Why Scanning Is One of Football's Most Important Skills

Looking Before You Receive

Watch any top player and you'll notice something interesting.

Before they receive the ball, they're constantly looking around.

This is called scanning.

Scanning means checking your surroundings before receiving possession so you know where teammates, opponents and space are located.

Players who scan regularly make better decisions.

Instead of receiving the ball and then looking up, they've already gathered information.

This allows them to:

Scanning can be developed in training and even in small-sided games with friends.

Try challenging yourself to check both shoulders before receiving the ball.

At first it feels strange.

Over time it becomes automatic.

Football is often described as a game of decisions.

The more information you have, the better those decisions become.

Good players react.

Great players prepare.