Focus: Passing/ Warm-Up Drill
Number of Players: 8
Age: +U8
Level: Easy/Medium
Setup:
- Create a circle with at least 6 passing players.
- Adjust the circle’s size based on the number of players, maintaining a distance of approximately 1-2 meters between each player.
- Position 2 defenders in the center of the circle.
- Adjust the distance between players based on their age and skill level.
Why Use This Drill?
The Circle Rondo Drill is one of the most classic and iconic exercises in football/soccer, used by top teams worldwide and an ideal warm-up drill for any squad. The Rondo drill trains quick passes and triangular passes among teammates. Additionally, it’s beneficial for defenders to practice pressing play, where communication between defenders is crucial.
How It Works
1. Variation (2 Defenders)
The traditional Circle Rondo drill features a circle with a suitable number of players and 2 defenders in the middle. When a defender wins or forces the ball out of the circle, they swap with the player responsible for the faulty pass.
2. Variation ( Free Player In The Circle)
Similar to the first drill, this variation includes an additional player inside the circle, offering free movement to create passing opportunities. After each play stoppage, the player in the center can rotate with one of the others in the circle.
3. Variation ( 2 Players In The Circle With Movement)
A more complex variation, involving 3 defenders and 2 passing players in the center. Every time a passing player in the center receives the ball, they must pass it back to the circle. Afterward, the center passing player switches positions with the player who initially passed the ball into the center. Additionally, the same defensive principles apply as in the first 2 drills.
Other Key Points:
- Encourage players to stay on their toes, maintaining a state of readiness to receive the ball and make plays.
- After 10 consecutive passes, a penalty can be imposed on the defenders, like 10 push-ups/sit-ups.
- Always try to keep a maximum of 1 to 2 touches before passing.
- The drill should be seen as inspiration. So feel free to adapt the drill to suit your team’s specific needs or focus areas.
