RONDOS
Rondos/Positional Games
RONDOS
DEFINITION AND BENEFITS
“Everything that goes on in a match, except shooting, you can do in a rondo. The competitive
aspect, fighting to make space, what to do when in possession and what to do when you
haven’t got the ball, how to play ‘one touch’ soccer, how to counteract the tight marking and
how to win the ball back.”
-- Johan Cruyff (Legendary player for FC Barcelona and Holland)
Definition of “rondo”: A game where one group of players has the ball while in numerical
superiority (3v1, 5v2, 5v5+2 etc …) over another group of players. The basic objective of the
group in numerical superiority is to keep possession of the ball while the objective of the group
in numerical inferiority is to win the ball back.
Rondos differ from other possession games in that the rondo is a game where the players
occupy a preset space as opposed to a more random space. Positional games are games
where players occupy spaces similar to those in the regular game e.g., outside back, center
back, center midfield etc. …
Rondos help develop the following areas1:
COGNITIVE. In rondos the player is constantly perceiving and making decisions with respect
to his teammates, opponents, position of the ball etc. … For this reason the capacity to make
the correct decisions and the speed of play are improved.
RONDOS
DEFINITION AND BENEFITS
TECHNICAL COORDINATION. Due to the way that the rondo is set up, it is necessary to have
control of the physical movements and technical skills with respect to time and space, the
game, the ball and opponents.
TEAM BUILDING. (mini-societies) With the type of work done in rondos, the understanding
between teammates is improved, and the sense of “team” is also built.
CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION. The nature of the rondo, with its limited time and space,
forces the players to use various technical and tactical abilities in order to solve constantly
changing problems within the game. This helps develop creativity.
COMPETITIVENESS. In the development of the rondo, the player’s competitive nature is
improved. Players have to fight to make space, learn how to counteract marking and how to
win the ball back. Nobody wants to be the one making the mistake which leads to time in the
middle.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONING. With rondos a team may work anaerobic resistance by varying
the space, time and number of players involved.
Excerpted from “Our Competition is the World: Ideas for implementing the United States
Soccer Curriculum.” By Stan Baker 378 pages, 2012. Lulu Publishing.
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VIDEOS TO SUPPORT RONDOS TRAINING
Albert Puig (Former Academy Director at F.C. Barcelona)
Session – 1 (La Liga Coaching Course: US Club Soccer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yas_oPIdcOQ
Session – 2 (La Liga Coaching Course: US Club Soccer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rz9K_361m8
Session – 3 (La Liga Coaching Course: US Club Soccer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXKwrI1U57c
Session – 4 (La Liga Coaching Course: US Club Soccer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuFj0xfE4kA
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VIDEOS TO SUPPORT RONDOS TRAINING
F.C. Bayern Munich (5v2, 4v4+3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VveIVcGtDI0
F.C. Bayern Munich - Pep Guardiola (4v4+3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6oBqMbg7LE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhRk4SrzMl8
Atletico de Madrid - Diego Simeone (7v2, 8v2 sprint away, 6v3 hexagonal, 7v3 one
attacker in the middle, 6v2 change of position, 7v2 with interior pass through three poles.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijyXB3BtwOM
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IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
The Proper Environment:
1. Rondos should be executed with high Intensity for short periods of time. Various sets.
Pep Guardiola: “Rondos should be done at a high level of intensity or not done at all.”
2. Extra balls close by to keep play going
3. Player concentration must be developed. Do not allow players to go asleep.
4. The ball should be put back in play quickly but with care to maintain possession.
5. Players must take responsibility for helping the team keep the ball and for winning it back when lost.
Coaching Points:
1. Maintain the correct body position (open to the field) Avoid limiting playing options due to poor
body position.
2. Play the way you are facing.
3. Pass the ball on the ground.
4. Receive across the body (inside of foot) when playing with two touches. If the ball comes from the
left – receive inside of right, if it comes from the right – receive inside of left.
5. Keep head up and scan playing area.
6. Know what you will do before the ball arrives.
7. Move quickly to support the ball (get into the light). Adjust as ball moves.
8. Quick transition: immediately pressure the ball to win the ball back or immediately open the game
in attack. Do not hesitate during transitions.
9. Develop a rhythm when playing 1 touch. The ball should move fluidly without friction.
10. Read the body language of teammates and opponents in order to anticipate what will happen next.
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4v1 RONDO
Area: 8x8 yard grid Players: 5 Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move to the corners
and open their body position to help maintain possession. Players in possession play 2 touch and receive
across the body. The player on the opposite side of the player in possession must read the body language of
his teammate and move to support accordingly. Move into the light. Each player plays 1 minute in the
middle. If the ball is won, it is given back to the team in possession and they continue possession.
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3v1 RONDO
Area: 8x8 yard grid Players :4 Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move into
the light to help possess the ball. Players in possession play 1 or 2 touch. Each player plays 1
minute in the middle. If the ball is won, it is given back to the team in possession and they
continue possession.
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3v1 RONDO DIAGONAL PASSES
Area: 5x5 yard grid Players :4 Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move into
the light to help possess the ball. Players in possession play 2 touch. Players must only make
diagonal passes. Each player plays 1 minute in the middle. If the ball is won, it is given back to the
team in possession and they continue possession.
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4v2 RONDO
Area: 8x8 yard grid Players :4 Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move into
the light to support possession of the ball. Players in possession play 2 touch.. Each pair of
players plays 1 minute in the middle. If the ball is won, it is given back to the group of 4 players
and they continue possession.
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5v2/6v2 RONDO
Area: 8x8 yard grid Players :7-8 Keys: Players not in possession without the ball must move
into the light to support the ball. Players in possession play 1 touch. If a mistake is made by an
attacker, that player changes with one of the players in the middle and play continues. Players in
the middle hold a pinnie and drop it when they are out.
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5v2 Rondo (1 attacker in the middle)
Area: 10x10 yard grid Players :7-8 Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move
into the light to help possess the ball. Players in possession play 1 touch. If a mistake is made by
an attacker, that player changes with one of the players in the middle and play continues. Players
in the middle hold a pinnie and drop it when they are out.
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4v2 RONDO WITH TRANSITION
Area: 15x10 yard grid Players: 8 Keys: Players in possession without the ball should move into the
light to support the ball. Players in possession play 1 or 2 touch. Players who win the ball back secure the
ball by passing to the other grid. They then transition to support and possess the ball. Two of the players
who were attackers transition to the other grid to win the ball back.
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5v3 RONDO WITH TRANSITION
Area: a 15x20 yard grid. Players: 9 Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move into the light to help
create an angle of support. 3 Attackers+2 Neutral players in possession vs 3 opponents attempting to win the ball
back. Play 1 or two touch. Transition from defending to attack and attack to defending should be immediate. When
the defending team wins the ball, they secure the ball by passing to the opposite side target player. The three
outside players who were in possession transition to the other grid to win the ball back. The central neutral player
and the three players who were defending now transition to the other grid to possess the ball.
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DOUBLE RONDO
Area: a 6v4 in a 15x15 yard grid and inside a 4v1 game in a 6x6 grid. Players :10
Keys: Players in possession without the ball must move into the light to help create an angle of
support. Players in possession play 1 touch. Transition from defending to attack and attack to
defending should be immediate. If the player in the 4v1 game in the middle wins the ball he/she
passes to teammates on the outside and a 6v4 game begins. When the ball is won by the four,
they begin another 4v1 game in the middle.
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2v2+3 RONDO
Area: 15x12 yard grid Players :7 (2v2 and three neutrals.) Keys: Players in possession play 1
or 2 touch. Players who win the ball back, pass to one of the neutral target players on the outside
and move immediately to an outside position on each touchline to open the game. The players
who lost the ball move into the middle and attempt to win the ball back.
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3v3+3 RONDO
Area: 20x15 yard grid Players :9 (3v3 and three neutrals.) Keys: Players in possession play 1
or 2 touch. Players who win the ball back, secure the ball by passing to one of the neutral target
players on the outside and move immediately to an outside position on each touchline to open the
game. The players who lost the ball move into the middle and attempt to win the ball back.
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4v4+3 RONDO
Area: 20x15 yard grid Players:11 (4v4 and three neutrals.) Keys: Players in possession play
1 or 2 touch. Players who win the ball back, pass to one of the neutral target players on the
outside and move immediately to an outside position on each touchline to open the game. The
players who lose the ball move into the middle and attempt to win the ball back.
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4 BOX POSSESSION GAME
Area: 40x40 with 4 10 yard grids Players :10 (1v1 in each of the four boxes plus two neutrals
who play only in possession.) Neutrals may move to any box, but they cannot both be in the same
box at the same time. Keys: Players in possession play 1 or 2 touch. To score a point a team
must compete a predetermined number of passes. Players may not move outside of their
assigned grid.
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3 ZONE RONDO
Area: 30x20 with three 10x20 grids Players : 9, 12 or 15 (Three teams of 3, 4, or 5 each).
Two teams against one.(3v1, 4v2, 5v2 in each end zone area) One or two players from the
team in the middle enter each end zone to win the ball back. When the ball is won back play
to the coach. Coach keeps play going by serving a new ball from a supply of balls. The team
in possession must make 4 passes and then pass to the other team in the other end zone to
score a point. Each team has a predetermined time in the middle. Ex. 3-4 minutes each. The
team with the most points after three rounds wins.
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6v3 RONDO (Hexagonal)
Area: Six 10 yard widths of a hexagonal Players: 12 Two teams possess the ball one or
two touch. Three players located outside the hexagonal grid and three within the hexagonal
grid. When the defending team wins the ball back they begin a possession sequence. Players
may play with any teammate inside or outside the grid. A point is scored upon a
predetermined number of passes.
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7v2 RONDO (3 poles in middle)
Area: 10x10 Players: 9 Seven attackers possess the ball against two defenders. (7v2)
Attackers play one touch. Score points by playing a predetermined number of passes and
three points when playing through the gate in the middle.
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8v2 RONDO (sprint)
Area: 15x12 Players :10 Eight attackers possess the ball against two defenders. (8v2)
Attackers play one touch. Score points by playing a predetermined number of passes and
three points when playing through the gate in the middle. After each pass the player must
sprint five yards and back five yards.
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8v3 RONDO
Area: 10x10 Players :11 Eight attackers possess the ball against three defenders. (8v3)
Attackers play one touch. Score points by playing into the central attacking player.
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6V3 2 ZONES RONDO
Area: 10x20 Players: 12 Two teams of 6 players. Attackers play one or two touch. (6v3)
in each zone. The team that wins the ball back secures the ball by passing to teammates in
the other zone. They then transition to the other zone to possess the ball. Three players from
the team that lost the ball, transition to the other grid to attempt to win the ball back. Score
points making a predetermined number of consecutive passes.
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5v5+3 RONDO
Area: 40x30 Players :13 Two teams of 5 players + 3 neutrals. One neutral is on each
end line and one in the middle. Attackers play one or two touch. When one team wins
the ball back, they must play to a target player on the outside and then transition to
attack by taking up a position on the touchline. (outside the grid) The team losing
possession immediately enters the field and attempts to win the ball back.
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5v5+4 RONDO
Area: 45x35 Players :13 Two teams of 5 players + 4 neutrals. One neutral is on each
end line and two in the middle. Attackers play one or two touch. When one team wins the
ball back, they must play to a target player on the outside and then transition to attack by
taking up a position on the touchline. (outside the grid) The team losing possession
immediately enters the field and attempts to win the ball back. Outside players cannot play
to each other on the same touchline. Players on the touchline must either pass to an end
line target player or to a neutral or teammate in the middle.
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5v5+5 RONDO
Area: 40x35 Players :13 Two teams of 5 players + 5 neutrals. Two neutrals (center backs)
are on one end line, two in the middle, and one more on the opposite end line. Attackers play
one or two touch. When one team wins the ball back, they must play to a target player on the
outside and then transition to attack by taking up a position on the touchline. (outside the grid)
The team losing possession immediately enters the field and attempts to win the ball back.
Outside players cannot play to each other on the same touchline. Players on the touchline
must either pass to an end line target player or to a neutral or teammate in the middle.
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5v5+5 RONDO (4-3-3 Shape)
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5v5+5 RONDO
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5v5+5 RONDO TRANSITIONS