Rondos

Splitting Defenders

Dimensions: 12 x 12 Yard coned square, 6 players per square split into three teams of two. (Distinguish teams clearly using coloured bibs)

Adjust dimensions to suit player ability. NOTE smaller area will be more difficult to achieve passing success

Place additional areas for more players if necessary.

How to: One team of two starts in the middle of the square as defenders, the other two teams work together around the outside of the area creating a 4v2 scenario.

Defenders cannot leave the square, their goal is to intercept passes.

Passing teams must attempt to move the ball quickly around the outside, their objective is to pass the soccer ball through the middle of the two defenders, splitting them. Points are scored each time they successfully split the defenders.

If the defenders win the ball back, the team that lost the ball become the defenders in place of the current defenders.

Coaching Points: Play with your head up, allow opportunities to present themselves. If the pass isn’t there to be played then be patient, don’t force the play

Encourage off the ball movement. The drill is designed to isolate defenders in 2v1 scenarios. Move off the ball to give the passer options.

Move the soccer ball quickly. Take advantage of poor defensive form created when a defender is drawn to a certain area.

Take the chance when the pass is available. Encourage positive play

Progressions: Smaller area

Time limit competition, how many defence splitting passes can be made by each team in a given time frame?

Remove one team and add one player to each remaining team creating a 3v3

Patterns of Play

Dimensions: 25 x 15 Yard rectangle with a starting cone in each corner. The field is played length ways. Players at each end play together moving down the field (players one and two). Place two cones in the middle 3 yards apart and have a player stand by each come.They will act as the Midfielders.

One soccer ball needed for each pair for this coaching drill.

How to: The objective is to move from one end of the field to the other by linking up with the midfielders in the middle. The first pass is made by player one into the midfielder closest to the starting line. They pass off to player two creating a passing triangle. Player two then make a pass into the midfielder furthest away, this allows their midfield partner to turn around and face towards the ‘goal’, the midfielder with the ball makes short pass to their midfield partner who is now able to look up and play a through ball into the advancing player one or two who can play the ball to their opposite end line.

Coaching Points: Speed of play. Stress the importance of going backwards to go forwards. Making the backwards pass at the beginning allowed player two to look up and play a ball into a position that allowed the midfielder to turn and get their head up to pick a more dangerous pass, and in turn helped the team move down the field.

Passing to Target Men

Dimensions: 35 x 35 Yard Square with 5x5 yard squares in each corner. Adjust sizes based on player ability and number of players. A larger area will offer more space and may offer more success opportunities. A smaller area will allow less time on the ball.

How to: Set up players into two teams, coach must pick two players from each team to play as target men. The occupy 5 x 5 yard target areas diagonally opposite one another, one player per area.

Players must attempt to work the ball to one of their target men, a successful pass to their target man will score a point.

Once a point is scored, the target man passes the ball to the OTHER team and play continues.

Coaching Points: Be creative- you have two target men and therefore two opportunities to score at any time. Try to trick the opposition and exploit space.

Try to win the ball back, but if you can see the other team is about to score, try to plan ahead and move to a position that can set your team off on the attack. Remember once the other team has scored, their player must pass out to the opponents.

Play with your head up; remember a good opportunity may be right behind you. Be aware of your surroundings.

Make good use of off the ball runs. Remember even if your team mate doesn’t pass to you, you may well have dragged a player out of position and created an opportunity elsewhere.

Progressions: Link up play- When a point is scored. The target man recycles possession back to their own team and they attack again until they lose the ball. This is ideal for a numbers down Attack vs Defence drill aimed at having possession with direction.