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3v2 + 1v1 Rondo (Progressing) — Continuous Support

Progressing and keeping the ball (continuous support)

Players: 4+3Area: about 15×25 mAge: U-10 and upTime: 15 minPhase: Keeping the ball

Setup & rules

HOW IT WORKS
  • Split a rectangular pitch in half; start with a 3v2 in one zone and a 1v1 in the other
  • The attackers can have up to three players in each zone
  • The defenders can have up to two
  • The attackers can enter the other zone with a dribble or a pass
  • The round ends when a defender wins the ball and carries it out of the pitch
  • The defender swaps roles with the player who lost the ball
TARGET
  • None in particular
TIME
  • 10–20 min

Key factors

  1. NOT SUPPORTING IN A HIGH POSITION → FIX
  • D moves up, down, left and right to move the defenders and create a passing line
  • If the defender is in front, drop down at the moment B is able to pass
  • If the defender is behind, use a feint to create a passing lane
  1. SLOW TO MOVE INTO SPACE → FIX
  • If the pass doesn't come to you, immediately create the next passing lane
  • Anticipate how play will develop after the pass doesn't come to you
  1. NOT CREATING A PASSING LANE ON THE FAR SIDE → FIX
  • Keep making small adjustments to your positioning in relation to the ball carrier
  • Instead of going wide, come into the middle
  1. FORGETTING TO DRIBBLE → FIX
  • If you're free, dribble to move the defenders' positions
  • Use fijar (pinning a defender) to free up other players
  • But don't go too fast (your field of vision narrows)

Kazu's notes FROM THE COACH

Adjust the pitch size according to how often the target situations occur. Tools: tactical concepts = support, fijar (pinning a defender) / technical actions = passing, carrying dribble, orientated control (control orientada), protecting the ball. Coaching: to change players' awareness, first explain the reasoning simply, then just keep coaching in sync with play. Even if a player doesn't receive the ball directly, point it out when they make a good movement off the ball. Once they can do it to some extent, reduce the amount of coaching and see whether it has become a habit.

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.

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I'm Kazu — a youth football coach in Japan since 1995. These are sessions I actually use, shared from the Japanese coaching site I have run for years (Junior Soccer College). I also write a free weekly newsletter on how children learn the game.