Darrel Clarke

Coaching Sessions

Attacking play against a 4-3-1-2 formation

In Possession

This is a specific match preparation session that I like to use when we are due to face a team that we expect to be playing in a 4-3-1-2 formation with a midfield diamond, so our focus is on switches of play into wide areas to create overloads.

‘Keep ball’ and counter shooting

Attacking

This session is about keeping hold of the ball and making good use of it in transitions (as we might do with counter-attacks in games). It involves keepers in that process and works on all aspects of the game, from basic possession to reactions and movement.

Creating scoring chances from wide

In Possession

This session is designed to create plenty of goal scoring opportunities from wide areas when attacking in a 4-4-2 formation. Through repetition, it allows the forwards to work on attacking the penalty area in numbers and with well-timed runs.

Biography

Darrell Clarke first moved into coaching at the tail end of his playing career, when he was appointed player-manager of non-league Salisbury City. He subsequently led the club to promotion into the Conference Premier with two play-off final victories in three seasons.

After a spell as assistant manager at Bristol Rovers, Clarke was appointed manager in March 2014 but he could not prevent the struggling club from dropping out of the Football League that season. However, he successfully guided Rovers back at his first attempt, and just a year later he led the team to automatic promotion to League One with a third-place finish in the division. He won the Football League Two Manager of the Month award in March 2016.

After a period at League Two Walsall he was appointed manager of Port Vale in February 2021.

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Darrel Clarke

Coaching Sessions

Attacking play against a 4-3-1-2 formation

‘Keep ball’ and counter shooting

Creating scoring chances from wide

Biography

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