Sliding keep ball/Rondo

DESCRIPTION

Practice 3: Sliding Keep Ball / Rondo

A rondo variation where it is 4 v 1 but after a set amount of passes players look to switch and slide down to opposite area.

• Set up two squares back to back approx 12x12 (24yd total length)
• Have 2 attacking fixed attacking players on ends of length of area and 1 fixed in between squares. 1 attacking player on each side of 1st box. and 2 defenders in middle.
• Attacking players have to make 4 passes in 1st box then can switch play to other box. The 2 attacking players on sides and defenders slide down to second area and repeat.
• If defender intercepts they swap over.

COACHING POINTS

Once they got the hang of it, I joined in as an end fixed player and added an attacker in the middle with defenders. The new rule was 5 passes before switching play but at least one pass had to go through the player in the middle of the box.

Progressions:

One touch only, add passes, and list can go on.

Alternative Ideas: 

If you have more than 7/8 players i have done this same principle but with 4 boxed.

You could have any 2 groups working in different boxes with any overload you want. After a set amount of passes they move into a free box which helps training awareness of open areas.

Match Time

We of course finished up with a SSG with the mini goals. 

Players were free to play but used one touch finish. I was very proud to see them use a lot of the ideas we used in training - they played 1 touch where they could and their movement and support was excellent. 

Even though we were very short on numbers that night the kids and spectating parents said that was one of the most fun sessions they have had. 

Sometimes we panic and worry as coaches when we end up with small numbers at training, but I think if we can keep an open mind and flexible approach it can normally work out for the best and we get to spend more one-on-one time with our players