Rondo into attack, 5v3

Aim

In the rondo the aim is to move the ball at high tempo, with quick thinking and accurate passes. After five passes the focus shifts to thinking forward, leaving the rondo quickly and joining to support the attackers. The start of the attack is random. Nobody knows who will lead it or where the ball will go, so players have to react, scan the space and decide in real time.

How it runs

The rondo is played in a square in the middle of the pitch, five attackers against two defenders. After five passes in a row, two attackers leave the rondo with the ball and join the striker and the wingers. That makes five attackers against three defenders who wait behind the defensive line. The attacking team has to create a chance and finish on goal. If the defenders win the ball, the exercise ends.

Setup

1. Mark a 15 x 15 meter square close to the halfway line
2. 5 attackers play against 2 defenders in the square
3. Around the penalty area, place 3 defenders and mannequins that stand in for a line of center backs
4. Add 3 attackers as a striker and two wingers who come inside
5. A goalkeeper in goal

Coaching points

• Movement and support: attackers join quickly and support each other to create passing options
• Link the square to the full attack: move the ball from the square to the penalty area smoothly and get to a finish
• 1v1 situations and decisions against the defensive line: use the gaps between the center backs and the mannequins to create a numerical advantage
• Keep the tempo and the intensity. The exercise should run like the game, without unnecessary stops