4v2 narrow

Posted2025-07-17

Updated2025-07-26

By205 Academy

Video

Description

The activity is structured as a “classic” rondo, with four players occupying positions on the edge of a grid and two central players acting as defenders. The outside players attempt to maintain possession using a combination of movement, passes, and misdirection.

What distinguishes this activity from other rondos is the shape of the grid. Most rondos are structured using a square. In this instance, the grid is structured as a narrow rectangle. The size of the grid is dependent on the age and abilities of the players. A length-to-width ratio between 2-to-1 and 4-to-1 is ideal for creating the activity’s challenges and desired learning experiences. An example would be a length of 12 yards and a width of 4 yards.

The end-to-end length of the field is 2-3x larger than width

The challenge for the players in possession is to find combinations of play to go around opponents blocking space through the recognition of movements to support and quick progressions of the ball. Given the width of the space, it is unlikely but not impossible to play passes end-to-end. The basic objective for the defending central players is to delay the ball on one end, prevent balls played behind or through, and look for moments to isolate the player in possession to win the ball.

Defenders try to compress field (shaded area), prevent balls around or through to opposite end

In the context of an overall training session to game model approach, the activity is best slotted as reflecting a specific tactical situation, but with specific learning opportunities for the defenders. This makes it suitable for players at a variety of developmental levels.

Scoring

A common version of this type of rondo requires the exterior player who loses the ball to a defender to switch positions—the outside player goes inside, and the inside player goes outside.

To create a scoring system with six players, the activity can be organized into teams of 2, each rotating through the defending position after a certain amount of time. For each round, the players in possession (consisting of 2 of the three teams of 2) receive a point for each end-to-end pass. A direct end-to-end pass counts for 3 points. To win the game, a team of 2 must allow the fewest through passes during its turn in the middle.

Shaded players form a 3rd “team of 2” – rotate each team through defensive role

Progressions/Adjustments

The progressions in the activity involve touch and pass count restrictions.

A touch count restriction allows players in possession a maximum number of touches. In most cases, with no restriction, players will use no more than three passes. Common restrictions are maximum-2-touch or maximum-1-touch. A 2-touch restriction is a common progression in a rondo, requiring players to identify the next pass before receiving the ball. A 1-touch restriction can be difficult as it requires the receiver to have the correct body shape and technique to receive and play. It also requires a quality delivery from the passer so the receiver can successfully play their 1-touch pass.

A pass count restriction allows a maximum number of passes starting from one end before the ball must be received at the other end. For example, a pass restriction might allow only 3 passes before a switch. This restriction puts urgency on the outside players to find some manner to break the defenders’ pressure and progress the ball.

An alternative progression/adjustment is to modify the rules when the defenders win the ball. In this situation, the player who lost the ball must immediately enter the grid and try to recover the ball from the 2 defenders. The defenders (now in possession) attempt to keep the ball. When the player who has entered the grid recovers the ball, they must play it out to one of their 3 teammates on the exterior of the grid and return to their position. A scoring adaptation with this rule could be to award a point to the defenders for every (for example) 5 passes completed. This progression develops an urgency and incentive to immediately pressure and recover a lost ball and for the defenders to adjust shape to maintain possession.

Pass attempted between Red, intercepted by Blue

Blue spreads out to maintain possession, Red player enters to pressure and recover ball

On regaining possession – Red player passes to outside teammate, resumes position at edge of grid

An alternative version of this progression requires the defenders – when gaining possession – to attempt to exit the grid on any side with the ball under control. In this scenario, the outside player who lost the ball must still enter the grid to challenge. The two defenders – now in possession – must carry the ball over one of the four edges within a time or pass constraint (for example, a limit of 3 passes).

What we like about this activity

Although this rondo may initially appear to be a trivial change to the “classic” rondo, the narrow shape imposes challenges on the team in possession and provides coaching opportunities for the defenders.

The square rondo that coaches often use does not impose a clear sense of directionality on the activity. A pass in any direction is the same as a pass in any other direction—the point is to keep the ball as a technical challenge for the attackers or to win the ball as a tactical challenge for the defenders.

As noted below, the placement of the rondo in a “channel” immediately forces a relationship to the game and provides clarity in relating the activity to the full-size game and team tactics. For example, “we are trying to play from our 6 to our 9 using our 8 and 10 against a flat-4 midfield.”

The activity is highly suited to teaching concepts of pressure-cover (1st and 2nd defender) for midfielders and forwards. The narrow pitch and directionality provide an inherent tactical advantage to the defenders. To succeed, they must work as a unit, recognize the switch of roles as the ball moves (relatively) side-to-side, and reorganize when the ball is played to the opposite end.

1st (1) and 2nd (2) defenders implement pressure-cover

Relationship to the game

As noted earlier, the activity reflects a scenario in which a narrow space is available to progress the ball, and defenders must be either moved (creating a direct passing window) or played around to break lines. Alternatively, the team’s attacking tactics (either by philosophy or in response to a game situation such as score, time, etc.) require a direct style of play, demanding that the ball be played into the feet of an advanced player.

4v2 narrow scenario in full game

From the defensive standpoint, the activity can reflect a situation of high-pressure to prevent play through the central channel

Coaching points

Attackers on the ends

As a first option for receiving the ball, play to the opposite end if and only if the space is available.

Split is available, teammate is dropping after change of possession

An option is to play a first-time ball through upon receiving a ball from one of the two wing players, if their defender has overcommitted, leaving their back open for a pass behind them and through the middle of the grid.

Combination of play “behind” defenders

When passing the ball to a wing player, recognize the difference between playing it to their “front” or “rear/back” foot. If we play to their front foot, we want them to play a quick ball to the opposite edge. If we play to the back foot, it will be difficult for them to turn and advance the ball. In this case, we need to provide an immediate option for them to pass back to.

Attackers on the wings

The positioning of these players is critical to advancing the ball around the defenders. We expect these players to be as high up the field as possible while in a position to receive the ball. In other words, we want them to be on the same line as the defenders.

Highlighted wing player positioned even with defensive line (solid) to allow for progression of ball

These players must constantly move and adjust their positions to off-balance the defenders (possibly creating a direct passing window for the end players) and be available to receive the ball.

Ideally, the players’ body positions should be “open,” roughly parallel to the field’s length. This position allows them choices when receiving the ball—either play back to the end, across the field to the opposite edge, or preferably to the opposite end.

Highlighted wing player “open” to field, feet parallel to line

A “closed” body position relative to the end limits choices due to the time required to receive, turn, and face the opposite end. If the wing players take too much time on the ball when trying to progress it, the narrow width of the channel favors the defenders.

Defenders

The tactical direction for the defenders is to delay rather than overcommitting and getting beaten either around or through. The defenders must simultaneously prevent passes to the front foot of the wing players (which would allow them to play around the defenders and to the opposite edge) and direct passes from end to end. A body shape angled “open” to the field is a best practice. In short, the defenders should be willing to allow passes in front of them – between the end player and the two wings – rather than overplay a pass and allow the ball to go behind them.

Positioning of defender allows passes in the highlighted area, denies the opposite wing or through ball

A trigger to press an attacker is a poor touch. When this occurs, the nearest defender should quickly move in to prevent any pass with their partner (the 2nd defender) sliding laterally to prevent any possible wide pass to relieve pressure.

Communication is an important element of the defensive role. The use of common terms – “I go”, “step”, “take them left/right”, “I’ve got cover”, “delay”, “press”, “switch” – can greatly simplify the task and improve overall success. In addition, communication between the players can improve commitment, enthusiasm, and resliency.

Adjust for numbers

The activity is effectively designed for six players. Adjusting the numbers significantly alters the challenges for each of the roles. One possibility is to place a player at one end, the other, or both ends, if we need to include 7 or 8. In this case, the players at the ends would not be allowed to pass to each other. Because the grid is narrow, the inclusion of these players does not substantively change the activity or learning experiences.

Activity with 8 players, highlighted players added at ends

Summary

The 4v2 narrow rondo presents interesting and unique learning experiences for players compared to the “classic” square rondo. A narrow grid imposes directionality, which relates directly to full-size game scenarios. The wing players are challenged to move in relation to the ball position and create body shapes that facilitate the ball’s movement around the defenders. The activity provides opportunities for the defenders to develop fundamental communication, technical, and tactical skills. It can be used as an activation activity or with a scoring system that creates challenge and competition. Simple progressions increase the technical and tactical challenges of the game. The 4v2 narrow rondo can serve as an excellent introductory activity in a session designed around positional play, midfield tactics, or defending third buildout among other possibilities.