Scanning is one of the most important and least coached habits a young player can develop. It is the foundation of good decision-making and separates players who understand the game from those who just react to the ball.
To teach young footballers to scan, use simple coaching cues like 'check your shoulder' and design training drills where they must gather information before receiving the ball. Start with simple passing exercises that require a look, then progress to small-sided games where identifying coloured bibs or open teammates is necessary for success. The key is to make looking a required part of the activity, rewarding the scan itself to build a lasting habit.
What Is Scanning in Football?
Scanning is the deliberate action of a player looking around and away from the ball to build a mental map of their immediate surroundings. It’s about gathering information before it’s needed. By repeatedly checking over their shoulder, a player knows where the pressure is coming from, where their teammates are, and where the empty space is. This allows them to make quicker, more effective decisions once they receive the ball.
A player who doesn't scan is playing 'blind'. They only know what's in their immediate line of sight, which is usually just the ball. When it arrives, they have to take a touch, then lift their head to see what's happening. By then, it's often too late. A player who scans already knows their options and can play one or two steps ahead.
At What Age Should Children Start Learning to Scan?
Children can be introduced to the idea of scanning from as early as U8, but the habit is most effectively developed between the ages of 9 and 12. The approach should change with the player's age and understanding.
- **U8-U9 (7v7):** Keep it very simple. The goal is to break the habit of staring only at the ball. Use cues like 'Can you see me?' or 'Picture!' before they receive a pass. The aim is simply to get them to lift their head. Don't overload them with information about what they should be looking for.
- **U10-U12 (9v9):** At this stage, players can start to understand *why* they are scanning. The focus shifts from just 'looking' to 'looking for' something. They should be encouraged to look for pressure (an opponent), space (an empty area), and support (a teammate). The frequency and quality of the scan become more important as the pitch gets bigger and the game gets faster.
What Are Good Drills to Encourage Scanning?
The best drills create a reason for the player to scan; the scan becomes essential to completing the task. Avoid simply shouting 'scan' from the sideline. Instead, design practices where looking is the key to success.
Drill 1: The Colour Game (U9-U10)
- **Setup:** Players work in pairs about 10 metres apart. The coach (or another parent/player) stands a few metres behind the receiving player.
- **Action:** Player A passes to Player B. As the ball is travelling, the coach holds up a coloured cone or bib. Player B must check their shoulder, see the colour, and shout it out before controlling the ball.
- **Why it works:** It forces a head check in the crucial window as the ball is in transit. It provides a simple, measurable goal (naming the colour) that confirms the scan happened.
Drill 2: The Gates Rondo (U11-U12)
- **Setup:** A 5v2 rondo in a 15x15 metre square. Place two small 'gate' goals (two cones a metre apart) on opposite sides of the area.
- **Action:** The attacking team scores 1 point for 5 consecutive passes. They score a 3-point bonus if they can pass through one of the gates to a teammate.
- **Why it works:** This encourages players to look for more than just the easy pass. To get the bonus, players must constantly scan to see where the gates are in relation to the ball and their teammates. The player receiving the ball will scan to see if they can play a first-time pass through a gate, developing their awareness of space and opportunity.
What Parents Can Do to Help
Parental support can be hugely beneficial, but it's important to encourage thinking rather than giving instructions. Your goal is to help your child develop their own game intelligence.
- **Praise the action, not the outcome:** Instead of "Great pass!", try "I saw you have a good look before you got the ball there, well done." This reinforces the process.
- **Avoid sideline shouting:** Shouting "Man on!" or "Check your shoulder!" makes the player reliant on you. They need to learn to find this information for themselves. It becomes noise and adds pressure.
- **Ask curious questions:** After the match, ask things like, "Did you feel like you had much space in midfield today?" or "Was it easy to see where your teammates were?" This prompts them to reflect on what they saw and felt, which is the beginning of awareness.
