{"id":19598,"date":"2022-01-03T11:17:16","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T19:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/?p=19598"},"modified":"2023-06-12T12:16:48","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T19:16:48","slug":"trace-toolkit-the-art-of-the-rondo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/traceup.com\/trace-toolkit-the-art-of-the-rondo","title":{"rendered":"Trace Toolkit: The Art of the Rondo"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rondos are the most popular soccer passing drill in the world for a reason. Simple yet incredibly effective, the beauty of the rondo is how it nurtures cognitive and technical development in a fun and competitive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s all about rondos. Rondo, rondo, rondo. Every single day. It\u2019s the best exercise there is. You learn responsibility and not to lose the ball.\u201d \u2014 Xavi Hernandez<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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But many coaches and many teams are using rondos all wrong, or at least not maximizing their impact. Too often, coaches use rondos as a glorified game of monkey in the middle, with a static circle of players surrounding two flat-footed and half-hearted defenders<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not enough, and totally misses the point and potential of these unbalanced, small-sided keep-away games. Check out some suggestions for how to revitalize your practices with new rondo variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Rondo Basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cEverything 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\u2019t got the ball, how to play \u2018one touch\u2019 soccer, how to counteract the tight marking and how to win the ball back.\u201d \u2014 Johan Cruyff<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Rondos are all about meaningful touches. One group of players has a numerical advantage (3v1, 5v2, etc.) in a tight area, and work together to possess the ball against high-intensity opponents. This gives each player dozens of touches in a short span, while also offering an opportunity to improve decision-making, speed of play, footwork, creativity, confidence, and so much more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most basic version can be played with just four players. Start with a triangle of cones, placed anywhere from 5-10 yards apart. Three attacking players stay outside the triangle, while one player defends from the inside. If the defender wins the ball, or if the ball leaves the space, they switch with whoever lost the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key here is movement. The attacking players shouldn\u2019t stay static at a cone \u2014 instead, they should be moving laterally between<\/em> two cones to take charge of one side. This teaches basic, yet vital instincts for constant movement, body positioning and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The natural progression is into 4v2 in a 10×10 square, with attacking players again moving between cones, rather than stationary and stagnant. This creates a \u201cmoving diamond\u201d with both length and width. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rondo Variations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The possibilities in this basic format are endless, with variables introducing exciting challenges and encouraging problem-solving, creative thinking and competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could set a particular number of passes as a goal \u2014 if the attacking unit achieves it, the two defenders must repeat a round. You could count penetrating passes (which split the two defenders) for points. You could divide players into two balanced teams in adjacent grids, and introduce transitions to create a game of moving rondo\u2014 check out the video below to see that one in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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