Our foundational training activity is the 4 v 1 rondo. It contains highly targeted, fundamental, technical and tactical components that fits the ultimate vision of how we want all of our teams to play. It fits the possession-based philosophy we coach, and over time enables players to better execute the set tactical gameplay in our methodology.
OVER TIME, meaning that this takes time to perfect and is not just a beginner drill that you do a handful of times, and then move on and try something else. We do this same activity just about every single session and for years.
Setup
- 1 square (roughly 7m x 7m)
- Total of 5 players
- 1 player on each side
- 1 defender inside
Action
- 2-touch keepaway (no other number of touches allowed)
- Offensive players confined to their side of square
- Offensive players can only pass to adjacent side of square (passing across the middle is not allowed)
- Offensive players must be moving off the ball at all times and with urgency to provide best possible target to player in possession.
- Offensive players must receive passes across their bodies and with the inside of foot!
- Offensive players should attempt to pass the ball to teammate in way which best allows them to receive across their body.
- Speed of play should be maximized.
- Defender must go 100%. (or whatever trainer sees fit)
Notes
- Continuous action until trainer sees fit to stop play
- Rotate players as appropriate
- If trainer thinks players aren’t handling 4v1, then do 4v0