Description:

Two groups of players in a diamond shape overlapping each other. The ball is passed around the diamond. Once players are comfortable, have them follow their pass.

Coaching Points:

• Body shape to play the next pass.

• Look to avoid the other diamond - ball and players.

• On receiving the ball, check away and then back (simulate defender).

• Pass to back foot.

Progression:

Set touch limit, make a competition (pass count, time). Instead of following pass, have players swap with player that passed to them.

PURPOSE OF SESSION:

Although it is very difficult to attribute the invention of the rondo to any one coach, it is Laureano Ruiz, former Barcelona coach, who’s name appears most often next to it. In the docu-movie, Take the Ball, Pass the Ball, Ruiz describes this 4v2 as the original rondo.

INITIAL SET-UP:​

• Grid size as appropriate to players’ age and ability. • Four possession players, one of each side of the grid. • Possession players can, and are encouraged to, move along their line. • Two defenders who attempt to regain the ball.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Possession players keep the ball away from defender for as long as possible, or for a target number of passes.

COACHING POINTS:

1.   Be able to play in a one and two touch rhythm.

2.   Always play as if the next pass is coming to you.

3.   Anticipate play and get your feet set in the direction of your next pass.

Organisation:

Area: 2 x 15 x 15 metres areas with a 5-metre middle area.

The teams start 4v0 in the two end areas with four Blue players positioned on the corners of the middle area.

Blue player passes the ball into Red team and then follows the pass with one more Blue Player to create a 4v2 situation.

Red team must establish possession before transferring the ball (3-5 passes depending on ability).

When the ball is transferred, the defenders leave the area while the other two Blue Players follow the ball into the Black team to create another 4v2 situation.

This process continues until possession is lost in the area or in the transfer.

If a defender wins the ball, they must transfer to the other area while the four players that were in possession must now quickly transition to defend.

Football Actions:

Create space (by individual & team mobility)

Weight, accuracy and height of pass

Body shape/receive on back foot /first touch 

Angles and distance of support

Width and Depth – Penetrating pass 

Communication between Players

Awareness of space – Defenders in 4v2 and in transfer of possession 

Transition to Defend – Can we win ball back as quickly as possible?

Notes:

Have supply of footballs outside the area.

Progression: Have two defenders in the middle area to attempt to screen/cut out the transfer of possession.

Organization:

Area: 54y x 25y

The field is divided in three 18y x 25y areas. Large goals on each side, or one large goal and two small goals. In the center area play 3v3 with three midfielders, in endzones play 2v3+GK. Game starts with a 4v2 in the defensive zone. They try to pass the ball to a midfield. The midfielders try to reach one of the two attackers. One of the midfielders can join the attackers to make it a 3v3+GK situation. When the ball goes out of bounds, pass it back in. After a goal is scored, the next turn starts with the goalkeeper of the team that just scored. 

Progression: Add an extra defender, to make it a 3v2 in the endzone when building up (2 plus the GK) and 2v2+GK when attacking in the endzone.  Can the defenders and GK still reach the midfielders? Remove the two zone lines and play 8v8. Offside line is where the lines to mark the zones were. 

Game: Keep track of the score. When a goal is scored within 10 seconds after a midfielder won the ball, this goal counts double.  

Focus Points: 

Defending Midfielders

• Mark opponents' midfielders, followed by movement towards the ball. 

• Quick pressure on the ball

• Make the field small together

• Give each other back cover

• Deny out the forward or vertical pass 

Defending 3v3+GK

• Force attacker to the outside, while taking out the horizontal pass to the other attacker. 

• Keep forcing the attacker with the ball to the endline to make the angel to the goal small. Almost create a 2v1 with the goalkeeper. Take out the cross. 

Goals:

• Improve building up through the center, finishing 2v1 situations in front of the goal. 

• Improve midfield defending, denying forward and horizontal passing, defending the 3v2 situation together with the goalkeeper. 

Organization:

Area: From goalbox to goalbox, full width minus 7y on each side. 

Two teams play in 1-3-3-2, 1-3-2-3 or 1-4-3-1 formation. 

Game: Keep track of the score. 

Variations: Goal counts double when it is scored within ten seconds of turn over. Goal only counts when the whole team is on the opponent's half when the goal is scored. Dribble or pass the ball in when it goes out of bound.