Why Teaching Scanning is a Game-Changer in Football Coaching
What research says about the hot topic of football coaching…
- Scanning = Football Intelligence
- The best players don’t just react…they predict!
- Scanning = Checking your surroundings before receiving the ball and generally communicating with the environment
- The more you scan, the faster you think & play
- Most Scans Are FAST – 90% of scans last less than 0.5 seconds!
- You don’t need to stare—just quick looks to gather info
What Should Players Scan For?
- Open spaces
- Opponents’ movements
- Passing options
- Don’t just watch the ball—see the whole picture!
Pros Scan Differently
Elite players scan more when the ball is in the air or moving.
They focus more on opponents than teammates.
Want to improve your players?
Practice scanning under game pressure
Don’t Use Static or Fake Cues
Looking at a coach holding up numbers or colors?
Counting fingers or reading signs during drills?
Dribbling through cones while checking a marker?
These don’t replicate real match situations!
Train Scanning in Real Game Situations
Best ways to train scanning:1v1s & small-sided games (so players must constantly check their surroundings).
Fast decision-making activities (quick passing under pressure).
Checking over your shoulder before receiving the ball (with real defenders, not cones!).
Coaches, Want an Easy Activity for Your Players to Develop Scanning
Tap here to see one that we use
Research credit: Scanning activity of elite football players in 11 vs. 11 match play: An eye-tracking analysis on the duration and visual information of scanningKarl Marius AksumID1*, Lars Brotangen1, Christian Thue BjørndalID1, Lukas Magnaguagno2, Geir Jordet1
