GTS Football Coaching: Maximising Your Football Potential - Scanning as a Skill

Scanning means looking around before you get the ball so you know what’s happening on the pitch. Good players don’t just look at the ball — they check their surroundings to see where their teammates, opponents, and open spaces are. By scanning, you can decide what to do before the ball even reaches you — whether to pass, turn, or move into space. Great players like Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modrić scan all the time so they’re always one step ahead. When you practice scanning, try to look around every few seconds, keep your head up, and use quick glances over both shoulders. The more you scan, the more confident and smart you’ll become on the pitch!