Copy the pitch picture as closely as numbers allow.
Protect ball-rolling time; intervene in natural stoppages.
Use STEP live if challenge or success tips too far.
Session flow
6m
13m
13m
13m
5m
Arrival · 6 mins
Arrival — Rondo to progress
6:00
Fun ball each activity linked to rondo to progress. Lots of touches, short queues, coach joins in.
Organisation: Half of a 5v5 pitch; 1 ball each to start.
Coaching points
Big smiles, lots of praise.
Keep the ball close when moving.
Eyes up when you can.
Progressions
Add a soft challenge or tagger.
Regressions
Bigger space, slower demo.
Technical · 13 mins
Practice picture — Rondo to progress
13:00
Simple game that repeats the picture of rondo to progress with light opposition.
Organisation: Small grids or channels; rotate roles every 60–90 seconds.
Coaching points
Show me the picture with your body.
Try again quickly after a mistake.
Use both feet when you can.
Progressions
Add a mini-goal or end zone.
Regressions
Remove the defender / add a helper.
Skill · 13 mins
Drill 2 — develop Rondo to progress
13:00
Add light opposition or a constraint so players must solve rondo to progress under pressure. Rotate roles often.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches so everyone is playing.
Coaching points
Play forward when you see space.
Help a teammate who is stuck.
Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
Shrink space / add a live defender.
Regressions
Unopposed patterns first.
Small-sided game · 13 mins
Drill 3 — game for Rondo to progress
13:00
Small-sided or conditioned game that scores/rewards rondo to progress. Minimal stoppages.
Organisation: Multiple mini-pitches if needed so everyone plays.
Coaching points
Find moments for rondo to progress.
Help a teammate who is stuck.
Celebrate effort, not only goals.
Progressions
Remove the condition when the theme is secure.
Regressions
Neutral helper / overload.
Plenary · 5 mins
What did we learn?
5:00
Players share one thing they tried. Coach links back to the theme in kid language.
Organisation: Circle with the ball.
Coaching points
Listen to teammates.
Name one success.
Related drills
Drill 123
Rondo + “Burst Move” (15 mins)
Setup:
grid (10x10m)
2 defenders in the middle, rest on outside
1 ball
How it works:
Outside players keep possession using one or two touches.
As soon as a player passes, they must immediately “burst” into a new space around the edge (not just shuffle sideways), before their foot lands.
Next receiver fills the empty spot, creating a constant flow.
Coaching Points:
Focus on receiving with the back foot, head up.
Pass and move with urgency—don’t watch your pass!
“Burst” movement—push off the standing foot as the pass is played.
Call out “NAME!” every time you pass.
Progression:
Add a second ball for more challenge.
Limit to one-touch passes if appropriate.
1 point
2 points
6v6/6v12 Rondo – Utilising the half turn
3 teams (taking turns – 7 mins each)
White team is collecting points
Yellow team defending
Blue team outside being available for passes
Rules –
Team collecting points loses a popint each time they lose possession
They get 1 point for a pass which goes from top to side or side to top, 2 points for a ball which switches long ways.
Collect as many points as they can in 7 minutes.
Coaching Points –
360 scanning
Bodyshape
Decision making
Always passing to back foot
Always receiving on back foot
Game:
7v7 (half vs Half)
ATT –
To Score you must pass the ball across the centre line and score
within 2 touches!
Progression 1:
ATT now dribble through across center line before passing to
score
Coaching notes:
- Body shape when receiving
ball
- Movement off the ball
- Can we use a switch
- Defensive team
can we get
in line and cover?
30 min.
1 point
2 points
6v6/6v12 Rondo – Utilising the half turn
3 teams (taking turns – 7 mins each)
White team is collecting points
Yellow team defending
Blue team outside being available for passes
Rules –
Team collecting points loses a popint each time they lose possession
They get 1 point for a pass which goes from top to side or side to top, 2 points for a ball which switches long ways.
Collect as many points as they can in 7 minutes.
Coaching Points –
360 scanning
Bodyshape
Decision making
Always passing to back foot
Always receiving on back foot