Books by Anson Dorrance

The Champion’s Way

By Anson Dorrance & Richard Rygg

Legendary coach Anson Dorrance, the mastermind behind the University of North Carolina’s unparalleled women’s soccer dynasty, teams up with Richard Rygg to deliver The Champion’s Way, a powerful and practical guide to developing the mindset of a champion. Drawing from decades of experience coaching elite athletes—including Mia Hamm, Tobin Heath, and Crystal Dunn—Dorrance unveils the proven philosophies, training methods, and mental frameworks that have shaped some of the greatest competitors in sports history.

This book isn’t just for soccer players; it’s for anyone striving for excellence—athletes, coaches, business professionals, and individuals looking to elevate their mental game. The Champion’s Way offers a structured step-by-step process to mastering the Champion’s Mentality, focusing on:

  • Establishing a winning mindset

  • Setting and committing to high standards

  • Cultivating relentless competitiveness

  • Building resilience through adversity

  • Using failure as fuel for growth

  • Executing daily habits that drive long-term success

Through stories, insights, and actionable exercises, Dorrance and Rygg provide a roadmap for unlocking your full potential—whether on the field, in the office, or in life.

If you want to train your mind to think, compete, and win like a champion, The Champion’s Way is your playbook for success.

Training Soccer Champions

By Anson Dorrance & Tim Nash

Training Soccer Champions by Anson Dorrance, co-authored with Tim Nash, is a book that provides insights into Dorrance's coaching philosophy, training methods, and strategies for developing elite soccer players and championship teams.

The book covers:

  • The Competitive Cauldron: Dorrance’s famous training method that fosters competition among players to drive excellence.

  • Technical and Tactical Development: Drills, exercises, and strategies to enhance individual and team performance.

  • Building a Winning Culture: How Dorrance instills a mindset of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

  • Motivation and Leadership: His approach to inspiring and leading players, both on and off the field.

  • Insights from UNC's Success: Lessons from his experience coaching the legendary University of North Carolina (UNC) women’s soccer program.

The book is ideal for coaches, players, and anyone interested in learning from one of the most successful soccer coaches in history. It combines practical training advice with deeper insights into what it takes to create a championship-winning team culture.

The Man Watching

By Tim Crothers

Tim Crothers’ The Man Watching is more than just a biography of Anson Dorrance—it’s a deep dive into the mindset, philosophy, and relentless competitive drive of one of the most successful coaches in sports history. At the heart of the book is the story of how Dorrance built the UNC women’s soccer program into an unparalleled dynasty, with a mix of innovative training, intense competition, and deep personal investment in his players.

An Intimate Portrait of Anson Dorrance
Crothers masterfully captures Dorrance’s personality—his wit, intelligence, and intensity.

The Competitive Cauldron Philosophy
A major highlight of the book is Dorrance’s Competitive Cauldron,.

Stories from Soccer Legends
The book includes personal accounts from players like Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and Cindy Parlow, who share how Dorrance shaped their careers and mindsets.

A Study in Leadership and Motivation
Dorrance’s ability to balance competition with connection is one of the book’s strongest themes.

The Vision of a Champion

By Anson Dorrance & Gloria Averbuch

Vision of a Champion is Anson Dorrance’s guide to developing elite female soccer players, infused with wisdom from his legendary coaching career at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Co-authored with Gloria Averbuch, the book combines technical training insights with powerful lessons on mentality, work ethic, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence.

The book covers:

  1. Mindset & Mental Toughness

  2. The Competitive Cauldron

  3. Lessons from Legendary Players

  4. Practical Training Advice

  5. Inspirational and Engaging Writing

Essential for any serious player, coach, or parent