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Attacking Coaching Points in Keep Away Games

Basic Keep Away Game movement exercises for Attacking Players. Movements for 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.

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.

Attacking Coaching Points - Animation 1

Attacker 1 In Possession

Attacker 1 with the ball should always move their body to face as many of their teammates as possible. If Attacker 1 with the ball only faces the teammate they will pass to then the other team will read the play, know who they plan to pass to and move to win the ball. See Attacker 1 in above animation.

Attackers Supporting Attacker 1 In Possession

When Attacker 1 has the ball their supporting teammates (Attackers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) move their hips and shoulders to face them . When facing a teammate in possession either foot, thigh or side of the body can be used to receive a pass from them. See Attacker 1 in above animation.

Attacker 2 Receiving A Pass From Attacker 1

In the animation above the ball is passed to Attacker 2 who is facing Attacker 1. As Attacker 2 receives the pass they can only pass (see teal blue lines) to Attackers 1, 5 and 6. See Attacker 2 in above animation.

As Attacker 2 receives the ball they touch the ball away from the nearest opponent and move their body to face as many of their teammates as possible.  Attacker 2 opens their body to pass (see teal blue lines) to their teammates (Attackers 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6). See Attacker 2 in above animation.

Players Supporting Attacker 2 In Possession

As Attacker 2 receives the ball all of their teammates (Attackers 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6) move their hips and shoulders to face them so they can receive the ball with either foot, thigh or side of their bodies. When all teammates are open for a pass from Attacker 2 it is much harder for their opponents to defend and win the ball. See Players 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in above animation.

Attacking Coaching Points - Animation 2

When Attackers 2, 4 And 6 Pass The Ball

When Attacker 2 passes to Attacker 4 all teammates open their hips and shoulders to Attacker 4. See Attackers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 in the above animation.

When Attacker 4 passes to Attacker 6 all teammates open their hips and shoulders to Attacker 6. See Attackers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the above animation.

When Attacker 6 passes to Attacker 2 all teammates open their hips and shoulders to Attacker 2. See Attackers 1, 3, 4, 5 and 
 in the above animation.

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