2v2+1 Rondo with Transition — Transition Is the Key
Fast and accurate transitions between attack and defence
Setup & rules
- The attackers (2 players) keep the ball inside the grid together with the floater (1 player)
- The floater always plays with the attacking team
- When the defenders (2 players) win the ball, they become the attackers straight away, and the team that lost the ball switches to defending
- No particular touch limit (encourage players to judge the situation and choose their play)
Key factors
- When there is no passing lane, don't stop on the spot — carry the ball into space with a dribble and create time
- Add a feint before controlling the ball, for example, so that it is harder for the opponent to predict your next action
- At the moment the ball is won, the defending players are often narrow in the centre, so first carry the ball with a dribble, or give it to a teammate once and create time to spread out
Progressions
- The quality of the practice can change a lot depending on the level of the floater, so it is also good to rotate the floater on time, depending on the situation
- When the ball rarely goes out of the court (keeping the ball and transitions happen one after another), it is, frankly, tough. Make good use of freezes and let players rest as you go
Kazu's notes FROM THE COACH
Coaching points: so that players don't rush a pass and lose the ball again when the opponent's press comes right after winning it, firmly build the awareness of "keeping the ball" and "carrying it". Watch for players who stop moving after winning the ball and passing, and encourage them to take a supporting position quickly after the pass and stay involved in play continuously.
Aims: (1) the awareness and movement to switch quickly to defending the moment the ball is lost from a numerical advantage; (2) quickly taking positions suited to attack (width and depth) the moment the ball is won; (3) making it a habit through continuous transitions.
Use this drill in your own session
Download it and open it in TRAINING DESIGNER — a free drill designer and session planner in your browser. Edit the diagram, change the numbers, add it to a session, and export as PDF, GIF or video.
In the app: menu → “Import external data” → choose the downloaded file. No sign-up needed. The original Japanese article: junior-soccer.college.One idea a week from Japanese youth football
A free weekly essay on how kids actually learn the game — complexity, the ecological approach, and what 30 years on Japanese grassroots pitches taught me.
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