Learn to scan like a pro - Practice

WHY USE IT

This practice allows players to see the importance and effect of scanning in a realistic game, with goals, designated formations and positions. The set-up enables early success, before adding a greater challenge.

The game also allows teams to work on midfield rotation and timing of movement to receive.

SET-UP

Set up a three-quarter sized pitch (depending on numbers), separated into thirds, with each third divided by a ‘safe zone’. Divide players into two equal teams - each team should play with an overload in their defensive third and with equal numbers in the midfield third (for example 1–3-3-2, or 1-2–3-1, depending on numbers).

HOW TO PLAY IT

Set your two teams up in their formations. The two ‘safe zones’ should be clear of players. Normal game rules apply, but players can only advance the ball into the next third (from defence to midfield, or midfield to attacking third) via a player from the more advanced third dropping into the ‘safe zone’ to receive the ball.

That player can then travel into their third with the ball, or pass it in. To start with, the team out of possession cannot enter the ‘safe zone’.

Players from the team in possession cannot wait for more than a couple of seconds in the ‘safe zone’ without receiving possession. This encourages good timing of movement and midfield rotation.

TECHNIQUE

Players need to time their movement to receive possession and look to receive with an open body, while scanning to determine the position of opponents, their own team-mates and the space available.

Those passing the ball should send a message with the pass – effectively telling the receiver whether they can turn, should play backwards or protect the ball.

With older or more advanced groups, this small-sided game also presents an opportunity to work on rotations of a midfield three, as one midfielder could drop into the ‘safe zone’, dragging a defender out, before rotating with a second midfielder who then drops in to receive the ball.

ADAPTATIONS

Progress the session by allowing a defender to follow an attacking player into the ‘safe zone’ to present more of a challenge, or make the ‘safe zone’ smaller to challenge players’ timing of movement.

For advanced players, or those you want to encourage to be more creative, a further condition could be that once players receive the ball in the ‘safe zone’, they cannot play backwards.