Rondo Open Touch

Objective

• -Receive under pressure in a rondo
• -Use first touch to keep possession
• -Create angles for the next pass

Setup

1. 1Mark a 15 x 15 yards square with cones.
2. 2Play a 4v2 or 5v2, depending on numbers.
3. 3Keep spare balls close to the coach for quick restarts.

How to play

1. 1The team in possession keeps the ball using short passes and clean receives.
2. 2The defenders press and try to win it in the middle.
3. 3A point is scored after a set number of clean passes or a split pass.
4. 4If the ball goes out, the coach restarts straight away.
5. 5Rotate defenders often to keep the pressure high.

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

• -Flat support shape
• -First touch into pressure
• -Watching rather than scanning