Scanning & Vision: 3 Drills to Fix “Head Down” Players

Category: Player Development / Cognitive Training Author: F.B (UEFA A Coach)

Introduction

We have all seen it: a talented player receives the ball, but because their head is down, they dribble straight into pressure or miss an easy pass.

In modern football, the game is played in the head before the feet. Top players like Kevin De Bruyne or Sergio Busquets scan the field up to 6-8 times every 10 seconds. This allows them to create a “mental map” of the pitch before the ball even arrives.

As coaches, we cannot just yell “Look up!” We must design training constraints that force the player to look up to succeed. Below are 3 progressive drills to train these essential scanning habits.

Drill 1: The “Color Call” Passing Pattern (Warm-up)

This activity removes the pressure of an opponent but introduces the habit of lifting the eyes before receiving.

• Setup: Players in pairs, 10 yards apart. The feeder holds two different colored cones (e.g., Red and Blue).
• The Action: Player A passes to Player B.
• The Constraint: Before Player B touches the ball, they must look up at the feeder. The feeder will hold up one color. Player B must shout the color (“Red!”) before they control the ball.
• Progression: The feeder holds up a specific number of fingers. Player B shouts the number.

(Insert Image 1 Here) Image Alt Text: Tactical diagram of soccer passing drill where player must identify color of cone before receiving ball.

Drill 2: The “Blind Spot” Rondo (4v1)

This drill progresses the skill by adding a defender and forcing “directional scanning” away from the ball.

• Setup: Standard 10×10 yard grid. 4 Attackers vs 1 Defender.
• The Twist: A coach stands outside the grid, constantly moving around the perimeter (in the players’ blind spots).
• The Rule: To gain a point, a player must complete a pass AND point to where the coach is standing immediately after releasing the ball.
• Why it works: It forces the player to disconnect their eyes from the ball to locate a target in the distance while under pressure.

Drill 3: The “Traffic Light” Possession Game

This final activity is a game-related scenario where scanning is linked to immediate decision-making.

• Setup: 30×30 yard area. 4v4 + 2 Neutrals.
• The Constraint: The Coach stands on the sideline holding colored cones.
  • Green Cone: Free play.
  • Red Cone: Freeze! Everyone must stop immediately.
  • Yellow Cone: All players must sprint to touch a sideline, then return to play.
• The Key: The coach changes the cones silently. Players who are “ball-watching” will miss the signal and react late. This rewards players who are constantly scanning the environment, not just the ball.

FAQ: Coaching Scanning