Pressure Rondo Ladder

Objective

• -Keep the ball under pressure in a tight area
• -Find the pass through or around the press
• -Improve body shape and support angles

Setup

1. 1A rondo circle with defenders in the middle in a 10 x 10 yards area.
2. 2Position a recovering defender behind each working player, starting two yards back.
3. 3One ball, bibs for the middle players.

How to play

1. 1Outside players keep the ball away from the middle defenders.
2. 2Ten consecutive passes wins the round.
3. 3The defender who wins the ball swaps with the player who lost it.
4. 4The defender is released the moment the ball leaves the server's foot.
5. 5The working player scores by completing the action before pressure arrives; the defender scores by blocking it.

Progressions

• +Defender starts level rather than behind
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Defender presses at jogging pace only
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Two defenders alternate so pressure is constant
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Passing round the outside only
• -Standing flat on the cone
• -Facing your own goal and getting trapped by the press