From Passing Drill to Rondo: The Next Step in Soccer Tactics

The step from simple passing drills to complex rondos or positional games is a crucial part of soccer player development. While classical passing exercises have predefined running and passing paths with no active opponent pressure, the rondo is characterized by competitive intensity, dynamism, and tactical depth.

To make the transition from isolated passing drills to complex game forms easier, intermediate stages are useful. Here, opponents act against ball possession but may only block passing lanes rather than actively challenge the ball. This creates a training form that sits between pure technical drills and game-like rondos in difficulty.

Training objectives of these intermediate forms:

• Secure passing
• Smart movement off the ball and out of opponents’ shadow
• Recognize and exploit gaps and best passing options
• Quickly decide which action is the best

3 vs 1 in three zones with switching sides

The following “3 vs 1 in three zones with switching sides” combines precise passing with the tactical element of a “wall pass and forward run”.

Organization:

• The field is divided into 3 zones: the outer squares 6x6m, the middle zone 3x6m. Distances can be adjusted based on player level.
• Two teams of 4 players each are formed. In the outer squares, one blue defender is positioned per square.

Procedure:

• The two outer teams are not attacked and focus on ball possession.
• Red players, after 4–5 successful passes among themselves, play a “wall pass and forward run” with the yellow player in the middle.
• Then the ball switches to the other side, and the yellow team maintains possession.
• After 5 successful passes, they switch the ball via the fourth yellow player in a “wall pass and forward run” to the other side.
• Each side switch earns one point for both 4-player teams.
• Defenders are rotated every 2–3 minutes.

Coaching point:

• The middle players observe the passes of the outer players and always position themselves so that one is deep and the other short to enable a “wall pass and forward run.”