Rondo Rings

Objective

• -Keep possession under pressure
• -Create angles around the ball
• -Improve pressing reactions

Setup

1. 1Make a square with a smaller circle or ring inside it using cones.
2. 2Put two defenders in the middle and the rest around the outside.
3. 3Start with one ball on the outside.

How to play

1. 1The outside team keeps possession with short passes.
2. 2The defenders try to win the ball and can only work inside the middle area.
3. 3If a defender wins it, the player who lost it goes in.
4. 4Count how many passes the outside team can make in a row.
5. 5Rotate defenders every minute or two.

Progressions

• +Two-Touch Limit: drop to one touch in the central area
• +Weak Foot Only: add a defender to raise the pressure
• +Tempo Clock: cut the clock to four seconds
• +Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

• -Two-Touch Limit: allow three touches while the picture is learned
• -Weak Foot Only: static, unopposed reps before adding movement
• -Tempo Clock: extend the clock to ten seconds
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two-Touch Limit — Players are limited to two touches — one to control, one to release.
• -Weak Foot Only — Every touch, pass and finish must be with the weaker foot.
• -Tempo Clock — The ball must reach the end action inside six seconds or the rep restarts.
• -Scan and Cue — The coach shows a colour or number and the receiver must call it before their first touch.
• -Shadow Pressure — A shadow defender applies half pressure and can win the ball only after the first touch.
• -Score Challenge — Run it as a timed competition — pairs or teams count successful reps and compare scores.
• -1-to-1 Session — Run as an individual session: coach serves, one player works through the reps with rest built in.
• -Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Players hiding behind defenders
• -Loose passes into the middle
• -Not supporting the receiver