How to Scout a Soccer Team

Key Players

It is helpful to know the top two or three players on an opposing team’s as their position will likely have a big impact on the flow of the game. A central midfielder will put pressure on the heart of your team, with your central midfielders needing to be aware and track forward runs when defending. A forward will require your center backs to remain alert and constantly communicate as she runs in and out of a players zone. A wide midfielder will isolate a full back in 1 v 1 matchups and you may need to match up a strong defender or provide defensive cover from a center back as to not expose a player and set them up for failure. If the opposition has a strong defender you may choose to attack around the player. A team strong in central defense may mean you choose to get the ball wide and play through your wingers, or a team with a weak side may mean you attack that side primarily. It is important to remember that soccer is a fluid game and game plans are more suggestions than scripted. A weak left defender does not mean every single attack goes there, this will make you predictable. It merely means your players know a favorable matchup and learn when to take advantage of it. You may choose to match up your strongest players man for man against the opposition strength.

System of play

The formation and system of play a team uses could influence your approach to a game. If the opposition plays with three forwards you should be aware of this as your full backs will be more directly involved with covering the forwards, and if the opposition plays one forward it is a good idea to push your full backs high overlapping. This leaves enough numbers back to cover the forward, and also occupies the opposition wingers in a defensive role, leaving the lone forward isolated.

It is also helpful when preparing your defensive schemes to know what style the opposition likes to play. A team that builds up play with patient possession play will require you to put pressure on them, a direct long ball team requires your defenders to constantly be aware of the space behind them, and to give a one yard cushion if necessary to not be beaten in behind.

Individual Players

Scouting individual players can help you develop a plan to play against them. The physical attributes of a player may be something that must be matched up with. A strong and tall attacker must be matched up with a strong and tall defender or as close as your team can manage. Likewise if a player is fast you as a coach do not want one of your players to be outmatched. A faster player may also require the use of a sweeper to cover, or train defenders to give a yard cushion to not easily be beaten in behind.

Knowing the habits of a players also help a team prepare. Wingers may have the ability to cross the ball effectively from 30 yards out, or may need to get to the byline to be effective. Wingers who can cross from further out must be pressured at all times in the attacking zones. Knowing if a player prefers to use his left or right foot can also be useful, defenders can pressure from one side and try to force the opponent onto his weaker foot. Goalkeepers and defenders must also know if a player has shooting range. A player who can score from 25 to 30 yards out must be put under pressure at all times when attacking.

When attacking, you can look to see if defenders are weak in the air, or prone to be beaten off the dribble. Is there a lack of speed that can be exploited with a through ball?

Action Plan

• Watch an opposing team before you play them when possible. Use a pen and paper to take notes of habits or relevant points.
• Mention points of relevance to team in practice.
• Rehearse attacking patterns or defensive patterns you think will be effective.
• Mention during scrimmage the game plan and coach good decisions.