The Impact of Scanning on Football Performance: How to Master This Essential Skill

Scanning is one of the most crucial skills in football, yet it’s often overlooked. But when we look at the world’s top players like Xavi, Messi, and Thomas Müller, it’s clear that scanning is a key factor in their success. These players aren't just physically gifted—they excel at understanding the game around them in real-time, processing information, and making quick, intelligent decisions. So, how can you elevate your game by improving your scanning? Here's how.

What is Scanning?

In football, scanning refers to the process of looking up and around to understand the positions of teammates, opponents, and available spaces on the pitch. The best players, like Messi (who made over 6,000 successful passes in the 2022/2023 season alone), spend a significant portion of their time scanning the field, absorbing as much information as possible to make the best decision. This happens in a fraction of a second.

Players like Thomas Müller, known for his ability to "read" the game, often make key decisions in under a second after scanning their environment. Scanning gives players the vision to adjust their play based on immediate information.

Why Is Scanning So Important?

Scanning isn't just about avoiding mistakes (though that’s certainly a benefit). It's about being proactive, creating opportunities, and dictating the tempo of the game. Research shows that top players like Kevin De Bruyne average 10 key passes per game, largely due to their ability to scan the field and execute passes that break defensive lines.

Awareness can make the difference between conceding an easy goal or scoring one. In fact, according to Opta, 70% of successful counter-attacks in the 2023 Premier League started with a player who had excellent awareness of their surroundings. Scanning allows you to avoid defensive mistakes, such as forgetting an attacker behind you, and to spot opportunities to exploit space.

When Should You Scan?

The key to successful scanning is timing. You should always scan before receiving the ball, not after. According to a study by the German Football Association, players who scan in the 1-2 seconds before receiving the ball make 20% better decisions compared to those who scan after receiving it.

By scanning when the ball is coming to you, you prepare yourself to make quicker, more accurate decisions. For example, if you're a midfielder, scanning before receiving a pass helps you decide whether to play it short or look for a long-range pass to exploit space on the wings.

How Often Should You Scan?

Scanning isn’t just for when you have the ball—it's an ongoing process. Players like Lionel Messi, who averages 12.4 dribbles per 90 minutes, scan the field constantly to find openings. This includes scanning when off the ball, where you look for movement from teammates, or assess the positions of your opponents to gauge your next move.

A study from the UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum found that elite players scan the pitch at least 7 times per minute—both with and without possession of the ball. Non-elite players, in comparison, typically scan only 2-3 times per minute.

This difference highlights the importance of scanning as a continuous process, both for defensive positioning and creating offensive opportunities.

How Can I Train Scanning?

Improving your scanning is all about building habits and developing game intelligence. Here's a breakdown of how you can get better:

• Level 1: Build the Habit of Scanning The first step is simply to build the habit of scanning. Research from the British Journal of Sports Science shows that consistent practice leads to the development of muscle memory. For example, a player who always checks their surroundings before receiving a pass will have better decision-making in games.

  
  

Try using reminders, like writing the word "SCAN" on your wrist during training. This keeps the habit fresh in your mind, even when you’re fatigued or distracted.

• Level 2: Improve Information Processing Once you’ve built the habit of scanning, the next step is processing the information you gather. Studies show that elite players take just 1.5 seconds to process what they see after a scan. To get better at this, practice scanning for specific things (e.g., where your teammates are, where opponents are pressing you, and open spaces to exploit).

  
  

One way to improve this is by setting up training exercises where you pass to a teammate who holds up a sign or points in a direction. Based on their signal, you then have to make a decision. As you get better, increase the difficulty to include more signs or options to process.

• Level 3: Use Information Smartly Now that you can scan effectively, the final step is using the information to make smarter decisions. Developing game intelligence is key here. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, who have high game intelligence, can predict an opponent’s next move and make decisions accordingly.

To enhance your decision-making, study professional games. Watch how top players use scanning to read the game, anticipate where the ball will go, and choose the best options.

You can also review your own game footage to see if you missed scanning opportunities or could have made a different decision. This feedback loop is invaluable for improving your decision-making.

Key Takeaways

Scanning is the foundation of decision-making in football, and when mastered, it separates the great players from the good. By scanning regularly, processing information quickly, and using it to make smart decisions, you can improve your play and elevate your game to the next level.