NOTE: This guide was compiled from several D License clinics that I attended over several years.  Special thanks to the clinic instructors: Kenny White, Stuart Fitzsimmons, Lisa Howe and Jason Vitrup. These notes are no substitute for the clinic as there is no substitute for the interaction with the instructor and fellow coaches.  Rather it is intended as a helpful guide for those taking the course. The real benefits of the USSF courses come from the work done on the soccer fields.  Ken Gamble

Tactics

Deny - Destroy - Develop (Low Risk, High Safety)

1. Immediate chase (pressure) 
2. Fall back and delay (retreat/jockey)
3. Concentration (funnel/channel)
4. Balance (depth)
5. Control/restraint (challenge for ball)
6. Start counter attack (first thought transition)
7. Possess - rest - prepare

Thirds of Field - Safety vs. Risk  

Attacking Third

• Safety - low    Risk - high

• Finishing zone

• Shooting priority one

• Encourage players to be creative

• Dribbling and combination play very important  

Middle Third

• Safety - medium   Risk - medium

• The build up zone

• Ball possession critical

• Allow backs time to work into offense

• Recognition of numbers up or down

• Develop a rhythm

• Make a connection and combine with forwards  

Defending Third

• Safety - High    Risk - Low

• No nonsense "Safety First" zone

• Maintain numerical superiority

• Critical I v I defensive skills

• Controlled aggression/discipline

• Pressure, cover and balance

• Communication skills

• Discuss GK'S role

• Comfortable in possession - can play out

Defending Restarts

In Our Attacking Third

1. Respond quickly to the whistle
2. Recover behinds and inside the line of the ball to the goal and opponents
3. Pressure immediate area around the ball
4. Compactness behind the ball
5. Proper depth to avoid long ball
6. Appropriate match-ups
7. Attack the ball
8. Goalkeeper starting position  

In the Middle Third

1. Respond quickly to the whistle
2. Recover behind and inside the ball and opponent
3. Pressure the ball to avoid quick restart
4. Pressure at 10 yards to prevent driven shots
5. Defend spaces in the box
6. Appropriate match ups
7. Attack the ball
8. Goalkeepers starting position  

From the flanks:

1. Respond quickly to the whistle
2. Recover behind and inside the ball and opponent
3. Pressure the ball to avoid quick restart
4. Pressure at 10 yards to prevent driven shots
5. Defend spaces in the box
6. Appropriate match ups
7. Attack the ball
8. Goalkeeper starting position  

From Central shooting distance
 
1. Respond quickly to the whistle
2. Pressure to prevent quick shot at goal or pass
3. Setting up a wall
4. Numbers in the wall (2,3,4,5 or more, explain)
5. Organization of remaining players
6. Attack the ball
7. Goalkeeper starting position

Defending Corners: 

1. Respond quickly to the whistle
2. Pressure at ten yards to prevent driven services and short corners
3. Defend near post around the ball
4. Defend far post
5. Appropriate match ups 
6. Defend spaces in and around the box
7. Attack the ball
8. Goalkeeper starting position (inswing/outswing)  

Defending Throw-Ins:

1. Respond quickly to the referees signal
2. Mark the thrower
3. Pressure opponents and lock up spaces around the ball
4. Maintain balance and shape
5. Attack long throws  

PRINCIPLES OF ATTACK AND DEFENSE  

Third Defender (balance)
a. Track attackers away from the ball
b. Squeeze space towards center of field
c. Preserve balance/shape

Second Defender (cover)
a. Support first defender
b. Select proper angle of support

First Defender (pressure)
a. Apply pressure to ball
b. proper angle of challenge
c. proper speed of challenge  

First Attacker (Penetrate) 
a.  Player with the ball
b. Must make the best tactical decision based upon the players technical capabilities. 

Second Attacker (depth)
a. Immediate support of first attacker
b. Positioned behind, square or in front of ball
c. Positioned so I defender can not cover first and second
d. Combine with first attacker through: bent runs, overlapping passes, wall passes, take-overs

Third attacker (Mobility)
a. Attempts to unbalance defense by making runs
b. "Third Man Running"

The End

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