Dave Clarke is currently the Head Coach at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He holds the position of USSF licensing director for the State of Connecticut and is a US National Staff Instructor. He has traveled extensively to professional clubs around the world to continue his soccer education. Dave has gained a reputation in coaching circles as one of the top young coaches in the USA. He currently holds a USSF ‘A’ License.

Activity #1:

1v1

Set Up:

Cone on the corner of the penalty area, two other cones five yards apart. Keeper in the goal. Players set up to attack and defend. Work on both sides of the goal or rotate as needed.

Explanation:

Attacking player on inside, dribbles around the second cone, turns and goes to goal. He cannot shoot until he is inside the penalty area. When the attacker goes past the first cone, the defender sprints to the first cone, back to the start and then out and closes down the attacker. Defender looks to win the ball and clear. Attacker looks to finish.

Coaching Points:

• Attacking player must dribble at pace
• Sharp turn around the cone
• Accelerate into the penalty area
• Do not allow the defender a chance to recover
• Defender must recover as quickly as possible
• Get ball side as quickly as possible
• Slow down the attacking player if possible
• Don’t dive in
• Reciver behind the keeper if he commits to the attacker.

Activity #2:

2v1

Setup:

Same set up as previous activity, but now the players play 2v1+K (2v2).

Explanation:

Two attacking players on inside, one dribbles around the second cone, the other supports and overlaps. The player with the ball can pass or dribble. Attackers cannot shoot until the ball is inside the penalty area. When the attackers go past the first cone, the defender sprints to the first cone, back to the start and then out and closes down the attacker. Defender looks to win the ball and clear. Attackers looks to finish.

Coaching Points:

• Same points as previous activity
• Attacking players decide when to pass and when to dribble
• Can the runner take the defender away to allow for 1v1 with the keeper
• Runner follows in for any rebounds or pull backs
• Timing and angle of overlapping run
• Use the runner by not using him
• Defender and keeper must work together to limit the scoring chances
• Can defender turn a 1v2 into 1v1

Activity #3:

2v2

Set Up:

Same set up as previous activity, but now the players play 2v2+K (2v3).

Explanation:

Same set up, but now add a second trailing defender.

Coaching Points:

• Same points as previous activity
• Attacking players must solve the issue of the second defender
• Attacking players decide when to pass and when to dribble
• Can the runner take the second defender away to allow for 1v1 with the keeper
• Runner follows in for any rebounds or pull backs
• Timing and angle of overlapping run
• Use the runner by not using him
• Defenders must decide who is closing down the ball and who is tracking the runner
• Keeper must communicate with his two defnders
• Can defenders turn a 2v2 into 2v1 and double team.