Week 18

Outcomes

• ✓Players can play a one-touch pass when the situation allows
• ✓Players can use two touches to control and pass under pressure
• ✓Players can read the defender's position to choose the correct passing option
• ✓Players can keep the ball moving continuously in a rondo for extended periods

Equipment

• 12 size-4 balls
• 20 disc cones
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: One ball each, free grid.

   How to run it: Individual juggling challenge: target 5 juggles per foot. Players who reach 5 challenge themselves to 10 alternating. Coach tracks personal bests and celebrates improvements.

   • ›Relax the foot — soft touch on each juggle
   • ›Eyes down initially, build confidence before looking up

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Circle of 8 players, one ball.

   How to run it: Players pass around the circle, starting slow (two-touch), increasing to one-touch when comfortable. Add a second ball after 3 minutes. Focus on alertness — call the receiver's name before every pass.

   • ›Cushion the ball softly before passing — don't stab
   • ›When two balls are live, communication saves collisions

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Four different rondo stations: 4v1 (8×8), 5v2 (10×10), 6v2 (12×12), 3v1 (6×6). Groups rotate every 4 minutes.

   How to run it: Players keep possession against the stated number of defenders. Rule: maximum two touches at the 4v1 and 5v2, one touch at the 3v1. Two touches maximum everywhere for first 2 minutes, then coach calls 'one touch only' for 60-second bursts.

   • ›Body open before the ball arrives to enable one-touch passing
   • ›Receive with the foot furthest from the defender
   • ›Pass to the open player, not the covered one

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 7v2 rondo in a 14×14 yd square.

   How to run it: Seven attackers keep the ball against two defenders. A point is scored every time the ball travels from one side of the square to the opposite side in three passes or fewer. If defenders win the ball, the two players involved in the turnover become defenders. Track records.

   • ›Play diagonally across the square — biggest space, hardest for defenders
   • ›One-touch when the player opposite is free
   • ›Defenders must work as a pair, not individuals

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 4v4 + 2 neutral jokers, 25×18 yd, small goals.

   How to run it: Two jokers play with whichever team has the ball (6v4 in possession). Jokers are one-touch only. Regular players have a maximum of three touches. A team goal counts double if the joker was involved in the build-up.

   • ›Find the joker when under pressure — they always create an overload
   • ›Joker must move constantly to stay available
   • ›Use the overload to create a goal-scoring chance, not just keep the ball

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Shoulder, wrist, and ankle rolls. Coach asks: 'What do rondos teach you?' Players respond: decision speed, body shape, communication. Recap the key points.

   • ›Rondos replicate the pressure of the real game
   • ›Every rep in rondo is making you faster and sharper

Outcomes

• ✓Players can apply one- and two-touch passing under match pressure
• ✓Players can read the defender's position and choose the correct rondo option in a game
• ✓Players can switch play quickly using the rondo principle of finding the free man
• ✓Players can maintain calmness under pressure and avoid panicking on the ball

Equipment

• 10 size-4 balls
• 24 disc cones
• 4 small goals
• bibs

Run of show

1. 1. Arrival Ball Mastery

   8m

   Set up: Free grid.

   How to run it: Players dribble and on 'rondo!', freeze — nearest group of four forms an instant 3v1 rondo for 20 seconds, then dissolves back into dribbling. Repeat 5 times. Builds habit of immediate rondo problem-solving.

   • ›Form the rondo fast — defender in first
   • ›Attackers spread immediately to corners

2. 2. Dynamic Warm-Up

   10m

   Set up: Groups of 4, cones marking a 6×6 yd box.

   How to run it: 3v1 rondo warm-up — relaxed pace, two touches allowed. Defender changes every 90 seconds. Focus is on ease and comfort, not intensity. Progress to one-touch in the final 2 minutes.

   • ›This is a warm-up — stay calm, no stress
   • ›Open body before the ball comes

3. 3. Technical Practice

   15m

   Set up: Transition rondo: 5v2 possession in a 12×12 box; outside the box, two small goals 20 yards away.

   How to run it: Attacking team keeps ball in the rondo. When coach shouts 'go!', the two defenders sprint to defend the small goals as the five attackers break out of the box to attack 5v2. The team must score within 8 seconds of 'go!' Resets after each attempt.

   • ›Transition is instant — read the 'go!' and attack
   • ›Players without the ball run hard to arrive in the attack simultaneously
   • ›Quick pass into goal — don't over-elaborate

4. 4. Skill Game

   15m

   Set up: 4v4 possession with central rondo zone: 20×20 yd outer area, 8×8 yd inner box.

   How to run it: Teams keep possession. When a team gets the ball into the inner box, they play a mini 4v2 rondo — two defenders enter the inner box. If they complete 4 passes inside the box, they score a point. If defenders win it, they burst out and attack.

   • ›Lure defenders before entering the inner box
   • ›Inside the box: quick touches, body open
   • ›Defenders: press hard and be first to transition

5. 5. Small-Sided Game

   17m

   Set up: 5v5 on 30×22 yd, standard small goals.

   How to run it: Free match. Encourage players to use rondo thinking: find the free man, play quickly, keep moving. Coach introduces a 'rondo restart': after any out-of-bounds, the team in possession starts with a 3v1 rondo before the ball enters play.

   • ›Rondo habits: open body, quick pass, support angle
   • ›The free man is always available — find them
   • ›After the pass, move — never stand and watch

6. 6. Cool-Down & Review

   5m

   Set up: Circle.

   How to run it: Light jog and static stretches. Coach shows a simple stat: 'How many total passes did we make in the match?' Estimate together. Celebrate the number as a team achievement.

   • ›Every pass is a decision — make them sharp
   • ›Rondo makes the game feel slower because you see the options faster