ARNE SLOT, RONDO

📝 1. Description of the exercise

This is a structured exercise involving pressing, possession, and defensive transition , where players must coordinate their collective and individual efforts. The game is played with three rondos arranged horizontally: one central (8x8 m) and two lateral (6x6 m). The offensive team deploys four players in the central rondo and three on each lateral. The defensive team rotates in pairs. The exercise seeks to activate collective defensive principles: pressing, coverage, and transition to the lateral zone.

⚙️ 2. Organization and development

• Space:

  • Central Rondo: 8x8 m

  • Side roundabouts: 6x6 m each

• Material: Balls, cones to delimit spaces

• Players: 2 teams of 10 players

• Development:

  1. In the central rondo, 4 offensive players play in possession.

  2. At the signal of the coach , two defenders come in to press.

  3. When one of them touches the ball, each defender runs to a different sideline.

  4. In each lateral rondo a 3×1 is developed (3 offensive players vs 1 defender).

  5. If there is a steal or interception, the drill ends and two more defenders enter.

🎯 4. Tips or main aspects

• 🧠 Defensive coordination: It is important that defenders work together to close down passing lanes.

• 🕹️ Reaction and transition: Speed when changing zones and maintaining aggression in the new 3-on-1.

• 📶 Body orientation and passing lines: Vital for keeping the ball under pressure.

• 💬 Communication and clear roles: Essential for effectiveness in both phases of the game.

🔁 3. Variants

• ✅ Change the size of the rondos to adapt to technical difficulty or pressure.

• ✅ Add an offensive wildcard on the side lines to encourage circulation.

• ✅ Limit the number of touches in rondos to increase pace and intensity.

• ✅ Include a small goal in the side rounds for the defender to try to finish after stealing.