Rondo activation warm-up

Setup

1. A 10 × 10 m square per group of five: four on the sides, one defender inside.
2. Spare balls at a corner; a bib for the defender.

How it runs

1. Round 1 (90 s): unlimited touches; the defender works at half pace.
2. Between rounds (30 s): leg swings, hip circles and lunges on the line.
3. Rounds 2–4 (60 s each): two touches, defender at full pace.
4. Swap the defender every round so everyone defends once.

Coaching points

• Open body; receive across you with the foot furthest from the defender.
• Check over your shoulder before the ball arrives.
• Move along your line to open a passing angle.

Common mistakes

• The defender sprinting flat out in round one.
• Standing on the corner cones, leaving no angle.