WORLD CLASS COACHING
35 Possession Rondos
By Luca Bertolini
Table of Contents
PART TWO
SINGLE GRID RONDOS
Single-Grid Rondos
Exercise 1: 2 + 1 v 1 to play forward and move wide (1)
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and along one of the shorter sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward from one longer side toward the other through the neutral player, to move deep to receive from the shorter side behind the defender and to move wide to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 2: 2 + 1 v 1 to play forward and move wide (2)
Sequence
One black player is placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and one is placed along one of the shorter sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward from one longer side toward the other with vertical passes after a wall combination with the neutral player, to move deep to receive from the shorter side behind the defender and to move wide to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 3: 2 + 1 v 1 to play wide and move forward
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and along one of the shorter sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward from one longer side toward the other playing wide on the run of the neutral player, to move deep to receive from the shorter side behind the defender and to move wide to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The receiver must always have two wide passing options, but the neutral player must move from the middle and under the pressure of a defender. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 4: 2 + 1 v 1 to play wide and forward moving forward
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and along one of the shorter sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward and vertically from one longer side toward the other. It must be played a wide passing combination with the neutral player who must receive the ball on the run and then pass back. The second black player must move deep to receive from the shorter side behind the defender and the first player in possession must move wide to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The receiver must always have two wide passing options, but the neutral player must move from the middle and under the pressure of a defender. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 5: 2 + 1 v 1 to play wall passing combinations, moving and playing wide and forward
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and along one of the shorter sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward from one longer side toward the other. A center passing combination must be played with the neutral player who must receive the ball and then pass back. The neutral player must receive another wide pass on his run to switch the side. The second black player must move deep to receive from the shorter side behind the defender and the first player in possession must move wide to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The receiver must always have two wide passing options, but the neutral player must move from the middle, after the first passing combination and under the pressure of a defender. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 6: 3 v 1 to play 1 v 1 duel and moving wide and forward (1)
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and along one of the shorter sides. Another player of the possession team and one defender are placed in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the players in possession is to pass the ball forward from one longer side toward the other. It must be played a center pass for the teammate who is playing 1 v 1 against the defender. The receiver must try to turn toward the same side where the third wide player is placed; if it's possible, a direct forward pass can be played to complete the sequence.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The first player in possession must run wide to create the same playing situation on the other side. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Oriented ball control to turn and dribble quickly. Pressure against the center player to win the possession.
Exercise 7: 3 v 1 to play 1 v 1 duel and moving wide and forward (2)
Sequence
The set-up and the first sequence of the exercise are the same of the previous one; but in this situation the center player can't turn toward the same side where the third wide player is placed; a direct forward pass is not possible then.
An outside/inside wall passing combination must be played with the first player in possession who is moving wide toward the free side; the center player can now try to play forward to the third player and behind the defender.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The first player in possession must run wide to create the same playing situation on the other side. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Oriented ball control to turn and dribble quickly. Pressure against the center player to win the possession.
Exercise 8: 3 v 1 to play wall passing combination and forward and moving wide and forward
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the shorter sides of a rectangle and along one of the longer sides. One defender is in the middle of the wide playing space.
The objective for the players in possession is to keep the possession for more than 8 to 10 seconds and then to pass the ball forward and vertically onto the run of the third teammate toward the opposite side.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The last player in possession before the decisive pass must run wide to create the same playing situation on the other side. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Close the passing lanes.
Exercise 9: 2 + 1 v 1 to play vertically and move wide
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the shorter sides of a rectangle and along one of the longer sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the deep playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward from one shorter side toward the other with vertical passes after a wall passing combination with the neutral player, to move deep to receive from the longer side and behind the defender and to move wider to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 10: 2 + 1 v 1 to play wide and forward behind the defender
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the shorter sides of a rectangle and along one of the longer sides. One neutral player and one defender are placed in the middle of the deep playing space.
The objective for the couple in possession is to pass the ball forward from one shorter side toward the other with vertical passes after a 1-2 combinations with the neutral player, to move deep to receive from the longer side and behind the defender and to move wider to support the possession phase.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or support the move. Pressure against the neutral player.
Exercise 11: 3 v 1 to play vertically and to move wide
Sequence
Two black players are placed along one of the longer sides of a rectangle and along one of the shorter sides. Another player of the possession team and one defender are placed in the middle of the deep playing space.
The objective for the players in possession is to pass the ball forward from one shorter side toward the other. A center pass must be made to the teammate who is playing 1 v 1 against the defender. The receiver must try to turn toward the same side where the third outer player is placed; if it's possible, a direct forward pass can be played to complete the sequence.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The first player in possession must run wider to create the same playing situation on the other side. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Oriented ball control to turn and dribble quickly. Pressure again the center player to win the possession.
Exercise 12: 3 v 1 to play wide and forward behind the defender
Sequence
The set-up and the first sequence of the exercise are the same of the previous one; but in this situation the center player can't turn toward the same side where the third outer player is placed; a direct forward pass is not possible then.
A 1-2 passing combination must be then played with the first player in possession who is moving outer and toward the free side; the receiver can now try to play forward to the third player and behind the defender.
As the side of play is switched, the sequence starts again in the same way. The first player in possession must run wide and the center player must run toward the free shorter side of the playing area, to create the same situation on the other side. If the defender wins the ball, he exchanges the role with the player who missed the pass or the ball control.
Eye on: Times and rhythm of passes and of deep and wide runs to receive or to support the move. Oriented ball control to turn and dribble quickly. Pressure against the center player to win the possession, intercept the ball and close the passing lanes.
