Possession

Transition Rondo Squares

Move the ball between two possession squares

Possession

Transition

Pressing

Transition Rondo Squares is a 18-minute possession drill for 9-18 players, suitable for Under 11 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

Transition

Pressing

Skill Practice

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

18 min

Players

9-18

Pitch size

Two 12 yard squares

Ability levels

Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Transition Rondo Squares — Four-corner square · Two 12 yard squares

Step 1 of 3Team keeps the ball for four passes then plays into the far square.

1. Team keeps the ball for four passes then plays into the far square.
2. Pressers switch squares with the ball.
3. Rounds of three minutes.

Cones mark the area
Ball
Cones mark each station in the shape
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Move the ball between two possession squares
-Transition quickly after a regain
-Break the press with a pass into the second square

Setup

1Two twelve yard squares five yards apart.
2Possession teams in each square with two pressers.
3Balls in both squares.

Coaching instructions

1Team keeps the ball for four passes then plays into the far square.
2Pressers switch squares with the ball.
3Rounds of three minutes.

Coaching points

-Head up to see the far square before the release
-Receive on the half turn to play forward
-Pressers travel together to the new square

Common mistakes

-Passing to the far square too early
-Pressers arriving separately
-Poor first touch after the switch

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

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