Football/Soccer Session (Moderate): Rondo Session: Focus on Passing, Angles of Support + Transitioning/Switching the play when necessary

Rondo Warm Up (10 mins)

Setup:

We can work this session with numbers of anywhere between 8-18, but for this session we will use 12 as a baseline to work off of. At the start of the session, we have 2 rondos going at the same time and we try to keep it 6 vs 2 in each area, as shown. if you lose the ball, in any way, you and the players to your right go into the middle. If any team in possession completes 10 consecutive passes, the 2 defenders rotate to the opposite area.

Instructions:

Look for intense reactions to losing the ball from defenders, and the team with the ball needs to play 1 and 2 touch passes to keep the ball moving, offer angles of support when they do not have the ball at their feet and be able to shift up and down their side of their area. We are looking for gaps to be exploited from the team on the ball and as much use of the inside of the foot as possible, with control and passing. 

Progressions:

We can move to a 'Rondo Chino' if needed, as this uses 3 areas, 3 defenders and 3 players on each team, as shown in the next slide. 

Sliding Rondo - Transition (End to End) (20 mins)

Setup:

We set up 2 areas (only 1 shown for scale and demonstration purposes), with each area having 6 players working within it. Ideally we are looking at a size of about 5 x 15, in order to create a narrow working area of transition. 

Instructions:

We are looking for the players starting with possession to connect 5 passes in a row, and then move the ball to the opposite end of the area, with only the outside (right/left) players sliding down to keep the 4 v 1 available at all times. One rule is that we must connect at least 1 pass with the central player before we transition down to the opposite end, along with our 5 consecutive passes. 

Progressions:

We can now use the central/middle players as rotating defenders and attackers, so every time the ball moves down to the opposite end, the 2 central players change objectives and roles. So they are sharing the workload of pressing and trying to win the ball back, but if the transition happens, they can now help with the possession players. Keep the rotation of middle players and outside players to every 30 seconds.

Conditioned Game (20 mins)

Setup:

Use the shaded area of the field to create a 4 v 4 in the middle, whilst also keeping a 1 v 1 in each team's defensive and attacking end zones. We are looking to use the middle area to give the players the 3 options at all times, do they play:

Secure

Square or

Penetrate

Progressions:

Take out the rules, shaded area and end zones and finish the session with a simple 6 v 6 game, letting the players play freely and implement the session objectives at their own will.