By Sean Reed -
With this session there are examples of some Rondo’s, which can be used, either before the sessions starts or as part of the warm in order to engage the players.
Objective: Session 1
A 4v1 Ronda. 1 player in the middle and 4 players on the outside
Set Up
- On players arrival you can put them in specific boxes to get them going and engaged. Or you can make it a specific part of the session, prior to the warm-up or part of the warm-up.
- Depending on the level or age of player you can adapt the area. Usually the area would be approx 5yd x 5yd
- If you have 5 players, 4 players are on the outside and 1 player is in the middle.
- If you only have 4, then 3 players can go on the outside and 1 player on the middle. Any of the outside players can occupy the spare side when required
- Players on the outside need to work tight to the line. Usually it is good to nominate a player to manage the area, the rules and final decisions. This will encourage players to take more responsibility and challenge them.
- The player in the middle can either stay in for a set period of time (i.e. 30secs) or when they get a touch or force a mistake the player who made the mistake goes into the middle to defend.
- Restrictions on touches can vary depending on the desired outcome and the quality of the session. Playing 1, 2 or 3 touch.
- Rules such as 20 completed passes, the player in the middle stays in. Or a clean nutmeg, then the player remains in the middle. The ball on the outside cannot stop, and the outside players can take either 1 or 3 touches.
Coaching Points
- • Movement and angles on the outside to support the ball
• Know the next pass
• Opening up to change the play
• Quality of 1st touch and 2nd touch
• Speed of movement and tempo of passing
• Attitude and work rate of player in the middle
• Setting a trap to force the mistake
• Body shape on approach to the ball, balanced and side on. Avoid being caught square
Objective: Session 2
A 5v2 rondo, with 2 defending players in the middle, and 1 attacking player in the middle and 4 on the outside
Set Up
- As within the previous sessions
- With addition of 2 players (1x defender and 1 attacking inside) the area will be increased to approx 7yd x 7yd
- The 2 in the middle will either stay in the middle for a period of time or change when a touch or a mistake occurs. It is the 1st person who was in the middle to 1st go out, regardless if they other person gets a touch on the ball
- The extra player in the middle can be used as a bounce player and is on either 1 or 2 touch. The middle player can be switched after a period of time or a number of goes
- The rules remain the same as within session 1, but you can add an additional rule; that if a pass splits the 2 players in the middle then they have to take in there for an extra go (depends on the level of players)
Coaching Points
- • As within the previous session
• Attacking player in the middle, movement to create a passing option and space for themselves. Knows next pass
• Playing the pass safe side into the middle player
• Defensively, the 2 players need to balance off and reduce the gap between them to avoid being split
Objective: Session 3
This session includes 2 boxes, where the ball can be switched from one side to the other once every player has touched the ball
Set Up
- 2 boxes 5yds x 5yds next to one another
- Using the example above 4 players on the outside of one box and 1 defender in the middle
- The spare player in positioned on the end of the 2nd box
- It is the same rules as within session 1 & 2. However, within this session every player must touch the ball before it can be transferred across to the 2nd box.
- Once the ball has transferred across the 2 players on the sides and the player in the middle join the 2nd box to keep possession
- The defending player then switches from box 1 to box 2 in attempt to win the ball back or force a mistake
- Progression could be to include an additional defender. 1 Defender in each box, so when the ball is switched the defenders remain in their box
Coaching Points
- As within the previous sessions
- Recognizing when to switch the play
- Supporting the play to keep possession
- Providing good angles to support the play
Objective: Session 4
By Sean Reed
Former First Team Coach of Championship side Fulham FC. Sean is a UEFA A Coach with a Masters in Sport Coaching. He has over 15 years of experience working in professional football from Academy through to First team in the Premiership and Championship.
Linkedin - www.developmentofplayers.com
Twitter - @SeanJReed
