1

The Digital Journal No. 23

Introduction

The types of rondo

Why use the rondo

The variants to apply

Conclusion

12 games and situations

2
 Introduction
The 'rondo' was created in the 1950s within the FC Barcelona club.
It was Johan Cruyff who popularized and standardized it when he arrived at the
Blaugranas. He made it a standard training tool. The rondo is a style
of fundamental training in which the team that has possession of the ball has
of a numerical advantage. The classic arrangement of the rondo is to form a circle or
a square of 3 to 12 players with the ball. In the center, 1 to 4 players will
try to regain the ball as often as possible on passing trajectories.

The rondo continues to evolve. Indeed, it now offers a multitude of variations.

in terms of spaces (rectangle, pentagon, circle, triangle, diamond..) and of ratio
by force (4 against 1, 5 against 2, 7 against 2, 10 against 3, 4 against 1 + 4 against, 6
against 2 + 1). The size of the playing space will be of predominant importance.

The rondo is not just a simple exercise; it is the foundation of possession play where it is created.
the magic of football - Andréa INIESTA

The types of rondo

We can classify the rondos based on their characteristics. There are 4
groups to distinguish:

1 – The traditional rondo

It's a rondo where the players
remain in fixed positions. It
is ideal for introducing a
session. In general, the only objective
is to maintain possession. The
the balance of power can vary: 3
against 1; 4 against 2; 8 against 2...

FC Barcelona (2020 – 2021) - Traditional Rondo

2 - The transition rondo
For this rondo, when the team that is initially in possession loses it, they will have to
shift from an offensive status to a defensive status and adhere to certain defensive principles

3
(pressing the loss of the ball, rebuilding a defensive structure...) in order not to
to concede points.

3 - The rondo with a change of orientation

It involves moving the game from one area to another after completing a goal.
For example, the team in possession of the ball made 5 passes in an area, it
can now move to the other area. The change of orientation must be made by
a long or mid-length pass.

4 - The 'recreational' rondo

The main goal is to make the rondo attractive and playful to create a good
work environment. The organization, the rules, and the competition will make the
playful content.

Why use the rondo?

Excellent for improving team cohesion, the rondo is also a very good tool.
training to work technically and tactically. We will discuss here
below what the players will develop.

1 – The technique
Each player will improve their conservation technique by performing some
basic actions such as the pass, the return, the deflection or even a catch of
He will need to adapt his gestures according to the game situation that arises.
present.

2 - Anticipation
The rondo has the particularity that players must necessarily play.
in a single touch of the ball. Players must identify the future actions of
partners and opponents in order to keep the ball in their possession. This
requires anticipation for each game situation.

3 – The tactic
The rondo offers a multitude of game situations related to the 4 moments of
jeu ( transition offensive, organisation offensive, transition défensive,
defensive organization). Even if the balance of power and the playing space facilitate
the game between the lines, the use of a support, the orientation of the body, the
change of pace... with a game objective and specific rules, the work of
transitions can be brought to the forefront.

4
 4 - Aggressiveness
The defender(s) are at a disadvantage against the team in possession of the ball.
ball. In order to retrieve the ball, they will have to show aggression,
determination and even surpassing oneself in order to counter possession
adverse, to cut trajectories or even to win duels. The or the
defenders improve defensive techniques.

5 - Competitiveness
The rondo is a fun and pleasant environment that will create a
atmosphere of healthy competition. Adversity drives players to raise their
levels and the intensity of the game.

The variants to apply

A variant is a neighboring but slightly different form of a base game. In
manipulating the play space, the action time of the players, the objective of the game, the relationship of
force, the dynamic or static position, the rondo (or even another content) will be
simplified or complicated. We will present you with a set of variants that
the coach can use:

A - The game space

A large space will facilitate ball possession while a small space will
facilitate defensive work. The coach can also divide his playing space to include
integrate a balance of power.

B - The action time of the players

The coach can decrease or increase the number of touches per player.
or by team to score a point. He can also reduce or increase the time.
the action of a player or a team counting the seconds.

C - The aim of the game

How can the team score a point? This can be by achieving a number of
pass, by changing zone, by finding a target player, by crossing a door
by a pass. Each team can have its way of scoring a point. This
This method allows for working on other themes.

5
 D - The balance of power

The number of players that can be found in a rondo varies. Here are some
exemples : 4 contre 1, 4 contre 2, 4 contre 1 + 1, 5 contre 2, 6 contre 2, 10 contre 3.
In the case of a novice audience for this type of content and even in case of difficulty
Technically, the balance of power must be favorable to the attack.

E - Dynamic or static position

We can increase the complexity of the rondo by making the players move. By
for example, the player can move into a new area or move onto a
new line after a technical action

Conclusion
The Dutch player and coach Johan Cruyff describes this type of training: "Everything
what happens in a match, except for the shot, you can do it in a rondo. The aspect
competitive, create space, what to do when in possession and what to do when you
do not have the ball, how to play football in 1 touch, how to counter the
tight marking and how to recover the ball.

The rondo is an ally for the coach who wants to base his game model on the
ball possession. The advantages are numerous: the perception of the game,
understanding of the game, creativity, mastery of the game in small spaces, the
creativity… One might even consider it as an introduction to another tool
necessary for a collective mastery of the ball. Yes, we are talking about the 'game of
position ». In the rondo, we find situations that the players will produce
in a positional game and vice versa. As an example, we can mention the use of
of a free man (a player who receives a pass forward without an opponent marking him)
) or the use of 3thman (player in support position and behind one or two lines
defensive) .

It is therefore necessary to insist on the rondos in training for those who want to
develop a good technical mastery and a good understanding of the game for his
team.

6
12 games and situations
Rondo

7
 Rondo
TRADITIONAL
8 against 2

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

10 15 minutes 12 m x 12 m Average Plots

Description
Goal of the game:
Make 10 consecutive passes = 1 point

Rules:
8 against 2.
The team in possession of the ball is positioned on the sides of the square (2 players)
on the side).
The 2 defenders defend in the playing area.
The player who recovers the ball becomes the attacker while the one who loses the ball
becomes defender.
If the team in possession of the ball loses the ball alone, it is the defender who is
stayed the longest as a defender who becomes a forward.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Alternate 1 touch - 2 mandatory touches
If the 2 defenders regain the ball from the first 5 passes, they become
attackers. While the one who lost the ball and the player who is to his right.
become defenders.

8
 RONDO
TRADITIONAL
2 x (4 against 1)

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

10 15 minutes 2x Average Plots

(9 m x 9 m)
Description
Goal of the game:
Make 10 consecutive passes using both zones = 1 point

Rules:
2 x (4 against 1).
The team in possession of the ball is positioned on the sides of the squares.
A defender in each square.
The player who retrieves the ball becomes the attacker while the one who loses the ball
become a defender.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Alternate 1 touch - 2 mandatory touches.
Forbidden to play with the player who just made the pass.

9
 Rondo
TRADITIONAL
11 against 3

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

14 15 minutes central round Difficult ___

Description
Goal of the game:
Make 10 consecutive passes = 1 point

Rules:
11 against 3.
The team in possession of the ball is positioned on the sides of the center circle.
The 3 defenders are defending in the central circle.
The player who loses the ball becomes a defender with the player immediately on their
right and on its left.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants :
It is forbidden to play with the player immediately to their right or to their left.
10 against 4.

10
 ROUND
OF THE TRANSITION 8 against 3

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

8 against 3 18 minutes 20 m x 20 m Difficult Plots – 4

mini-buts
Description
Goal of the game:
Make 10 consecutive passes for the attackers = 1 point
Score in one of the 4 mini-goals in less than 3 passes for defenders = 1
point

Rules:
8 against 3.
The black team positions itself to have players on the sides and 2 players
in the axis of the play area.
The 3 white defenders are defending in the playing area.
When the defenders regain the ball, they are free but they must score.
in less than 3 passes. The blacks must act to protect the mini-goals.
1 touch of the ball for the attackers.

Variants :
Enlarge the play area.
Balloon on the ground required.

11
 Rondo
OF THE TRANSITION 5 against 1 ( + 4 )

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

10 4 x 3 minutes 2 triangles of Average Plots

16 m on each side
Description
Goal of the game:
Complete the number of passes imposed by the coach (e.g.: 6 - 8 - 12) = 1 point

Rules:
The players position themselves as shown in the illustration.
Each team has a triangle to keep the ball.
As soon as the defender recovers the ball, he must send it to his camp despite
the opponent's opposition.
The defender switches to his own half to become a forward.
As soon as the ball is controlled in the opponent's half, a defender must go hunt.
to retrieve the ball.
Each player must take turns defending.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Alternate 1 touch – 2 mandatory touches
2 defenders hunt in the opposing camp

12
 Rondo
IN MOVEMENT
5 against 2 (+ 1)

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

8 15 minutes 2 squares of Easy Plots

15 m x 15 m
Description
Objective of the game:

Achieve a minimum of 6 passes in each zone for attackers = 1 point

Making a stoppage-ball outside the field for defenders = 1 point

Rules:
Les joueurs sont positionnés comme sur l’illustration.
The attackers must complete at least 6 passes in an area before changing.
of the zone.
Defenders must make a ball stop outside the field in less than 3.
passes.
There should always be a forward in the opposing zone.
The defenders defend for 1 minute 30 (turn by turn).
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Balloon on the ground.
Make at least 8 passes in each zone for the attackers.

13
 RONDO
IN MOVEMENT
4 against 1 ( + 2 ) + 4 against 1

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

16 18 minutes 2 squares of Average Plots

18 m x 18 m
Description
Objective of the game:

Exchanging the ball from one square to another square for the attackers = 1 point
Make a pass for the defenders = 1 point

Rules:
The players are positioned as shown in the illustration.
Make at least 4 passes in one area before joining the next area by
a pass on the ground.
A defender defends in each zone and two defenders defend in the
central corridor.
The defenders defend for 2 minutes.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
3 defenders are defending in the central corridor.
Widen the central corridor in depth.

14
 Rondo
IN MOTION
8 against 2

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

10 20 minutes 4 squares of Difficult Plots

12 m x 12 m
Description
Goal of the game:
Make a minimum of 5 passes in 2 zones for attackers = 1 point
Making a stop-ball outside the field for defenders = 1 point

Rules:
8 against 2.
The players are positioned as in the illustration.
The attackers must make a minimum of 5 passes in an area before changing.
of the zone. They choose one of the 3 free zones.
The defenders defend for 2 minutes.
Defenders must score in less than 3 seconds.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Enlarge / reduce the playing area.
2 touches of the ball

15
 ROUND
THE TRANSITION
5 against 2

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

7 15 minutes A triangle of Average Plots – 3

20 m on each side mini-but
Description
Goal of the game:
Crossing the central square with a pass for attackers = 1 point
Score in one of the 3 mini goals in less than 3 passes for defenders = 1
point

Rules:
5 against 2.
The team with the ball positions itself to have players in the corners and
2 players in the axis of the game space.
The 2 defenders defend in the playing area for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Balloon on the ground required.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Alternate 1 touch – 2 required touches
If the defenders recover the ball on the first 4 passes, they score a
point.

16
 Rondo
RECREATIONAL
4 x (2) against (2)

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

10 15 minutes 16 m x 16 m Average Plots

Description
Goal of the game:
Complete 10 consecutive passes = 1 point

Rules :
Players are in pairs.
The teams in possession of the ball are positioned on the sides of the square.
The team that loses the ball defends.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Enlarge / reduce the play area.
Balloon on the ground is mandatory.
Put the players in groups of 3.

17
 ROUND
RECREATIONAL
4 against 2 + 4 against 2

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

16 18 minutes 2 squares of Average Plots

20 m x 20 m
Description
Goal of the game:
Make more passes than the opponent in a sequence = 1 point

Rules:
The players are positioned as shown in the illustration.
A defender from each side goes to defend in the first square. As soon as they have
Recovered the ball, they will defend in the second square.
The passes are counted only when both defenders are in the box.
The attackers' passes are added.
2 touches maximum.

Variants:
Enlarge / reduce the playing area.
1 touch.

18
 Rondo
RECREATIONAL
11 against 3

Name of Duration Space Difficulty Material

players

14 18 minutes 17 m x 17 m Difficult Plots - lattes

Description
Goal of the game:
Make 10 consecutive passes = 1 point

Rules:
11 contre 3.
The attackers form a circle holding a plank each.
The defenders form a line with 2 bars.
The defenders defend for 1 minute and 30 seconds. They must concede the
fewer points possible.
1 touch of the ball.

Variants:
Enlarge / reduce the playing area.
Balloon on the ground.

19
________________________NOTES_________________________

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

20