human and has a bad day, but can work hard to overcome their struggles.
Review: "Go For the Goal" by Mia Hamm is an inspiring story of how Mia became a successful and influential soccer player. The book was sectioned into three different ideas. The first section was all about her life and how she overcame obstacles on the soccer field as she grew up. She also gave specific examples on obstacles she overcame and gave advice on how the reader could overcome those obstacles as well. The second section of the book talked about individual aspects of the game and advice on how to improve in each of these aspects. The third and final section of the book included talk on how to be the best version of yourself on and off the field. She discussed what she did to be the best she could despite any obstacle the game threw her way.
Impact: With Mia discussing her obstacles as a female soccer player and how she overcame those obstacles, she inspired many young athletes to do the same. She put forth a positive mentality throughout her book which is very inspiring for others to do the same.
Theme: The theme I would use to describe this book would be perseverance. One example of this would be at the beginning of the novel when Mia talked about playing soccer as a little girl. She played with the boys, because there were no girls' teams. Although she got made fun of when she was little by the boys, she worked harder than they did to prove she was just as good as them, if not better!
Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any young athlete looking to improve themselves, because Mia used a positive tone throughout the novel to discuss her hardships and how she overcame them. I find this very inspiring and applicable in my own life as an athlete as well.
April 11, 2024
In the book "Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life" by Mia Hamm, readers are taken on a journey through the life of one of the greatest women's soccer players in history. The book not only shares Mia Hamm's personal story but also imparts valuable lessons on how to improve one's skills both on and off the field.
Mia Hamm begins by recounting her struggles and triumphs, shedding light on the dedication and hard work required to reach the pinnacle of success in soccer. She emphasizes the importance of mental focus and highlights the need for support from others, stressing that success is a team effort. Through her own experiences, she underscores the significance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.
Moreover, "Go For The Goal" delves into the technical aspects of the game, offering insightful tips and drills to enhance players' abilities. From ball control to shooting and dribbling, Mia Hamm provides practical advice accompanied by detailed descriptions and helpful visuals. The inclusion of photographs adds an extra layer of understanding, making it easier for readers to grasp the concepts and techniques discussed in the book.
As a reader, one cannot help but be inspired by Mia Hamm's passion for the sport and dedication to her craft. Her words resonate with anyone, regardless of their level of expertise in soccer, making the book a valuable resource for aspiring athletes looking to improve their game. The lessons shared in "Go For The Goal" extend beyond the soccer field, offering valuable insights that can be applied to various aspects of life.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking motivation and guidance in pursuing their goals, both in sports and in life. Mia Hamm's story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and belief in oneself. "Go For The Goal" is a compelling read that will leave a lasting impression on its readers, encouraging them to strive for excellence and never give up on their dreams.
In conclusion, "Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life" is a must-read for soccer enthusiasts and individuals seeking inspiration to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Mia Hamm's words of wisdom and practical advice make this book a valuable addition to any athlete's library, serving as a beacon of hope and motivation for those embarking on their journey toward greatness.
Mia Hamm begins by recounting her struggles and triumphs, shedding light on the dedication and hard work required to reach the pinnacle of success in soccer. She emphasizes the importance of mental focus and highlights the need for support from others, stressing that success is a team effort. Through her own experiences, she underscores the significance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges.
Moreover, "Go For The Goal" delves into the technical aspects of the game, offering insightful tips and drills to enhance players' abilities. From ball control to shooting and dribbling, Mia Hamm provides practical advice accompanied by detailed descriptions and helpful visuals. The inclusion of photographs adds an extra layer of understanding, making it easier for readers to grasp the concepts and techniques discussed in the book.
As a reader, one cannot help but be inspired by Mia Hamm's passion for the sport and dedication to her craft. Her words resonate with anyone, regardless of their level of expertise in soccer, making the book a valuable resource for aspiring athletes looking to improve their game. The lessons shared in "Go For The Goal" extend beyond the soccer field, offering valuable insights that can be applied to various aspects of life.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking motivation and guidance in pursuing their goals, both in sports and in life. Mia Hamm's story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and belief in oneself. "Go For The Goal" is a compelling read that will leave a lasting impression on its readers, encouraging them to strive for excellence and never give up on their dreams.
In conclusion, "Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life" is a must-read for soccer enthusiasts and individuals seeking inspiration to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Mia Hamm's words of wisdom and practical advice make this book a valuable addition to any athlete's library, serving as a beacon of hope and motivation for those embarking on their journey toward greatness.
July 19, 2019
I don't know if it is because the book might be meant for an audience younger than me or because of the writing style of the author (and/or co-author), but I had a hard time getting through this. The book is mostly about playing soccer and how to develop your skills through drills, practice and game theory. The reason this was a slog was because the motivational phrases and suggestions were repeated multiple times in each chapter so I felt like I was re-reading what I had just read. I guess the assumption is that younger readers need repetition to have a lesson sink in? Mia used examples from her career to illustrate the goals of each drill which I liked- that is what I wanted from the book since I am no longer of a soccer playing age. Even here though, it still was awkward since the training info and anecdotes were mixed together and contributed to the tedious repetition. I would have preferred to see the training drill explained and then have the anecdotes used afterwards to emphasize the practical effects of the drill.
The last two chapters of the book are where things finally deliver what I was looking for- details about Mia Hamm's life, soccer career, insights about the team and the experiences she had after winning the World Cup in 1999. I would have loved an additional chapter about her experiences in the WUSA league but that happened after the book was published. So, this book works for younger readers wanting validation of their dedication to soccer training techniques but it is less insightful about Mia Hamm's life since she barely covers that aside from examples to illustrate the training programs. I stuck with the book though because Mia Hamm is my all-time favorite soccer player and I wanted to learn more about her since she is very reserved in public appearances and interviews. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to watch some You Tube videos of Mia slicing through opposing defenses and scoring goals.
The last two chapters of the book are where things finally deliver what I was looking for- details about Mia Hamm's life, soccer career, insights about the team and the experiences she had after winning the World Cup in 1999. I would have loved an additional chapter about her experiences in the WUSA league but that happened after the book was published. So, this book works for younger readers wanting validation of their dedication to soccer training techniques but it is less insightful about Mia Hamm's life since she barely covers that aside from examples to illustrate the training programs. I stuck with the book though because Mia Hamm is my all-time favorite soccer player and I wanted to learn more about her since she is very reserved in public appearances and interviews. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to watch some You Tube videos of Mia slicing through opposing defenses and scoring goals.
April 12, 2019
I read the book Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life by Mia Hamm. This book is one that I will definitely pick up again. Go For The Goal is not only a story about the life of one of the most amazing soccer players, but also teaches you how to work on many skills to improve your playing on the field.
In Go For The Goal Mia Hamm starts by sharing her life, and how she came to be one of the best Women's soccer players in the world to this day. She explains how there are many struggles that you must go through, and gave examples, such as how she struggled to focus mentally while playing soccer. She shares how you have to use the help of others, and that you can't do everything on your own, both on the pitch and off it. Not only does Mia Hamm share about the mental aspects about the game, she teaches and explains the physical part of it. She gives many examples of drills that can help improve any players game, such as Trapping the ball, shooting, dribbling, heading, and many more skills. The book provides pictures of the drills and descriptions to help understand better.
I would definitely recommend this book, I recommend to any female (or male) soccer player that is looking to improve in soccer, and life overall. I loved that the book provided many pictures because I am such a visual person. The Photos really helped me to understand her life and the dills. There is not one thing that I did not like about his book, I enjoyed every page of it. Overall I absolutely loved this book. Like I said, I will definitely read Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life by Mia Hamm again.
In Go For The Goal Mia Hamm starts by sharing her life, and how she came to be one of the best Women's soccer players in the world to this day. She explains how there are many struggles that you must go through, and gave examples, such as how she struggled to focus mentally while playing soccer. She shares how you have to use the help of others, and that you can't do everything on your own, both on the pitch and off it. Not only does Mia Hamm share about the mental aspects about the game, she teaches and explains the physical part of it. She gives many examples of drills that can help improve any players game, such as Trapping the ball, shooting, dribbling, heading, and many more skills. The book provides pictures of the drills and descriptions to help understand better.
I would definitely recommend this book, I recommend to any female (or male) soccer player that is looking to improve in soccer, and life overall. I loved that the book provided many pictures because I am such a visual person. The Photos really helped me to understand her life and the dills. There is not one thing that I did not like about his book, I enjoyed every page of it. Overall I absolutely loved this book. Like I said, I will definitely read Go For The Goal: A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life by Mia Hamm again.
September 14, 2022
This is pretty, but I'm such a soccer freak that I was fascinated.
And truly, my rating has a caveat that childhood me would have adored this way more than I do now. As a ten year old who didn't have a real coach (bless my father for putting in so much work from age 5 to 14, but soccer was not his sport and his coaching was mostly limited to "run fast, kick hard, have fun"), this book would have meant the world to me with all the drills and detailed discussions on technique. It would have made a big difference in my game and knowing how to improve by myself.
As an adult who doesn't play anymore, it's less relevant and to be honest a little bland, but I still enjoyed reading it quite a bit. I just like soccer. I'm sure there's better out there than this book, but I loved it too for all the specific stories about Mia Hamm and her teammates, and the memories of moments they had in games. I kind of wish I'd read it by a computer so I could have looked up videos every time she mentioned a specific play from a specific game.
I dunno if I'd recommend this to many people because it is just a lot of basic soccer tips. If you're coaching a young team or are a young player, there's probably better books on the subject out there, but I'd still recommend giving this a go. I had fun and that's all I really need.
And truly, my rating has a caveat that childhood me would have adored this way more than I do now. As a ten year old who didn't have a real coach (bless my father for putting in so much work from age 5 to 14, but soccer was not his sport and his coaching was mostly limited to "run fast, kick hard, have fun"), this book would have meant the world to me with all the drills and detailed discussions on technique. It would have made a big difference in my game and knowing how to improve by myself.
As an adult who doesn't play anymore, it's less relevant and to be honest a little bland, but I still enjoyed reading it quite a bit. I just like soccer. I'm sure there's better out there than this book, but I loved it too for all the specific stories about Mia Hamm and her teammates, and the memories of moments they had in games. I kind of wish I'd read it by a computer so I could have looked up videos every time she mentioned a specific play from a specific game.
I dunno if I'd recommend this to many people because it is just a lot of basic soccer tips. If you're coaching a young team or are a young player, there's probably better books on the subject out there, but I'd still recommend giving this a go. I had fun and that's all I really need.
October 15, 2022
During a visit to the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY earlier this fall, I learned that Mia Hamm was in the next class of inductees. Her book was available at the gift shop and I bought it.
The five stars I gave it reflect how much GO for the Goal met my needs. I became a minority owner of a third tier soccer club in Austria, FC Pinzgau Saalfelden, through the Fan Owned Club. However, I knew almost nothing about soccer. Mia Hamm's book changed that, and I have a much better appreciation of the basics of playing the game. I'll keep the book on my shelf if for nothing else than the glossary in the back. Thank you, Mia!
If you want to know more about the Fan Owned Club, go to https://fanownedclub.com/. FC Pinzgau has a women's team that could make a name for themselves.
The five stars I gave it reflect how much GO for the Goal met my needs. I became a minority owner of a third tier soccer club in Austria, FC Pinzgau Saalfelden, through the Fan Owned Club. However, I knew almost nothing about soccer. Mia Hamm's book changed that, and I have a much better appreciation of the basics of playing the game. I'll keep the book on my shelf if for nothing else than the glossary in the back. Thank you, Mia!
If you want to know more about the Fan Owned Club, go to https://fanownedclub.com/. FC Pinzgau has a women's team that could make a name for themselves.
January 2, 2017
I gave this book a 4 star rating because I truly enjoyed this book very much. It also taught me a ton of useful skills, techniques to us to improve my game of soccer. Though because it was written by a soccer player it was not as well crafted as most books, but it did give the reader drills, and skills to use which is the purpose of the book. For example, when the author was talking about how to properly shoot the ball she just gave a list, "Keep your toe down, Keep your ankle locked, follow through to target, ect." No this is very helpful information to a soccer player but it's lacking the craft of a true author. But overall this book was a great read and taught me so much!
April 3, 2020
Go for the Goal is a perfect novel for any person, whether you are an athlete or not, written by the legendary Mia Hamm. Mia Hamm is known as one of the greatest female American Soccer players of all time, and an amazing role model. Go For The Goal mixes Hamms own life, personal experiences, and soccer all in the same book. She includes formations for playing, drills and skills to learn, and tips and tricks that she learned. I do find the book a little complicated to read, as Hamm bounces around from subject. Overall, Go For The Goal is an inspirational memoir for athletes or non-athletes.
December 13, 2017
This book was very motivational for me. If you’re looking for a book to possibly help with self esteem or things similar, I would recommend this book. Even tho the book says it’s about soccer, it’s about so much more. The cover of the book says, “a champion guide to winning in soccer and life”. So even if you aren’t looking for a book to do with soccer, or you know nothing about soccer, this could still be the book for you.
April 30, 2023
Favorite passage: ...encouraging note: "The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when nobody else is watching." This book would be an excellent read for young soccer players. Many notes on training logs, hints and tips from Mia and other prominent soccer players.
July 21, 2018
Not quite what I expected as there are just little snippets of Mia's career. But a great book for a 10 or 12 year old girl that plays soccer. Good insights into the game and a positive message of being a strong team player. Definitely having my 10 year old read this next.
April 8, 2023
Very insightful and well written! I love the technical terminologies used throughout the book and I was able to visualize all the soccer moments described by Mia. Amazing book to read for any footballer.
November 19, 2024
Go for the Goal is a biography about Mia Hamm’s personal experience with soccer. This story shows how her love for soccer expanded and her skills eventually increased. After many years of playing soccer with boys for a harder experience she made it to the U.S. national team. This event changed her life for the better.
This story contains no direct story, more of scattered experiences and events that took place in her life. She has one main point in the entire book, soccer. She uses quotes from her teammates to explain complicated moves and routes. This book could be used as a guide to get better at the sport.
Overall, this book was enjoyable to read and over the course of a month It is easy to read. It being only 200ish pages long making it faster paced and not too long of a read. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to pursue soccer and likes the national league for womens.
This story contains no direct story, more of scattered experiences and events that took place in her life. She has one main point in the entire book, soccer. She uses quotes from her teammates to explain complicated moves and routes. This book could be used as a guide to get better at the sport.
Overall, this book was enjoyable to read and over the course of a month It is easy to read. It being only 200ish pages long making it faster paced and not too long of a read. I would recommend this book to anyone trying to pursue soccer and likes the national league for womens.
June 24, 2023
Bible
January 20, 2023
the girlboss of soccer
Read
June 8, 2015An inspirational book I read was, “Go For the Goal: A Champion’s guide To Winning In Soccer And Life” By Mia Hamm. This book is an autobiography of Mia Hamm’s life and everything she did to become the best soccer player she could be. In this book she shares lots of messages and quotes that got her through all the pain and made her never give up. I read this book because I love soccer and wanted to know what the best womens soccer player in America would say about the game.
Mia Hamm was born in Selma, Alabama and got into soccer when she was little. She practiced everyday and when she would fail or mess up she would re-do the drill or practice the move again. All she thought about was soccer, she never gave up and finally met her goal, play for the US nationals team. Conflicts in this book was when she would get hurt or she would mess up really bad. Mia quickly learned that if you really want something, you can’t stop reaching for your goal and working hard or else you will never succeed.
The conclusion was very inspiring because she just talks about her experience playing professional soccer and all the things she learned from playing. She learned that if you play on a team you all have to be working 100% of the time on the field and in training to be the best. Working together as a team would only lead to victory and prizes in the future. My favorite part of the entire book was when she would talk about all the World Cup’s she was in and scoring so many goals it set a record for the most goals scored. It was such an interesting part because it really inspired me to never give up and never quit.
In my opinion, this book wasn’t just inspiring, it was creative and she really made a connection with whoever was reading it because she was once a little girl who picked up a soccer ball and started practicing like all soccer players. I also loved how this book talked about a lot of messages and quotes that will always be stuck in my head. People who love sports and soccer should read this book because it will change their mindset of everything and inspire them to be hard workers just like Mia Hamm. I am so happy I read this book.
Mia Hamm was born in Selma, Alabama and got into soccer when she was little. She practiced everyday and when she would fail or mess up she would re-do the drill or practice the move again. All she thought about was soccer, she never gave up and finally met her goal, play for the US nationals team. Conflicts in this book was when she would get hurt or she would mess up really bad. Mia quickly learned that if you really want something, you can’t stop reaching for your goal and working hard or else you will never succeed.
The conclusion was very inspiring because she just talks about her experience playing professional soccer and all the things she learned from playing. She learned that if you play on a team you all have to be working 100% of the time on the field and in training to be the best. Working together as a team would only lead to victory and prizes in the future. My favorite part of the entire book was when she would talk about all the World Cup’s she was in and scoring so many goals it set a record for the most goals scored. It was such an interesting part because it really inspired me to never give up and never quit.
In my opinion, this book wasn’t just inspiring, it was creative and she really made a connection with whoever was reading it because she was once a little girl who picked up a soccer ball and started practicing like all soccer players. I also loved how this book talked about a lot of messages and quotes that will always be stuck in my head. People who love sports and soccer should read this book because it will change their mindset of everything and inspire them to be hard workers just like Mia Hamm. I am so happy I read this book.
November 2, 2011
Kira Favakeh
Mrs. Romaniuk and Mr. Moyer
Book Review #2
4 November 2011
Go for the Goal:
A Soccer Players Life Line
If you’re reading this book review, I hope you like soccer because that’s what this book is all about. Go for the Goal is an autobiography/ informational book by Mia Hamm, one of the best soccer players in the world. If you want her insight about the game of soccer, this is a perfect book for you!
Go for the Goal includes tips on trapping, passing, dribbling, shooting, heading, and even goalkeeping. Mia makes references to her personal soccer experience throughout the book. It’s interesting to read about how Mia has come to be such a strong player. She offers her advice on how to excel in your own soccer career and has even put in quotes from other professionals. Many of them give very helpful tips including Tisha Venturini who says, “You have to go up without fear. You must always attack the ball.” (171.) Mia also approaches the importance of both the mental and physical game of soccer in an inspiring way.
Go for the Goal even includes a “Soccer Glossary” for any soccer lingo you could need. Mia has thought of everything a soccer player needs too know and put it in one book. This book is not only helpful, but it’s a good read. I didn’t put it down until I was done and understood every new piece of knowledge the book had too offer me. Go for the Goal is the best book I can recommend for any soccer playing reader out there.
Mrs. Romaniuk and Mr. Moyer
Book Review #2
4 November 2011
Go for the Goal:
A Soccer Players Life Line
If you’re reading this book review, I hope you like soccer because that’s what this book is all about. Go for the Goal is an autobiography/ informational book by Mia Hamm, one of the best soccer players in the world. If you want her insight about the game of soccer, this is a perfect book for you!
Go for the Goal includes tips on trapping, passing, dribbling, shooting, heading, and even goalkeeping. Mia makes references to her personal soccer experience throughout the book. It’s interesting to read about how Mia has come to be such a strong player. She offers her advice on how to excel in your own soccer career and has even put in quotes from other professionals. Many of them give very helpful tips including Tisha Venturini who says, “You have to go up without fear. You must always attack the ball.” (171.) Mia also approaches the importance of both the mental and physical game of soccer in an inspiring way.
Go for the Goal even includes a “Soccer Glossary” for any soccer lingo you could need. Mia has thought of everything a soccer player needs too know and put it in one book. This book is not only helpful, but it’s a good read. I didn’t put it down until I was done and understood every new piece of knowledge the book had too offer me. Go for the Goal is the best book I can recommend for any soccer playing reader out there.
February 11, 2011
so far this book talks about the story of Mia Hamm. A soccer player from United states and she tells you some tactics that are useful for soccer and also she has always something to say about her soccer life.
2/7/11
Today she talks abut the technique of heading the ball and all the stuff you need to do to be a good header. heading can decide whether you win or loss a game. heading is a powerful tactic if you know how to use it.
2/9/11
the part that i read today was about how to be a winner. she says that to be a winner you have to be consistent on what you do. also, being consistent helps you to be a complete player. she says that winner is pretty much everything because that is what you fight for, to win. also, she talks about her experience being a world champion with the national team.
2/10/11
The cover is a picture of thw writter of the book and soccer player Mia Hamm. it looks like she is going for the goal as the title of the book says " go for the goal". the title is in big letters remarking the importance of this. to win in life you have to pursue all your goals, no matter if you dont accomplish them at least you have tried.
2/7/11
Today she talks abut the technique of heading the ball and all the stuff you need to do to be a good header. heading can decide whether you win or loss a game. heading is a powerful tactic if you know how to use it.
2/9/11
the part that i read today was about how to be a winner. she says that to be a winner you have to be consistent on what you do. also, being consistent helps you to be a complete player. she says that winner is pretty much everything because that is what you fight for, to win. also, she talks about her experience being a world champion with the national team.
2/10/11
The cover is a picture of thw writter of the book and soccer player Mia Hamm. it looks like she is going for the goal as the title of the book says " go for the goal". the title is in big letters remarking the importance of this. to win in life you have to pursue all your goals, no matter if you dont accomplish them at least you have tried.
February 22, 2016
I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me so much motivation and the will to never give. Mia Hamm(Well known U.S. Women’s Soccer Player) tells her story about the game she gave her life to. She talks about how she started, what she has feared and what she has overcome. It is a great tale about hard work, dedication and never giving up. Hamm tells almost every story in her career that had lead her to her success. Also, this her book showed how her success never got to her head and she continued to work on improving and becoming the best player she could be. She tells the mental and physical aspects of the game which I felt were very similar to other sports. Even if you are not a soccer player, I feel like you can learn some valuable information from this book like I did. One thing I didn’t enjoy was her tips and tricks sections of the book. She would explain and have pictures of her doing soccer moves. I wasn’t reading the book to learn about how to do soccer but to learn about her success and her steps to it. Besides this I would recommend this book to all athletes.
October 9, 2019
This book was really a great way to help anyone in their game, if they are looking to get better. I love learning from someone who I really look up to. And Mia Ham is such an amazing player, that I really enjoyed learning from her. She has many great points that even if you are an amazing player, you can still learn so much. Or even if you are just starting out, it’s a great way to start learning. Something I wish that she would have done different was, I wish that she had more stories, and kind of wrote it with a story line. Just to kind of make it more interesting. One thing that I thought was really interesting was how she put life lessons in soccer. She really puts life into perspective of how it should be. Soccer has been such a big part in my life that I could really connect with how she described things. I also loved how she put her notes and what she did to become better in the book too. It gave me some great ideas of what to work on, on my own.This book was a great book and I definitely recommend it to anyone with the will to get better.
May 18, 2014
Go For the Goal : A Champion's Guide To Winning In Soccer And Life Is amazing. Inspirational, and motivating, I really enjoyed it. It is a light read, with full color pictures, and provides a unique insight to Mia Hamm's early life and childhood, and also provides unique game tips from her and her teammates. It breaks the game down into key components, and provides tips and drills to improve these skills. It shows how with simple teamwork, dedication, and hardwork, you can be champion both on and off the field. I enjoyed this book, as it has a lot of detail, and is a very interesting biography. I found that even though at the start it seems biographical, it also has elements of informational too. I recommend this to anyone who needs a biography, likes sports, soccer, women's soccer, or is just looking for a good read.
November 25, 2015
Mia Hamm wasn't just one of the greatest soccer players of all time but she also helped soccer become a girl sport. Mia Hamm all her life until she was an adult played on guys teams. She was better than most of the boys and that is why she was a very strong player. When soccer for girls was just started many people didn't enjoy it because they thought soccer was a men's game. That is very wrong. Now today the Women's National Team stadium is filled with everybody. The most interesting part of Mia's life was how dedicated she was to soccer and becoming a better and better player. In conclusion Mia Hamm is a very great woman that everyone should be inspired by. You should very much buy this book.
November 16, 2015
The reason I really wanted to read this book is because I wanted to learn about how Mia Hamm got to be such a good soccer player. I also wanted to know about her, before she was a professional soccer player. An important lesson I learned from this book is not never give up, and to strive for greatness. Also, you have to work for your goals, they don't just come like that. You have to train by yourself, and with the team. You have to push yourself to be the greatest. This book taught me a lot on how to train yourself to be the best, and how to improve mentally, physically, and emotionally as a soccer player.
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