WORLD CLASS COACHING
Spanish Style Possession Soccer Vol 2
By Philip Cauchi
Table of Contents
PART ONE
Introduction
Rondo Exercises to Develop Positional Awareness
PART TWO
Training Sessions
PART THREE
Training Sessions
PART FOUR
Training Sessions
Conclusion
Introduction
These activities are a companion to the concepts described in Volume 1 of this series.
Rondo Exercises to Develop Positional Awareness
3v1 Rondo
The diagram above shows various situations to practice the 3v1 rondo. In these situations we work on the technical ability of the players to receive and play the ball quickly. The players’ stance, first touch and passing quality are being continuously stressed.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: square 8 yards x 8 yards; rectangle 5 yards x 10 yards; triangle 8 yards x 8 yards x 8 yards; circle diameter of 10 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 30 seconds.
Rest between repetitions: 15 seconds.
Approximate work load: 2 sets of 6 repetitions with a two minute active rest between sets.
Change the defender after every repetition.
Make it competitive. Which defender can intercept the most balls in thirty seconds? Give some kind of forfeit to the defender that makes the fewest interceptions.
5v2 Rondo
Play 5v2 with the attackers aiming for a target pre-set number of sequential passes to score a point. If a pass splits the two defenders as in the diagram, the attackers score an extra point. The main aim of this rondo other than keeping possession of the ball is to look for defence splitting passes that will enable us to eliminate lines.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 12 yards x 10 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 45 seconds.
Rest between repetitions: 15 seconds.
Approximate work load: 2 sets of 6 repetitions with a two minute active rest between sets.
Change the two defenders after every repetition.
Make it competitive. The pair of defenders who allowed the attackers to make the most number of points must do burpees at the end of the exercise.
6v2 in a circle
The six attackers aim to keep possession of the ball but may not pass to the player next to them. This forces the players to be quick and look for longer passes such as when we try to verticalize play in a match. As a progression, the coach may add a restriction that requires the players to play the ball within two touches. Increasing speed of play may also be acquired by reducing the area of the circle.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: Diameter measuring 12 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 45 seconds.
Rest between repetitions: 15 seconds.
Approximate work load: 2 sets of 6 repetitions with a two minute active rest between sets.
Change the two defenders after every repetition.
Make it competitive. Have two circles, therefore two teams competing of who of them will intercept the ball first. The first team to do so wins a point!
5v2 Knock the cone over
The five attackers aim to circulate the ball with the intent of earning the required space and time to knock the cone over with the ball. This simulates a game situation where we keep possession until a gap to penetrate opens up and we play that line breaking pass! If the defenders win the ball, they score by dribbling it out of the area.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 12 yards by 8 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 45 seconds.
Rest between repetitions: 15 seconds.
Approximate work load: 2 sets of 6 repetitions with a two minute active rest between sets.
Change the two defenders after every repetition.
Make it competitive. Have two grids, therefore having two teams competing against each other of who of them will knock the cone over the first to score a point.
Combine with the target player
Five attackers play against three defenders with the aim of creating the right opportunity to combine with the player inside the centre circle. To score a point it is not only important to play the ball to the player inside the centre circle but for this player to pass to another player – three men combination. To develop mobility in attack, we might have players rotating roles randomly as target players. If the three defenders win the ball they attempt to make three consecutive passes to score a point.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 15 yards x 12 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 1 minute.
Rest between repetitions: 30 seconds.
Approximate work load: 2 sets of 6 repetitions with a two minute active rest between sets.
Change the two defenders after every repetition.
Give the attackers a target to aim for. Can they score a pre-set number of targeted passes made to the central player?
2v2+2 Rondo
In the ball zone it is a 1+2v2 situation with the other attacker remaining high in the opposite zone. The attacking player together with the two neutral players aim to make a string of five passes before playing the ball into the opposite zone where the same situation takes place. If the defenders win the ball they immediately switch places with the attackers.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 20 yards x 10 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 1 minute.
Rest between repetitions: 30 seconds.
Approximate work load: 2 sets of 6 repetitions with a two minute active rest between sets.
Change the two neutral players after every repetition.
To work on reacting quickly to the negative transition, the defenders must dribble the ball out of the area upon winning it. This forces the attackers to immediately apply pressure with the intent of regaining possession.
3v3+2 in three zones
We have a 1v1 situation in each zone and a neutral player on each side providing support. The attackers and defenders must remain inside their assigned zones while the neutral players move anywhere along their respective side. As a variation we may have the neutral players moving between zones internally. The aim is for each team to play the ball from one end zone to the other. The ball must be played through the middle zone however, otherwise there will be a turn-over in possession.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 24 yards x 8 yards divided into three equal zones.
Duration of each repetition: 2 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 30 seconds.
Approximate work load: 6 repetitions.
Change the two neutral players after every two series.
2v2+1 in each zone
In each zone there are two attackers, two defenders and a neutral player. All players must remain inside their assigned zone. The attackers aim to complete 10 sequential passes with the help of the neutral players to score a point. Passes may be played between zones as shown in the image above. If the defenders win the ball, they try to score in any of the two mini goals inside the area where the ball was won. If they score they switch places with the attackers.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 20 yards x 12 yards divided into two equal zones.
Duration of each repetition: 2 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 4 repetitions.
Change the two neutral players after every two series.
4v2+2 switch positions
Both teams aim to play the ball from one side to the other to their target player. The aim is to play deep which in turn requires good use of communication, positional awareness and passing and receiving skills. After passing the ball to one side the player passing the ball and the target player switch roles. Players of opposing teams on the end lines are not allowed to tackle each other. The latter can be progressed by having the two opposing target players tackle each other and randomly changing positions with an inside player.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 15 yards x 10 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 1 minute.
Rest between repetitions: 30 seconds.
Approximate work load: 6 repetitions.
7v3 Positional play
Players of the attacking team (blacks) play in their regular position. Their aim is to make a string of at least ten passes to score a point. If the defenders win the ball they aim to score in any of the four mini goals. The main aim of this training situation is to increase the level of communication and tactical cooperation between the attackers during the possession phase. Furthermore, if possession is lost the team learns to work together to press and recover the ball.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 25 yards x 20 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 2 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 6 repetitions.
Change the defenders after every repetition.
Four quadrant 8v4 rondo
All players are restricted to remain inside their assigned quadrant. Two teams which in the above example are the blacks and the reds play against the third team, the yellows. The team responsible for losing possession change places with the defending team. During the run of this rondo we as coaches should pay attention to the creation of various angles of play both near and far from the ball. Inside their grid, players should move to create an option for a possible pass. As a progression the teams who are in possession of the ball must pass to alternate colours. In the above image it would be black to red and vice versa.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 20 yards x 20 yards divided into four equal quadrants.
Duration of each repetition: 3 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 4 repetitions.
3+3v3 switch zone through the gates
Play is 3v3 plus two neutral players on the ball zone while another neutral player is on the opposite zone. Teams aim to either make a string of ten consecutive passes or pass directly through any gate (red, yellow and blue) to score a point. Once the ball is passed to the opposite zone, all the players except one of the neutrals move to continue the sequence. This rondo simulates keeping possession until the right moment to verticalize play emerges.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 30 yards x 25 yards divided into two equal zones.
Duration of each repetition: 2 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 6 repetitions.
5v3 Gate rondo
The five attackers score by passing the ball to another teammate through the triangles or gates. Throughout the execution of this rondo the players will practice providing support, applying the correct stance to receive and play quickly, and spatial and positional awareness. Off-the-ball movement and timing is crucial as it is to apply quick and short fakes to get rid of marking. Playing short and sharp passes to feet is a must considering that we are practicing in a small space.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 20 yards x 15 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 1 minute.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 6 repetitions.
Three zone transition rondo
In the outside zone play is 4v2 where the attackers (blacks) aim to pass the ball to the reds in the opposite zone through the middle zone. The two defenders (yellows) put pressure on the ball while the other two defenders cover the middle zone to prevent the ball from reaching the reds. If the defenders intercept the ball, they quickly switch places with the attacking team responsible for the loss of possession. If the ball reaches the opposite zone, the two defenders inside the middle zone apply pressure while the two who previously where applying pressure now cover the central zone. Progress to having the players play the ball only on the ground. This requires faster circulation of the ball.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 25 yards x 15 yards. Outer zones are 10 yards in length while the middle is 5 yards.
Duration of each repetition: 3 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 4 repetitions.
Through pass rondo
In one half of the grid play is 4v4+3. The team which has the ball must make at least five consecutive passes prior to playing a through pass into the other half. The player receiving the through pass must not be waiting for the ball in the other half, otherwise he will be in an offside position. The ball must leave before the receiving player sets foot inside the other half. When the ball is inside this zone the same situation takes place with the team in possession aiming for a string of five passes prior to playing the through pass. The outside neutral players may also be allowed to play through passes.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 40 yards x 20 yards divided into two equal zones.
Duration of each repetition: 3 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 4 repetitions.
5v3 to 5v3 on two zones
In one half of the grid play is 5v3. The attacking team (blacks) aim to perform six consecutive passes before they play the ball into the opposite half. If the ball is played into the opposite half, the same situation is re-created as three attackers and two defenders follow the ball. If the defenders win possession they aim to combine four passes to score a point. This requires the blacks to press immediately upon losing possession.
Recommended training volume and guidance.
Area: 40 yards x 25 yards divided into two equal zones.
Duration of each repetition: 2 minutes.
Rest between repetitions: 1 minute.
Approximate work load: 5 to 6 repetitions.
