A Rondo to Teach the Third player Role | Linking Up Across Grids

Overview

• Set up two 4v2 rondos side by side and play with 12 players
• Put 4 teammates and 1 defender in each grid
• Keep the ball moving back and forth between the two rondos
• Players work on keeping the ball inside a grid AND switching it between grids at the same time

Objectives

• Learn the role and movement of the third player (the side support)
• Sharpen the timing of winning the ball between grids
• Get cleaner on the switch (changing positions)
• Build the habit of defending together as a unit

Setup

Set up two 4v2 grids right next to each other, drop 4 teammates and 1 defender into each grid, and run the rondo.

１）In Grid A, the player on the ball strings passes together with their 3 teammates.

２）When a pass gets played between the grids, a teammate in Grid B takes it in.

３）In Grid B, players keep the ball circulating while looking for the pass back into Grid A.

４）The defender in each grid deals with winning the ball inside their grid and with the switch between grids.

５）Keep the ball snapping back and forth between grids to hold a quick, high-tempo rhythm.