4v2 Rondo
Four players on the sides of a 12 × 12 m square keep the ball from two defenders who press together. The classic rondo for U11 and older.
- Age
- U11–Senior
- Players
- 6–18
- Duration
- 12 min
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Intensity
- High
- Area
- 12 × 12 m
- Type
- Tactical
- Approach
- Global
- Format
- Possession game
- Objectives
- Technical: Passing
- Tactical: Ball possession, Pressing
- Concepts worked on
Training diagram
Legend
- Attacker
- Defender
- Pass
- Run without ball
- Ball
- Cone
With two defenders, the diagonal pass through the middle becomes the key: one defender presses the ball and the other must close the split pass. Attackers learn to circulate quickly and look for the pass between the defenders; defenders learn to press as a pair.
Objective
Keep possession against two defenders and find the pass that splits them.
Organisation
- Square of 12 × 12 m. One attacker on each side, two defenders in the middle.
How it works
- Two-touch limit.
- When the defenders win the ball or it leaves the square, the attacker who lost it swaps with the defender who has been in longest.
- A split pass between both defenders is worth a point.
Coaching points
- Attackers: move along your side to stay visible; receive with the far foot.
- Look for the pass between the two defenders first.
- Defenders: one presses the ball, the other closes the split pass behind.
Progressions
- One-touch.
- Smaller square (10 × 10 m).
Regressions
- Three touches; bigger square.
Variations
- Defenders score by winning the ball and passing to a coach outside the square.
Key principles
- Find the split.
- Press in pairs.
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