Everton Wide Rondo to Finish the Attack

Instructions/Setup:

Play starts with a 4v1 rondo in a wide area, where the possession-based team aims to complete a set number of successful passes before breaking out of the grid. Once the required passes are made, the possession team transitions into a 4v4 attacking phase, where they must look to progress the ball into a scoring position.

The attacking phase can remain as a standard 4v4 or be adjusted by overloading or underloading the attacking team, depending on the intended tactical outcomes. The focus during the breakout should be on quick transitions and maintaining possession under pressure.

Coaching Notes:

• Quick Passing and Movement: Players in the rondo must focus on maintaining quick, accurate passes and movement off the ball to break down the defender and ensure smooth transition to the attacking phase.

• Transition Focus: As the team breaks out of the grid, emphasize the importance of quick decision-making and exploiting the space created during the transition. The players should aim to quickly reorganize into an attacking shape.

• Attacking Shape: If the team is overloaded or underloaded, ensure they adjust their positioning and use the numerical advantage or compensate for the disadvantage by maintaining compactness and applying pressure in key areas.

• Finishing Focus: Once the attacking phase begins, encourage players to be direct and decisive in their actions, looking to create shooting opportunities quickly or work the ball into dangerous areas.

Progression 1: Increase Pressure on Possession Team:

Introduce more defenders in the rondo (e.g., 4v2 or 4v3) to increase the intensity and pressure on the possession team. This will make the breakout phase more challenging and require quicker passing and decision-making.

Focus: Enhances players’ ability to keep possession under pressure and transitions into attack with speed.

Progression 2: Vary the Breakout Format:

Adjust the attacking phase by either overloading or underloading the attacking team. If overloading, provide more attacking players to emphasize quick build-up play and space creation. If underloading, focus on creating more individual creativity and quick combinations.

Focus: Develops adaptability in transition and encourages players to adapt to different attacking situations.