MOURINHO RONDO 5 X 2

🧠 1. Exercise description

Positional exercise that reproduces a real situation of ball exit in zone 1, with 3×1 superiority. The objective is to work on the identification and use of the third man, ball circulation with rival pressure and immediate defensive transition after loss. It simulates the interaction between center midfielders, center midfielders and half-backs.

🧩 2. Organization and development

• The space is delimited in the shape of a rhombus, with two small goals located at the upper corners.

• Participants:

  • 2 center midfielders + 1 center midfielder (located at the base and sides of the rhombus).

  • 2 half points or advanced central points in the intermediate vertices.

  • 1 defender pressing inside the sector (simulates the opposing forward).

• The objective of the offensive trio is to keep the ball in 3×1 and look for one of the advanced players through a combination or third man.

• Once the pass is connected with the target player, he/she continues the play in the other direction, rotating the roles.

• If the defender recovers the ball, a quick transition to the goal is generated.

🎯 4. Tips or main aspects

• 🧠 E ffective use of the third man: support unmarking, passing and unloading.

• 📐 S pace management in triangles and body profiles to facilitate passing lines.

• 🔄 Immediate transition after loss, both for the trio and the receivers.

• 🗣️ Communication and quick decision making, key to overcome rival pressure.

🔄 3. Variants

• 🔁 Increase pressure by including a second defender after a certain number of passes.

• 🔄 Change target goals after each sequence to work on game orientation.

• ⏱️ Limit the time or number of touches to promote rhythm and accuracy.

• 📍 Convert the half-strikers into active receivers to finish in mini-goals after receiving.