Rondo
Positional Rondo: 3v3 + 2 Neutrals, Switch and Shift
Keep the ball under pressure with the help of two neutrals, then switch the play to the far zone; without the ball, shift and press as a unit, and switch the moment you win it.
Duration
20 min
Total drill time
Players
11
Recommended
Pitch
Full Pitch
Setup space
Level
Intermediate
Skill required
Intensity
High
Physical demand
Age band
U11-U12
Any format
Setup & instructions
Mark a 29 x 20 m area and split it into three zones across its length: a 12 m end zone at each end and a 5 m middle zone, with a disc at each end of the two zone lines. Make three teams of three in different bibs plus two neutrals. Red stand in one end zone, green in the other, and the two neutrals in the middle zone, one on each half of its width. Yellow start as the defenders in red's zone. The neutrals always play with the team on the ball, so it is 5v3. Red keep the ball in their zone against the three yellows, using the neutrals. After 6-8 connected passes red switch it to green in the far end zone, and all three yellows shift across together to press there. If the defenders win the ball they switch it at once to the far end zone and take over the end zone of the team that lost it; the team that lost it becomes the defenders and shifts to press. End-zone players stay in their zone, the neutrals stay in the middle zone, and the defenders follow the ball. Neutrals have two touches at most. Play 4 minute rounds and count the switches for each team.
Setup time: 6 min
Tactical breakdown
A rondo in one box trains keeping the ball. This one adds the next step: keep it, then move it somewhere better. The area is split into three zones. Red hold one end zone, green the other, two neutrals play in the middle zone, and yellow defend against whoever has the ball. The neutrals always join the team on the ball, so it is 5v3.
In the ball's zone the three attackers spread out: one deep near the end line and one on each side, with the two neutrals on the edge of the middle zone. That makes a five-sided shape, so the three defenders can never cover every passing lane at once. The attackers scan before the ball arrives, receive on the half-turn and use the neutrals to change the angle when the press closes one side.
After 6-8 connected passes the team switches it to the far end zone. Now the defenders are in the wrong place, and they have to shift across together. If they arrive one at a time, the first one is played round. If they arrive as a unit, the nearest presses the ball and the other two take the most dangerous passing lanes, and the new team has to work for its passes.
When the defenders win it, they switch it at once to the far end zone and take over the zone of the team that lost it. The team that lost it becomes the defenders and has to shift straight away. So every player keeps changing job: keeping the ball, pressing it and reacting to a turnover, without the session stopping.
How to run this drill
- Mark the area and the three zones. A 29 x 20 m area split across its length into two 12 m end zones and a 5 m middle zone.
- Place the teams and the neutrals. Red in one end zone, green in the other, two neutrals in the middle zone and yellow defending in red's zone. The neutrals play for the team on the ball, so it is 5v3.
- Keep it, then switch. The team on the ball keeps it with the neutrals. After 6-8 connected passes, switch it to the other end zone.
- Defenders shift and press. On every switch all three defenders shift across together to the new zone and press: the nearest on the ball, the other two in the passing lanes.
- Win it and swap roles. Defenders who win it switch it to the far end zone at once and take over that end zone. The team that lost it becomes the defenders.
- Rounds and scoring. Play 4 minute rounds and count the switches for each team. Neutrals have two touches at most.
Coaching focus
FROM SESSION PLANCoaching points
- Scan before receiving so you know where the press and the free player are
- Receive on the half-turn, so your first touch can go away from the presser or forward
- Use the neutrals to change the angle of attack, then go back to the free side
- Spread the zone: one player deep near the end line, one on each side, so the three cover the whole box
- Count the passes and look for the switch as soon as the count is reached
- Defenders: shift across as a unit on every switch and arrive together, not one by one
- Defenders: the nearest presses the ball, the other two cut the most dangerous passing lanes
- Win it and switch it at once, before the team that lost it can press
Common mistakes
- End-zone players standing close together or coming up to the neutrals, so half the zone is empty
- Switching the ball before the count, or keeping it long after the count is reached
- Defenders shifting one at a time, so the first to arrive is easily played round
- Defenders all chasing the ball together and leaving the passing lanes open
- Neutrals hiding behind a defender instead of moving to show for the ball
- Winners dribbling in the zone instead of switching it at once
Progressions & regressions
VARIATIONSProgressions
- Raise the pass count to 8
- Limit everyone to 2 touches
- One-touch for the neutrals
- A split pass between two defenders counts as two passes
Regressions
- Four passes earn the switch
- Unlimited touches for the end-zone players
- Only two defenders press in the ball's zone; the third waits in the middle zone
Explore more drills
LIBRARYReady to run this drill?
Save it to your private drills, then change the animation, adjust positions, swap equipment, or drop it into a session block. Or start from a blank pitch and build your own.