Centering Practice

After observing various practice matches I found that the team's soccer playing skills and experience were just not enough. They need to create and image of the steps (play) that follow after the ball is passed (thinking ahead). That is the purpose of this drill.

Focus of Centering drill
Playing/ attacking wide to the wings with very light pressure from the defending team in the beginning.

Centering drill information
Start this centering practice session by keeping the players bound to their area of play. All balls are played wide, either to the left or to the right. When the ball is played to the wings, the defending team will apply light pressure. However, the attacking team should be allowed to make a run toward the number 2 area and loop the ball into the penalty area. At the beginning of this drill, the focus is just on creating confidence for the attacker with the ball when a defending player is nearby.

In front of the goal the defending team will apply slight pressure and try to prevent a goal with minimal physical contact. In case the attacking team is unable to control the ball the defending team turns offensive and plays the ball to their wings to try score a goal on the opposite site. Players of both teams form pairs on the wings and rotate after each play. After a goal is scored, the keeper plays the ball to one of the defenders who then choose to play directly play to the wings or to a midfielder.

Centering drill advise

• Increase the amount of pressure after a number of plays. When they seem to have a clear image, remove all restrictions and allow the play with full defending contact.
• Players on the side rotate in pairs A and B after they made a play.
• All attacks should come from the side and played into the penalty area from the number 2 area. when defense is too strong the ball could be played wide to the other side to attempt an attack from there.
• Defenders and midfielders should minimize dribbling with the ball and pass quickly.