2v1 Attacking Rondo
Two attackers keep the ball from one defender, then pass to their teammate next door — and the passer follows the ball to keep the numbers up.
Playing with a numbers-up advantage is what makes possession work — good passing, receiving, and opening up space to find the free teammate at the right moment.
Set up · 3 actions · before the kids arrive
- Grab: Cones, pinnies for the two defenders, and a ball per group.
- Build: Build two 10-by-10-yard squares side by side, sharing one edge.
- Place: Two attackers and one defender in one square; one attacker and one defender in the other. Ball starts with the pair.
Show me the setup picture
One thing to remember: Passing, receiving, and keeping possession in a numbers-up situation — and creating space to exploit at the right moment.
How it runs — the whole game in one sentence
The two keep the ball from one defender, then find the lone attacker next door — the passer follows the pass, and a new 2v1 starts in that square.
1Organize the players▾
Coach does
Split into groups of five — three attackers, two defenders in pinnies. Two attackers and a defender in one square, one of each next door.
Coach says
Two attackers and a defender here — one of each next door. Ball starts with the pair.
2Show the jobs▾
Coach does
Walk one sequence — the pair keeps it from their defender; the lone attacker next door keeps making runs to get free; when the pass goes over, the passer follows it in.
Coach says
Pair — keep it, then find your teammate next door. Passer — follow your pass. Next door — keep moving to get free.
3Play▾
Coach does
Let the pattern run — 2v1, pass across, follow, new 2v1. Keep the emphasis on clean passing and receiving.
Coach says
Keep it moving — when the window opens, play it across and go!
Look for: Attackers creating space before the pass — the lone attacker working free, not standing and waiting.
4Switch and repeat▾
Coach does
Let the game flip itself — when the defenders win the ball, they hold possession and the attackers work to win it back, then the 2v1 pattern starts again.
Coach says
Defenders — won it? Now you keep it! Attackers — win it back.
If it's not working
If the passes keep dying, walk the squares a few steps bigger while they play — more room buys the pair time — then bring them back in.
Want to go deeper? Optional — not needed to run the game.
Why are we doing this?
What are they learning?
How can I change it?
Easier: Make the squares bigger.
Harder: Move up in numbers — 3v2 and 2v2, or 4v3 and 3v3 — in bigger squares.
Next: 2v1 and 1v1 Possession Game — the same two squares, now with a pass count to earn the ball across.