Good question - why push to ball carrier to middle?

I knew with my short reply I would be challenged. You are correct - inside our 25 yard area we want the ball to go to the sidelines. If we have possession inside the 25 there is no dribbling or passing allowed to the inside. If the opponent has the ball we try not to allow their ball carrier to go inside. The team that controls the middle is usually the team with the best score at the end. This will never change.

Now, let me clarify. My suggestion for forcing the opponent's ball carrier inside is predicated on the following:
1) Ball is outside our 25 yard area
2) Defender #1 already has cover behind them
3) Defender #1 has another teammate waiting to double team the ball carrier. You force the ball carrier right into that defender. They must give up the ball or lose it.

How many times do you see the opponent's ball carrier keep beating your players along the sideline and then send a precarious cross in to the middle of your goal? If you force them inside you have numbers as Kyle said and their pass into our goal area is much harder for their teammate to control, turn, and shoot.

Watch the professionals inside their 25 yard area when they have cover and the ball carrier is at the sideline. Defender #1 knows his teammate is in waiting and will force the ball carrier inside to that teammate. I do not recommend this for amatuer players.

There will always be differences of opinion on most any post. This is what I teach and it works for us.