Soccer Passing Drill
Rondo (4v1 Keep-Away)
Four players on the sides of a small square keep the ball away from one defender in the middle. Five passes in a row scores a point.
Step 1 of 7
Four players on the sides of the square, D in the middle. 1 has the ball. Five passes in a row scores a point.
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 4–5
- Ages
- 8–16U9–U17
- Pace
- Medium
Works on
- Passing
- Ball control
- Wins the ball
Set up
- Make a 12 x 12 yard square with 4 cones. Make groups of 5.
- Four players stand on the four sides of the square. One defender in a pinnie starts in the middle.
- Odd number of kids? Add a fifth passer to one group (5v1), or play 3v1 with a group of 4.
- Space
- 12 x 12 yards per group
- You need
- 4 cones per group · 1 ball per group · Pinnies for the defenders
How to play
- The outside players pass the ball around and across the square. The defender tries to touch it.
- Outside players stay on their own side but slide along it to get open.
- Count passes out loud. Five passes in a row scores a point. Older kids go for ten.
- If the defender touches the ball, or a pass leaves the square, the player who made the bad pass swaps into the middle.
- Nobody stays in the middle longer than 1 minute. Swap in a new defender if needed.
Coaching points
- Slide along your side so there is a clear line from the ball to you.
- Open your body so you can see the defender and the next player.
- First touch away from the defender, then pass.
- Pass on the ground with pace. Slow passes get stolen.
- Defender: run at the ball fast and block one side, so they can only pass one way.
Easier
Make the square bigger, add a fifth passer (5v1), and allow three touches before each pass.
Harder
Shrink the square to 10 x 10 yards. Two touches only, then one touch. Older players can try 5v2.
Run it at your next practice
With a free account, put Rondo (4v1 Keep-Away) in a practice plan with its minutes and water breaks. At the field the clock moves on to the next drill by itself.