Week 32 Fitness Rondos

Instructions/Setup:

This fitness-focused rondo practice is designed to improve players' overall fitness and defensive work, emphasizing high-intensity pressing. Players will work in teams of two, first moving through an SAQ (Speed, Agility, and Quickness) station to warm up their muscles and increase their agility. Afterward, they will enter a 4 v 2 rondo, where they must work together at high intensity to either win possession or force a mistake from the possession team. Once possession is won, players will split and sprint to smaller 3 v 1 rondos on either side, continuing to press and work to win possession. Defenders need to work cohesively and react quickly after winning the ball, moving out to the next rondo to maintain the intensity.

Coaching Notes:

• Pressing as a Unit – Encourage defenders to press as a cohesive unit, staying compact and working together to force mistakes. Defenders should work on closing down passing lanes and applying pressure to force errors from the attacking team.

• High-Intensity Work – Emphasize the importance of maintaining high intensity throughout the drill, especially when transitioning between the larger and smaller rondos. Players should keep their energy levels high and push through fatigue to maximize fitness and defensive effectiveness.

• Quick Reactions – Defenders must react quickly when possession is won, immediately transitioning into the next rondo and maintaining their defensive responsibilities. Players should work on their speed and agility when switching between attacking and defensive roles.

• Communication – Strong communication between teammates is key to ensuring efficient pressing and ball recovery. Players should constantly talk to each other, calling for passes and directing their positioning to apply effective pressure and win possession.

Progression 1: Increase Pressure

Introduce an additional defender in the 4 v 2 rondo, increasing the pressure on the attacking team to keep possession. This will challenge the defenders to work even harder as a unit, improving their ability to press and react under increased pressure.

Focus: Improve defensive coordination, communication, and fitness under higher levels of pressure.

Progression 2: Add a Time Limit

Introduce a time limit for each rondo, forcing players to win possession or make a successful pass quickly. This will add urgency to the drill, encouraging faster decision-making, quicker transitions, and better overall fitness.

Focus: Develop quick decision-making and high-intensity transitions while improving fitness and pressing capabilities.