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Attacking Against 1 Defender

Keep Away or Rondo games teach players the roles of the

• Player in possession of the ball.
• Supporting teammates of the player in possession who must move to be in the "Best Position" to receive a pass from their teammate in possession.
• Teammate receiving the ball who must first touch the ball away from pressure (opponents) to keep possession while looking for teammates in the "Best Position" to work with.
• Defending opponents learns to contain, deny passing lanes and make play predictable while playing "Numbers Down". See Defending Coaching Points

Keep Away Games
Rondo games are played in small areas to maximize the number of touches under pressure from opponents, teach game concepts and to improve players in the least amount of time.

• Distance - The best distance between opposite sides is the distance players can firmly pass but not more than 20 meters (21.9 yards).
• Touches - Start with unlimited touches and over time progress to 2 touches. In 2 touch players should learn to use their "1st touch" to set up their "2nd touch" pass or shot. Do NOT play 1 touch unless all players in the game have the ability to play 1 touch under pressure. When players play 1 touch and most balls go out of the area, time is lost, players become frustrated, lose focus and learning ceases. Also players "select out" players who make bad 1st touch passes the most and stop passing to them.
• Movement - Players play between the two cones on their side of the game area and can only move between those two cones.

6 v 1 Attacking Coaching Points - Animation 1

Attacker 2 Receiving A Pass From Attacker 1

When Attacker 2 receives the pass from Attacker 1 they touch it to the side "away from pressure" (the closest Defender).

The Defender moves to "contain" Attacker 2 and blocks the on the ground "passing lanes" to both Attacker 4 and Attacker 5. When a defender blocks the longest "through passes" to open opponents in a position to shoot their team will usually keep their opponents from scoring. 

Attacker 2 Can Still Pass To Attackers 4 Or 5 If

Attacker 2 can still pass the ball to either Attacker 4 or Attacker 5 if 

• they can chip the ball (lift it in the air) over the head of  the Defender to get it to either Attacker 4 or 5, and 
• if Attacker 4 and/or Attacker 5 have the skill to receive the ball in the air.
  

Attacker 2 Can Also Pass On The Ground To Attackers 1, 3 or 6

Attacker 2 can pass on the ground to Attackers 3, 1 or 6. 

• The passing lane to Attacker 6 is close to the Defender so Attacker 6 is not in the "best position" to safely receive and keep the ball.
  
• Because the passing lanes to Attackers 1 and 3 are widest a pass to either is the safest with less chance of losing possession of the ball.
  

6 v 1 Attacking Coaching Points - Animation 2

Why Passing To Attackers On Wide Passing Lanes Is Better

The Attacker with the ball has the best passing options if all of their teammates constantly move to be in the "best position". In learning to play Keep Away or Rondo games players play between two cones. To be in the "best position" players instantly move to the cone that creates the widest "passing lane" between them and their teammate with the ball.

The best passing lanes are usually the widest lanes with little chance the Defender can move quickly enough to win the ball. In the animation the widest passing lanes are the widest arrows in green. The worst passing lanes are in red.

In learning to move between cones to be on the widest passing lane some coaches impose a rule for Keep Away practice games that reminds players to instantly move to be on the widest passing lane. A players who does not instantly move to be on the widest possible passing lane instantly switches positions with a defender.

Coaching Points Menu

Return to Soccer Keep Away

Attacking Coaching Points
    Attacking Versus 1 Defender
    Attacking Versus 2 Defenders
Defending Coaching Points