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Free activity · 100 Possession Activities5v2 With a Link
The first rondo with a player in the middle. Four attackers on the sides, one inside as the link, two defenders. A pass through the link and out to a different side is worth two.
Setup
A 12x12 with four attackers on the sides and one attacker inside as the link. Two defenders.
How it works
- A pass into the link and out to a different side is worth two. Around the outside is one.
- The link has two touches; the outside players have three.
- Change the link every minute.
Scoring
First team to 15 points, then swap defenders.
- Link: get off the defender's shoulder and show on an angle.
- Outside: play the link when it is on, not every time.
- Everyone: the second pass is the one that matters.
Make it easier or harder
- Progression 1: The link has one touch.
- Progression 2: Two links inside against three defenders in a 15x15. Links may combine with each other.
Coach’s notes
- If It Stalls: Link marked out of the game? Let the link move outside for a pass and back in.
Why it works
The link is your midfielder in miniature: receive with a defender on your shoulder, play out to a side you were not facing, and show again. Giving that pass two points is what stops the outside players from simply going around.
Change the link every minute, and make sure every player gets the job. The players who look least comfortable in the middle are the ones who need it most.
Where it sits
This is activity 4 of 100 in 100 Possession Activities (Theme 1 · Rondos: Keep It Under Pressure). The book is ten themes of ten rungs each, from a 3v1 square to a full 9v9 transition game, and every activity has its setup, rules, scoring, two progressions, three coaching points and an animated video like the one above.
More like this
Ages 11+ · Rondos3v1 SquareThe first rondo. Three attackers on three sides of a small square, one defender inside, two touches and five passes for a point.
Open the activity ›
Ages 11+ · Rondos4v1 With a CallA 4v1 rondo where the receiver has to call a number shown by a helper before the first touch.
Open the activity ›
Ages 11+ · Rondos4v2 SplitFour attackers on the sides of a 10x10, two defenders inside working as a pair.
Open the activity ›All ten rungs of this theme, and nine more themes
100 Possession Activities is a 115-page PDF with 100 animated MP4 videos: rondos, playing out from the back, through the lines, support, switching, overloads, movement, timing, counter-pressing and counter-attacks. Print the page, watch the clip, run the session.