Every centre pass is an opportunity. You have the ball, you know when it's coming, and you can choreograph your movement. Yet too many teams waste this advantage with predictable, one-dimensional plays that defenders read with ease.
These five centre pass variations will give your attack unpredictability and your shooters better scoring chances.
Play 1: The Traditional Split
The foundation play that every team needs. WA drives hard to the ball-side third line while GA holds then drives to the opposite side. The C chooses based on defensive pressure.
Why it works: Simple, reliable, and difficult to defend when executed with proper timing. The split creates two clear options and forces the defence to commit.
Key coaching point: The WA must sell the drive with intensity. A half-hearted lead gives the defender time to recover.
Play 2: The Flood
Both WA and GA drive to the same side of the court, flooding the ball-side. This overloads one defender and creates a 2v1 situation.
Why it works: The defence must communicate quickly or leave one attacker completely free. Even good communication often results in a favourable matchup.
Key coaching point: The second driver must time their run to arrive as the first receiver catches. Too early and the space is crowded; too late and the advantage is lost.
Play 3: The Hold and Go
WA and GA both hold their starting positions for a full second before exploding into their drives. This patience disrupts defensive timing and creates uncertainty.
Why it works: Defenders are trained to react to movement. When attackers hold, defenders often commit early or become flat-footed. The delayed drive catches them out of position.
Key coaching point: The hold must be genuine stillness, not a slow walk. Both players should be balanced and ready to explode in any direction.
Play 4: The Cross-Court Switch
WA starts ball-side and drives across to the opposite third line. GA does the inverse. The crossing pattern confuses defensive marking and creates separation.
Why it works: Defenders following their marks must navigate around each other. This moment of traffic creates space for the receiver.
Key coaching point: The cross must happen in the centre third, not in the attacking third. Timing is everything - the paths should cross just before the whistle.
Play 5: The Direct Feed
WA clears to the sideline while GA drives hard and fast directly to the C. The first pass goes immediately to GA, who is now in prime position to feed the circle.
Why it works: This aggressive option bypasses the mid-court battle and gets the ball into dangerous territory quickly. It's high risk but high reward.
Key coaching point: The C must be confident in their passing. A weak or telegraphed pass to GA will be intercepted. Commit fully or don't attempt it.
Building Your Playbook
Don't try to install all five plays at once. Start with the Traditional Split as your default. Add one new variation every few weeks until your team has a full repertoire.
The key is disguise. All plays should start with the same positioning. The defence shouldn't know which option is coming until it's too late.
Training Centre Pass Plays
Drill each play in isolation first. Walk through the movement patterns until everyone understands their role. Then add passive defence, then active defence.
Finally, play games where the coach calls the play number just before the whistle. This builds the quick recognition and execution you need on match day.
The Bigger Picture
A varied centre pass attack does more than create scoring chances. It forces the opposition to think, which slows their press and creates hesitation. That mental advantage compounds throughout the game.
Your centre pass is your possession. Make it count.
Where to Go Next
Develop your team's attacking options with these resources:
- Centre Pass Drills - Master your set pieces
- Set Plays - Choreographed attacking patterns
- Session Plans - Complete training sessions
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