4v2 Rondo

Setup

• Mark a 12 × 12 yard square with cones (smaller for older or better players).
• Four attackers on the outside, one on each side; two defenders inside.
• One ball, with spares at the side of the grid so play restarts quickly.

How it works

1. The four outside players pass around the square and try to keep the ball.
2. The two defenders inside try to win it or knock it out of the square.
3. A pass between the two defenders (a split pass) counts as a bonus point.
4. When a defender wins it, the attacker who lost it swaps in with the defender who has been in longest.
5. Count passes: 6 in a row is a point.

Coaching points

• Open body shape: receive side-on so you can see the next pass.
• Always give the ball an angle either side, so the passer has two options.
• Play the split pass when the defenders leave a gap. It's the pass that beats two players.

Progressions

• Two-touch limit, then one-touch.
• Shrink the square to 10 × 10 to add pressure.
• Make it 5v2 for younger groups, or 4v3 to challenge older ones.