What is a Rondo and why is it so popular?

Rondo is a game, similar to "Piggy in the Middle", that is an important training drill used in modern football.

In a rondo, one group of players is tasked with keeping possession of the ball while completing a series of passes, while a smaller group of players, sometimes a single player, tries to take possession.

Rondos take place in close proximity, with the possessing group often circled around the opposing group. Unlike other possession games, in a rondo, players occupy predetermined positions.

Rondos improve player decision making, coordination, team play, creativity, competitiveness and physical conditioning and are are used by major football organizations including Barcelona and Ajax, and has been credited with remaking the modern game.

The late Dutch legend, Johan Cruyff, a very successful player and coach , implemented the rondo at Barcelona and described the drill thus

"Everything that goes on in a match, except shooting, you can do in a rondo. The competitive aspect, fighting to make space, what to do when in possession and what to do when you haven’t got the ball, how to play ‘one touch’ soccer, how to counteract the tight marking and how to win the ball back."

The following video further explains the importance of Rondo