Patterns

DNA rondo

We set up in an area 20-25 yards by 30-35 yards, depending on outcomes. The DNA rondo is intense, fast and competitive. Players enjoy and celebrate goals, combinations and patterns. We split the group into three teams; one team in possession focusing on ball retention, one team pressing to regain and score in the mini goals and one team resting/outside as bounce players, with one bounce player inside.

We play for 60-90 seconds then rotate. For example, in the first play blues are in possession, reds are defending and greens are outside. In the second play, greens are in possession, blues are defending and reds are outside. And in the third play, reds are in possession, greens are defending and blues are outside. We repeat this three or four times.

We focus on the brilliant basics – release, relieve, retain and regain – alongside key principles or pattern introduction. For example, we might focus on opposite pocket play or switch of play if we felt the opposition defended in one quarter of the pitch.

To start the practice a coach serves the ball to the team in possession. The in-possession team then attack the mini goals [1a]. The in-possession team work on the key patterns.

The coach restarts the game by playing to the in-possession team [1b]. Here the reds intercept, and transition quickly to score.

Play continues, with teams rotating. We run this for nine reps of two minutes.

Additionally, players on the outside can move sides, be tackled and they can react to block/defend the mini goals.

[1a]

1. The coach starts play with a ball to the in-possession team

2. The blues combine with the green team to retain possession

3. The red team defends, seeking to win the ball back and go to goal

[1b]

1. The coach restarts play, playing to the in-possession team
2. The blues continue to combine with the greens
3. The red team defends, seeking to win the ball back and attack the other way
4. The red team defends, seeking to win the ball back and go to any of the four mini goals
   
   

TACTICAL RONDO

The tactical rondo focuses on game plan patterns: Who does what? When? Where? And why? We work 90-120 seconds on and 30-45 seconds off. Each team is given a shape/structure that mirrors the predicted game scenario for the weekend.

We set up 11v11, or 11v10 or 10v10. In a micro version, we work the pictures of build v press in open play and transfer those priority patterns for game solutions into key personal.

We set up in an area 75x35 yards, with mini goals on the corners. The pitch is divided into three zones and players are locked in, four coaches serve the ball into different zones. Each time, play starts from the goalkeeper/server, or the coaches who play into the midfield zone.

The in-possession team runs through various plays, including starting from a build [2a], building vs the press (this might be a 2 or 3, wide trap, central trap, man for man or pendulum press) and balls into midfield back to goal or forward facing [2b], incorporating specific patterns [2c], and exploiting to score [2d]. In this practice I would also work on the pressing plan.

This practice would run for 20-22 minutes. 

[2a]

1. Play starts with a coach serving

2. In this example, the in-possession (the blues) team attack from a build

[2b]

1. The coach restarts play, feeding the blue team

2. In this example, the blues work on building vs the press and midfield runs

[2c]

1. The goalkeeper restarts, feeding the blue team

2. In this example, the blues continue to work on building vs the press and midfield runs, with specific patterns incorporated

[2d]

1. Now the reds are the in-possession team, play starts with the goalkeeper

2. In this example, the in-possession team (reds) work on exploiting to score
   
   

FINISHING RONDO

The finishing rondo enables us as a team to specifically work on our in-possession structure for beating low blocks or our defending shape in our lower block structure. We run this practice 3.5-4 minutes on and 1 minute off, with the coaching taking place during the 1 minute off.

There is high geographical game transfer, and we work in a pressurised, realistic space. We focus on the finish phase of the game and what key patterns or shooting zone priority objectives we’re chasing in that phase of the game for the opposition.

We set up on roughly half a pitch. We have two goalkeepers, two coaches, and two teams of 10 in place. The shooting zones are painted on the grass or flat discs are used, alongside the five lanes. A few examples of this might be one week, the second six-yard box might be open for cut backs, or if you’re playing against a back five you might want to disconnect the wing-back and play into half space, or you might try to target deliveries into the back post.

It’s important to add, every week we would have one or two finishing practices where both the goalkeeper and types of finishes would be profiled and delivered. This is something I use in my role now.

The coach begins by playing the ball to the red centre back. From there, the reds move the ball and blues slide as they do [3a]. In this example, the reds convert [3b].

As a progression you can add a variety of structured starts into this practice eg throw-in, long pass or even a set play.

[3a]

1. The ball starts with the coach who plays to ball to a red centre back
2. The reds move the ball across the lanes
3. The blues press and slide

[3b]

1. The reds navigate into the shooting zone, using movements and patterns of play practised in earlier parts of the session
2. Reds convert

progression and extras

As a progression, once a week we would do an 11v11 game on a -3 within the weekly plan. This would be an opportunity to add in the goalkeeper boxes as reference points to work on goalkeeper restart in the build or box reference points in the high press. In the 11v11 again it would mirror the real game: throw-ins, corners and there would be a structured start in and around the halfway line that a coach would control to enable us to create quick pictures for general open play. The rules are the game, as we would work through the game plan and see what players had retained from the two days’ training before.

coaching points

What are the key things to look out for?

In the sessions during the week, players would often get coaching individually linked to their IDP working aims and objectives: for example, that could be a receiving skill, first touch, body shape or scanning point. This would be a golden thread that I valued, knowing the players well enough to praise, see and understand their individual programme outcomes in the week.