Rondo drills
Rondos are the best-value practice in football: tiny space, lots of touches, constant decisions. Start simple (4v1) and add defenders, smaller areas and touch limits as your players improve.
A rondo is a possession game where a group of players keeps the ball away from one or more defenders inside a small area, usually a circle or square. It trains passing, first touch, body shape and quick decisions.
4v1 rondo
Four players on the outside of a square keep the ball from one defender in the middle. The simplest rondo and the best place to start.
U8 to adult · 5 (or groups of 5) players · 10 to 15 mins
See the drill →5v2 rondo
Five keep the ball from two defenders. Two defenders can cut passing lanes together, so attackers must split them with a pass through the middle.
U10 to adult · 7 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Rondo with transition (U11 to U13)
A 4v2 rondo where the defenders who win the ball try to pass it into the next square. It adds the moment after losing the ball, ideal for U12 and 9v9 teams.
U11 to U13 · 9 to 12 players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →3v1 triangle rondo
Three players stand on the corners of a triangle and keep the ball from one defender. The first rondo for young players: every pass has one safe option and one brave one.
U7 to U10 · 4 (or groups of 4) players · 10 mins
See the drill →4v2 rondo
Four attackers keep the ball from two defenders. With two defenders, attackers must find the pass that splits them and support at angles on both sides.
U10 to adult · 6 (or groups of 6) players · 12 to 15 mins
See the drill →4-3-3 midfield triangle rondo (6v3)
Four players on the outside and two inside keep the ball from three defenders. The two inside players and the passer form the 4-3-3 midfield triangle, so it trains the exact angles your number 6 and 8s use in games.
U13 to adult · 9 players · 15 mins
See the drill →4-4-2 box rondo with a switch
Two 4v1 boxes linked by a switch pass. The four in each box mirror the 4-4-2 midfield line and back line, and the switch trains moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.
U12 to adult · 10 to 12 players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →Wing-back rondo for 3-5-2 and 3-4-3
A 5v3 rondo in a central box with a wing-back in each wide channel. Teaches a back-three team to use the wing-backs to escape pressure and switch the play.
U13 to adult · 11 to 13 players · 15 to 20 mins
See the drill →7v7 diamond rondo (2-3-1 and 2-1-2-1)
Five attackers keep the ball from two defenders, standing in the diamond your 7v7 team plays: a back player, two wide, one central and a target at the top.
U9 to U11 · 7 to 8 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Positional rondo 5v5 + 3
Two teams of five plus three neutrals who play for whoever has the ball. Players keep their positions so the shape stays like your formation, and the team in possession has eight against five.
U14 to adult · 13 players · 20 mins
See the drill →Directional rondo: play through the lines
A rondo with a direction: defenders start in the middle and the attackers try to move the ball from one end to the other through them. Links rondos to real games, where the aim is to go forward.
U11 to adult · 9 to 11 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Piggy in the middle (first rondo)
Two players pass past one in the middle; if the middle player touches it, they swap. The simplest rondo, perfect for young players learning to pass and move.
U6 to U9 · Groups of 3 players · 8 mins
See the drill →Split-pass rondo (5v2)
A 5v2 where a pass between the two defenders scores a point. Teaches players to move the defenders and spot the forward pass through them.
U10 to adult · 7 per group players · 10 to 12 mins
See the drill →Double box rondo (transfer)
Two rondos side by side. After a set number of passes, the team switches the ball into the other box; two defenders chase it across. Combines rondo skills with switching and pressing.
U11 to adult · 12 to 16 players · 15 mins
See the drill →Big circle rondo (8v3)
A large rondo with the whole group: eight on the outside, three inside. Great for team bonding at the start of a session, with lots of touches and pressing practice.
U10 to adult · 11 to 14 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Rondo race
Two 4v1 or 5v2 rondos race to reach 20 passes first. The competition adds intensity and quick decision-making.
U9 to adult · 10 to 16 players · 8 to 10 mins
See the drill →Rondo with an inside player (4+1v2)
Four outside players and one inside player keep the ball from two defenders. The inside player must turn and play through, just like a midfielder between the lines.
U11 to adult · 7 per group players · 10 to 12 mins
See the drill →Keeper rondo (5v2 with the keeper)
The goalkeeper is one of the outside players in a 5v2 rondo near their goal. Builds the keeper's confidence on the ball and the team's comfort playing out.
U10 to adult · 7 to 8 players · 10 mins
See the drill →Long rondo: switch the play (6v2)
A rondo in a long rectangle with players on all sides; a pass from one end to the other scores. Teaches switching play past pressure, as teams do across the pitch.
U11 to adult · 8 per group players · 10 to 12 mins
See the drill →Rondo with defender goals
A 5v2 where defenders who win the ball can score by dribbling or passing out through a gate. Adds a counter-attack threat, so attackers must protect the ball better.
U10 to adult · 7 to 8 per group players · 10 mins
See the drill →Building a session?
Tell the free session planner your age group, numbers and what to work on, and it builds a full session from drills like these.
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