Improve Your Passing with Rondos: 2 Effective Rondo Drills

Rondos are an essential part of modern soccer training.
They train game intelligence, passing accuracy, and quick transitions between attack and defense. In this three-zone rondo variation, the focus is on clean passing, movement off the ball, and quickly reading the game.

These drills are suitable from U13 and up. Due to the numerical advantage in the outside zones, even beginners can learn how to pass calmly and precisely under pressure — a key skill for any position on the field.

Rondo – 5 vs. 1 + 1 player in the central zone (15 players)

Setup
The field is divided into 3 zones: two outer squares and one central zone. The distances depend on the players’ skill level. There are three teams of five players each. Yellow are the chasers (defenders) positioned in the middle zone.
Starting from U13, players learn clean passing under pressure. For beginners, the overload in the outer zones makes learning easier. Rondos with 3 zones.

How it works:

1. A pass is played from the central player to one side.
2. As soon as the ball is touched, one chaser sprints into the field.
3. The two outside teams try to keep possession, aiming for 4–5 passes with two touches.
4. If successful, they may switch to the other side — scoring one point.
5. If the chasers touch the ball, they earn one point.
6. If the ball goes out or is touched by a chaser, a new ball is played into the opposite zone.
7. When a team reaches 5–10 points, teams rotate positions. Yellow switches with red, then blue with red.
8. The team with the most points wins.

Variations:

• With 16 players, the middle players can also rotate after a switch.
• Only one-touch passing allowed.
• Both chasers sprint in, creating a 5 vs. 2 situation.
• With 16 players, both central players defend simultaneously.

Rondo – 3 vs. 1 + 1 player in the central zone

Setup
The field is again split into 3 zones: two outer squares and a central zone. Three teams of three players. Yellow are the chasers in the middle.

How it works:

1. A pass is played to one outer zone.
2. One chaser sprints in as soon as the ball is touched.
3. The outside teams keep possession, aiming for 4–5 passes with two touches.
4. If successful, they can switch to the other side — scoring one point.
5. If the chasers touch the ball, they get one point.
6. If the ball goes out, a new ball is played to the opposite side to attempt a switch.
7. Once a team reaches 5–10 points, teams rotate. Yellow switches with red, then blue with red.
8. The team with the most points wins.

Variation:

• Only one-touch passing allowed.

Coaching Points:

• Spread out, check surroundings, and switch play.
• After losing the ball, the overloaded team immediately presses to win it back.

Further Variations:

• Limit to a maximum of 3 touches.
• Chasers only score a point if both players have touched the ball once.