Dave Clarke is head coach and editor of Soccer Coach Weekly, providing thousands of subscribers worldwide with drills, insight and advice covering all aspects of coaching.
in Blog, Tips and advice
Watching the Under 14s pass and move their way to a really pleasing victory this week I went home and decided I needed to see what I had worked on with this team when they were much younger and what had been the foundation for the way they were now playing. MORE
in Defending, Email newsletters
It may sound like I am being negative suggesting ways to stop teams passing but study any of the successful teams around the world and you will see the hard work that goes into stopping teams passing through or around midfields and defences. MORE
in Blog, Psychology
For a small minority of coaches embracing the unknown is something they like to do – it gives young players the added excitement of something new to test them and even though it is unchartered territory the rewards are much greater MORE
Long passes can be a key way to open up an opposition defence or to find space on the pitch by switching play. A great way to help young players to spot longer passing options and to see beyond the first players in their line of vision. MORE
in Email newsletters, Tips and advice
It is that time of year when coaches of all nationalities are drawn to the United States to gather together at the largest soccer convention in the world. Over five days there will be more than 250 educational opportunities for coaches MORE
Long shots often create chaos in the penalty areas of youth teams opening up chances from rebounds and blocks. Fire your team ahead by going long against tough opposition and score from the rebound MORE
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games
Getting back into the swing of training every week can be hard work. Certainly for me when faced with a dozen U9 players training last night was very stop/start as players got their legs working again and tried to pass and receive. MORE
in Email newsletters, Tips and advice
The best teams communicate on the pitch. Players encourage one another, call for the ball, organise the defence and look around them to see who is open to the pass. Communication is the key to making your team more successful. MORE
It is important for young players to recognise when the ball is passed to them by looking up at all times giving them more chance to control the ball. MORE
Possession, passing and support is vital to creating the chances that give your team the opportunity to score more goals. This is build up play to shooting at goal. MORE
in Email newsletters, Shooting
One thing we all wish for in the New Year is that our teams score more goals and do so using the style of play we work on with our teams at training. Pass and move, get into good positions and create goal scoring chances. MORE
in Blog, Tips and advice
I’ve got 14 things to think about in the new year – consider these points and see if you can work some of the principles into your everyday coaching. If you can, you’ll be a better coach because of it, I promise you. 1. Listen to your players Your players will always tell you if... MORE
in Email newsletters, Team Management
Read the advice while you are preparing for your New Year's Eve party! Why not invite your players for a get together while they are still on school holidays so they can have a kickaround with the ball while you talk to the parents about your plans for the coming season. MORE
A podcast from the beginning of 2019 with Dave Clarke and Dan Cottrell discussing different aspects of coaching MORE
Over the Christmas and New Year break it is a great time to sit back, put your headphones on and sink into your own world of coaching youngsters. To that end I have two things for you to listen to that gives great advice for your New Year coaching. The Soccer Coach Weekly podcast has... MORE
Gordon Maclelland is the CEO of Working with Parents in Sport which supports organisations, parents and coaches in working together to provide children with the best possible sporting experiences. MORE
in Podcast
Ian Barker is the director of coaching education at United soccer coaches which is a member of US soccer and is the biggest membership organisation of soccer coaches in the world. He has been inspiring players and coach educators since he arrived in the USA in 1987. In this podcast Ian talks about coach education and the high standards USA coaches are striving for. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Email newsletters
This is a great time of year to go through some 1v1s with your players... even though training has ended you can still get some of the players to turn up for an added value session working on the individual. MORE
in Ball Control and Footwork, Warm Ups
This is a great warm-up to get your players ready for a match or training session. Running with the ball under control, changing direction and passing MORE
in Arrival activities, Passing, Warm Ups
This five minute warm up drill is all about first touch and anticipating the pass. Good for fitness and getting players ready for movement and passing in matches. MORE
in Email newsletters, Fun soccer games
It is such a busy time of the year and parents and coaches alike still need to think about getting to training and running sessions that keeps the players focused even though their minds are on Christmas. And the fact that they had their Christmas party at the club at the weekend already gives an end of term feel! MORE
A session aimed at getting players to create and utilise space in midfield. With quick passing and movement, it should help open up the opposition and make goal scoring chances. MORE
in Blog, Team Management
A couple of seasons ago I was asked to take over an Under 16s team that the club said were underachieving – they wanted the team to get more success than they were having. So I went along to watch them.... MORE
The winter break is nearly here... it's been a hectic few months of training and match play but now is the time to sit back and BREATHE! MORE
