Football Scouting

Method

Observation of the Opponents

“TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WEAKNESSES/ELIMINATE THE STRENGTHS”

Mauro Jerónimo - Portugal

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Important notes about the Scouting

Observation of the opponent Away or Home; Number, names and position of

the Squad.

Find a pattern of the Game Model, 3 , 4 or more games of observation (if

possible);

1 observer and other assistant observer (one of them if possible, speak the

country language);

Direct observation (stadium) or Video. If we have both its perfect;

Written resume report for the Head Coach using images as well. Video

resume report for the Players or small written notes about the opponent;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Statistics Data

• Number of games played;

• Defeats;

• Winnings

• Goals Conceded

• Goals Scored

• Age

• Height

• Weight

TOTAL HOME AWAY

• Yellow cards

• Red Cards

• Number of Injured

Players(Who)

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

GAME MODEL OF THE

OPPONENT • Offensive Organization;

• Defensive Organization;

• Defensive Transition(after losing the possession of the ball)

• Offensive Transition( after winning the possession of the

ball);

• Tatical Schemes ( Set Plays(Corner Kicks, Free kicks) Trow

ins);

• Pattern play and Offensive Combinations;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Offensive Organization

• Tactical System used;

• Method of Attack( Counter attack or Organized /Positional attack). Type of pass

short or long. Both.

• Collectivs patterns from de 1ªphase of offensive construction until Finishing;

• Reference Players ;

• Positive and negative points;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Offensive Organization

EXAMPLE: Tactical System image- 1-4-3-3

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents Offensive Organization

Collectivs Patterns 1st phase

EXAMPLE: 1-4-3-3

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Defensive Organization

• Positioning on the field( Low, medium or high block);

• Methods of Defending ( men –men, Zone, Pressuring Zone, Mix);

• Defending Attitude (aggression, passivity);

• Pressure zones and moments of pressure;

• Positive ande negative points;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents Defensive Organization

EXAMPLE: “Alain exposes defense in deep”

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents Defensive Organization

EXAMPLE: “High block and pressure on the sides”

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Defensive Transition(after losing the possession of the ball)

• Behaviour of the team(immediate pressure or recover positions using a

player to delay the attack;

• Positioning mistakes of the team/players;

• If they use technical fouls to stop the attack:

• Open spaces left by the team;

• Positive and negative points;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Defensive Transition(after losing the possession of the ball)

EX: “left side expose, left defender and left wing dont recover at time”

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Ofensive Transition (after winning the possession of the ball)

• Attitude of the team( dynamic, agressive and fast, or prefer to

keep the ball and organize the attack.

• Type of pass (short, direct);

• 1st references players in the transition;

• Goalkeeper transition (fast and direct, or let the team rise and

organize;

• Positive and negative points;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Ofensive Transition (after winning the possession of the ball)

EX: Dynamic with direct

cross to the penalty area

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Tactical Schemes

• Set plays for and against( Corner Kicks, free kicks outside the area,

free kicks from sides;

• Set plays against – Method of defending;

• Set plays for - find patterns of movement and passing; which

players participate; reference players;

• Negative and positive points;

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Tactical Schemes

EX: Set plays against – Positioning in the Corner kick(With short

corner the players are out of positioning)

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Tactical Schemes

EX: Set plays for – movement in the Corner kick- short corner

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Tactical Schemes

EX: Set plays – free kicks for – short and powerfull kick

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents Pattern play and Offensive Combinations;

EX: “ Short build from de goalkeeper”

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents Pattern play and Offensive Combinations;

EX: “ Goalkeeper fast combination with the striker and wing”

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents Pattern play and Offensive Combinations;

EX: “ direct combination in the medfielder, to the striker in deep”

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents

Other informations

• Changes in team behavior during the game if( conceded goal, score, or

substitution).

• Opponent coach information ( past, style of game, is behavior during the

game)

• Some important psychological behavior of some players during the game;

• Individual analyze of the players;

• Pitch size and conditions of the grass;

• Referee information;

• Prediction of climacteric condition;

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear

the result of a hundred battles.”

“If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory

gained will also suffer a defeat”.

“If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will lose

every battle. “ Sun Tzu

Football Scouting

Observation of the Opponents