Great dribblers and powerful shooters capture attention, but tactical intelligence separates good players from great ones. At every level—grassroots to professional—footballers must read the game, anticipate actions and make quick decisions. Scanning, the act of looking away from the ball to gather information, lies at the heart of tactical awareness and decision‑making. Teaching kids to scan and decide early not only elevates their individual performance but also helps them contribute to team play. This article explores what scanning is, why it matters, and how parents and coaches in Bangalore can develop this crucial skill through age‑appropriate drills and habits.
What is scanning?
Football psychologist Geir Jordet describes scanning as “looking away from the ball, with the intention to gather information that can then be used when I later engage with the ball”. Scanning allows players to assess space, teammates, opponents and possible options before receiving the ball. Jordet’s research spans more than 250 professional players and 200 elite youth players. He found that the best players look at the game rather than constantly watching the ball, which helps explain why many top midfielders are extraordinary scanners.
Why scanning matters for decision‑making
The timing and frequency of scans are directly linked to performance. Jordet’s studies reveal that high scan frequency—quick and repeated glances around the field—is associated with higher pass completion rates and more progressive passes. Elite players scan between teammates’ touches; they check the ball when it moves and scan the field when it’s between touches. Eye‑tracking research shows most scans last less than 0.7 seconds and rarely involve prolonged staring. Scanning alone isn’t enough; the player must process the information and convert it into action, making scanning a portal to more complex cognitive operations. Players in all positions—attackers, midfielders and defenders—benefit from scanning, though midfielders tend to scan more often because they act as conduits between defence and attack.
Critically, scanning can be trained. Jordet notes that it’s easy to increase scan frequency, while improving perception and subsequent actions takes more time. Starting early is important; just as children learn to look both ways before crossing the road, they can learn to look left and right before receiving a pass. Effective training involves game‑based activities where scanning is necessary for success, so players perform many relevant repetitions.
Age‑appropriate approaches to scanning and decision‑making
Children develop cognitive and physical abilities at different rates. Aligning scanning training with their developmental stage helps keep learning fun and safe:
- Ages 6–9: Focus on exploration and awareness. Encourage kids to “shoulder check” (quickly glance around) before receiving the ball. Use simple games like tag, where players must watch for teammates and space while dribbling. Youth training guidelines emphasise that sessions for this age group should prioritise fundamental movement skills and fun. Keep instructions simple and praise effort.
- Ages 9–12: Introduce structured activities that require scanning and simple decisions. Small‑sided games like 3v3 and 4v4 force players to find space and look for teammates. In rondo (keep‑away) drills, add coloured cones or numbered gates; players must call out the colour or number behind them before receiving a pass, reinforcing the habit of looking around. Coaches should begin discussing why scanning helps decision making.
- Ages 12–14: Increase tactical complexity. Incorporate exercises where players must scan for multiple options, such as identifying two possible passes before receiving. Combine scanning with physical demands—e.g., scanning while performing quick turns or after a sprint—to mimic game intensity. Training programmes for this age emphasise controlled strength work and a balance of technical and cognitive challenges.
- Ages 14+: Emphasise speed of thought and advanced tactical awareness. Use 7v7 or 8v8 games to challenge players to manage wider spaces and more variables. Encourage them to scan between every touch and to communicate information (e.g., “man on” or “turn”) to teammates. Introduce video analysis or apps that track scanning frequency for deeper understanding.
Sample drills to develop scanning and decision‑making
- Colour call and receive. Set up four coloured cones around a square. A passer stands in the middle; the receiving player starts at one side, checks a cone behind them (scanning), calls out the colour, then receives the pass and returns it. Rotate positions. This drill reinforces turning the head to gather information before controlling the ball.
- Numbered rondos. In a typical rondo, assign numbers to four corners. Players in possession must announce the number of the corner they will pass to, requiring quick scanning and decision making. Add a rule that players must complete a certain number of passes before switching to another corner.
- Transition game. Play 4v4 on a small field with two end zones. When a team wins possession, they must quickly transition by scanning for support and playing a forward pass into the end zone. Emphasise the importance of scanning immediately after the turnover.
- Shoulder‑check warm‑up. Before training or matches, ask players to jog around the field and shout out the number of fingers you hold up behind them. This simple exercise habituates players to glance over their shoulder while moving.
Encouraging scanning habits at home and on the touchline
Parents play a vital role in reinforcing scanning habits. During backyard or park play, remind children to look up before receiving a throw or pass. Watch professional matches together and point out players who constantly move their heads to scan; ask your child what options the player might be seeing. Celebrate attempts to scan and decide, even if mistakes occur. Avoid overcoaching or criticising; the goal is to build confidence and awareness.
Holistic development: linking scanning to the bigger picture
Scanning and decision‑making are part of the broader Four‑Corner model of development, which includes technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects. A child who masters scanning will still need technical skills to execute decisions, physical fitness to reach positions in time, and mental resilience to adapt under pressure. Coaches should integrate scanning exercises with technical drills (e.g., first touch, passing) and physical conditioning, ensuring that no component is trained in isolation.
In Summary
Developing tactical intelligence in young footballers requires more than teaching them how to dribble or shoot. Scanning—the habit of looking away from the ball to gather information—forms the foundation of smart decision making. Research shows that high scanning frequency correlates with better passing and progressive play. Scanning can be trained through age‑appropriate games, simple drills and consistent habits. By encouraging children to scan early and integrating scanning into small‑sided games and training sessions, parents and coaches in Bengaluru can help young players develop the tactical awareness needed to thrive on the pitch. Combined with strong technical skills, physical conditioning and psychological support, scanning is a powerful tool for building more intelligent footballers.