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3v1 Rondo

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated October 2026

Groups of four in 8x8 grids with spare balls at every grid. Three players keep the ball away from one defender; if the defender touches it, they swap with the player who gave it away. The first rondo called a rondo, for 2nd grade.

Setup

Groups of four in 8x8 yard grids set up next to each other, with spare balls at every grid. Three players keep the ball away from one defender. If the defender touches or wins the ball, they swap with the player who gave it away. When a ball goes out, a new one comes in right away.

Make it easier or harder

• Easier: A 10x10 yard grid.
• Harder: Two touches; six passes in a row is a goal.

Coach’s notes

• If It's Chaos: Defender wins it every time? Make the grid bigger, or have the defender walk.
• Coach Tip: Give the player on the ball two options: one on each side.

Why it works

By 2nd grade the story can fade and the game can stand on its own. This is the same 3v1 square that opens 100 Possession Activities, scaled to seven-year-olds: a bigger grid, a walking defender if it stalls, and spare balls so nobody waits.

Receive on the back foot and support on both sides of the ball. Give the player on the ball two options, one each side, and the rondo runs itself.

Where it sits

This activity is from 2nd Grade · Week 5 · Receive & Keep It in the Full Season Intramural Curriculum for Pre-K to 2nd grade. Every session in the book has the same shape: arrival play, Soccer Island, two or three activities and the game, with two coaching points a day, an easier and a harder version of everything, and a fix for when it turns to chaos.

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Open the activity ›Ages 11+ · Rondos4v1 With a Call

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Open the activity ›Ages 11+ · Rondos4v2 Split

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