Download Arc Of The Back 4 Rondo: Part 2 By

Arc Of The Back 4 Rondo: Part 2 By: paul bright
(https://app.thecoachingmanual.com/articles/guide-5768158526832640)
Published On: 07-10-2016
The Second Instalment Of ‘Arc Of The Back 4’ Develops The Rondo To 8v5 And 9v9 Practices To Further Establish The
Connections Between The Back 4 And The Midfield And Attacking Units.
8v5 Arc Of The Back 4 Rondo
Set Up
Area 40x25 divided in to four zones (20x12.5), numbered 1 to 4, to provide reference points for the players involved in
the session.
8 x Attackers (Blue) positioned along the lines or inside the area against 5 x Defenders (Reds) inside the area, with only 2
x Defenders allowed in a zone (20x12.5) at any one time to defend.
Centre Backs (Blue 4 and 5) can play along the length of their 12.5 yard designated line and can also move inside zones 1
and 2 when the Full Backs advance along the lines of zones 3 and 4 (beyond the halfway line).
Full Backs (Blue 2 and 3) can play along the length of their 40 yard line, and Centre Forward (Blue 9) plays along the
length of the 25 yard line. Midfielders (Blue 6, 8 and 10) can play anywhere in the 40x25 area and Blue 8 and 10 cannot
occupy the same zone.
Task
Blue Team (Attackers): Maintain positions and possession of the ball with the emphasis on adopting shapes to advance
from Centre Backs (Blue 4 and 5) in zones 1 and 2 to zones 3 and 4 to pass to the Centre Forward (Blue 9), utilising the
Full Backs (Blue 3 and 3) and Midfielders (Blue 6, 8 and 10).
Red Team (Defenders): If the ball is won, maintain possession 5v3 and attempt to dribble or pass the ball to Centre
Forward (Red 9) over the opposition’s defensive end line (Centre Back line).
Key Coaching Points
Positioning of Back 4 to provide arc shape and advance up the pitch from zones 1 and 2 through to zones 3 and 4
Support play of Midfielders to release the Full Backs and provide balance to switch play
Centre Backs advance as the ball moves forwards to maintain shape and provide passing options behind ball and
defensive security
Detail
Decision making of player in possession - penetrate, play around or retain possession
Body angle to receive the pass and play forwards
Receiving areas of foot or body
Angles, distances and areas of structure to penetrate effectively and patiently
Understanding slow and quick play through the zones to exploit space on opposite side
Timing of passes - ‘La Pausa’
Use the 3 passing lines (in front of Defenders, around the Defenders and through the Defenders) to create opportunities
to penetrate the opposition and advance forwards utilizing the Full Backs
Passing options around, behind and ahead of the ball
Communication
Focus - Building From The Back
With the Centre Back (Blue 5) in possession on the end line of zone 1, the blue team attempt to build from the back as
the Full Backs (Blue 2 and 3) advance forwards and provide width to the attack whilst giving a passing option around the
Defenders.
The Pivot (Blue 6) drops in to receive whilst also staying central to provide balance and an option to switch play, and
Central Midfielder (Blue 8) also moves in to zone 1 to draw in the opposition Defenders and create space to attack
through zones 2 and 4.
As the Centre Back (Blue 5), Left Back (Blue 3) and Centre Midfielder (Blue 8) combine in zone 1, the Defenders (Red 8
and 9) attempt to press the ball and Red 6 is drawn to the edge of zone 3 to restrict the blue team playing forwards.
The Pivot (Blue 6) receives centrally to switch play out to the Right Back (Blue 2) in zone 2, who can then exploit the
space and play forwards to Blue 10 in zone 4. This situation highlights how a team can build out from the back by
drawing the opposition into an area of the pitch, in this case zone 1, to then capitalize on the space created in zone 2.
Focus - Back 4 Shape In Attack
Once the ball has been played into zone 3 or 4, the Centre Backs (Blue 4 and 5) can move off their end line and into
zones 1 and 2. This allows the back 4 to maintain the ‘arc’ shape as the Full Backs (Blue 2 and 3) advance further
forwards to support the attack and overload wide areas, whilst the Centre Backs offer support and passing options
behind the ball to rebuild or switch play.
In the above scenario, Blue 10 is in possession of the ball in zone 4 and has options to pass wide to the Right Back (Blue
2) to find the Centre Forward (Blue 9), or may play centrally to the Pivot (Blue 6) to play through zone 3 to Blue 9.
Progression - 9v9 Arc Of The Back 4 Rondo Game
As the Back 4 (Blue 2, 3, 4 and 5) demonstrate they can take up positions to build out from the back and advance into
the attacking half, the Rondo can be progressed into a 9v9 Rondo game, allowing the back 4 to connect with the
Goalkeeper, the Midfield unit and a Centre Forward without restrictions.
Set Up
Pitch 60x40 with goal and Goalkeeper at each end. Blue team set up in a GK-4-3-1 formation and Red team in a GK-4-22. Players allowed to move anywhere in the area.
The task is for the Blue team to recognize when to utilize the arc shape across the back 4 unit in order to maintain
possession, advance up the pitch, create space to exploit, and produce goal scoring opportunities.
The Goalkeeper can also support and dictate the position of the back 4 when the team have the ball.
To Conclude…
Developing you back 4’s understanding of positions and shape when in possession of the ball will support your team’s
ability to build play from the back and support your team in attack whilst providing defensive security and options to
switch play.