Underload 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. 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
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 attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
5. 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.

Progressions

• +Add a second extra defender
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Even the numbers up again
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Attackers get one 'free pass' per round they can call
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Passing round the outside only
• -Standing flat on the cone
• -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early