Possession

4v2 Rondo Circle

Keep the ball under pressure

Possession

Passing

Receiving

4v2 Rondo Circle is a 12-minute possession drill for 6-12 players, suitable for Under 8 to Adults at intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Possession

Passing

Receiving

Technical Practice

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Foundation Phase

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

12 min

Players

6-12

Pitch size

12 x 12 yards

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

4v2 Rondo Circle — 4v2 possession — keep the ball away from the middle · 12 x 12 yards

Step 1 of 3Outside players keep possession; defenders swap in after a regain.

1. Outside players keep possession; defenders swap in after a regain.
2. Point for every pass split between the defenders.
3. Two minute rounds.

Cones mark the area
Ball
Blue = possession team, dark = defenders in the middle
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Keep the ball under pressure
-Find the split pass
-Support at the right angles

Setup

1A twelve yard square or circle marked with cones.
2Four players outside, two defenders inside.
3Spare balls with the coach.

Coaching instructions

1Outside players keep possession; defenders swap in after a regain.
2Point for every pass split between the defenders.
3Two minute rounds.

Coaching points

-Move the ball before the press arrives
-Open the body to see both sides
-Take the bounce pass when the split is off

Common mistakes

-Standing on the cone waiting
-Forcing the split every time
-Passing to the same side repeatedly

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 8

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch