For soccer players, it’s essential to see the whole field and understand how to use that vision to make smart decisions. To get this vision, they need to be constantly scanning the field and keeping tabs on where their teammates and opponents are, as well as where the ball is at all times. This is a hard skill, and it's not something you just "have" by nature. Like any skill, you can work at improving your soccer vision!
The idea is, the better you get at scanning the field and understanding whats going on, the better you will get at anticipating where the ball is going, where the space is, where the other players are going, and what opportunities are going to arise on the field. We wrote a blog on how to improve soccer vision in general, but here's some concrete exercises you can pair with the training in the Techne App to take it to the next level.
1: Pick your training
First, you're going to want to choose the training session. In the Wall Work section of the App, you can often find progressions that simulate receiving the ball with pressure on your back or progressions that focus on perfecting the basics. Look for sessions that include turning or are set up with your back to the goal. Any of these sessions can be used alongside the exercise below. Find a session that excites you, and let's go!
2: Study the concept and prepare mentally
If you're training through Wall Work, create a scenario in your mind where you want to know what's behind you and where your teammates are so that you can both protect the ball and know where to take your first touch. The best way to make this game-like is to "scan" or "head check" or "check your shoulder" before receiving the pass against the wall. Make sure you're aware of what's behind you!
If you want to see what this looks like, check out a professional soccer game and you can see how and how frequently they are scanning. Look at the timing of it too!
3: The exercise-get a friend or parent
1. Go through the drills. Make sure to scan each time!
2. Go through the drills again, but now with a friend or parent for an added challenge. Have them stand 5 yards behind where you start with the ball. Before you play it against the wall, have them hold up a number with one hand, 1-5. Make sure to yell what number they are holding up! This will force you to scan with a purpose.
3. Go through the drills again, with a friend or parent. Select 2 names for the 2 cones furthest from the wall. For example: Red/Blue or Cat/Dog. As you are passing against the wall and moving in front of the "defender" have your friend or parent call out one of the cone names. Then you have to react and turn the correct way, out of pressure! Don't forget to scan, too.
4. Go through the drills again, with a friend or parent. For an even bigger challenge, combine both of the above. Have the friend or parent hold up a number 1-5, and also call out a name of a cone.
5. Have fun with it, get creative, and make your own rules to challenge yourself.
6. Try bringing this exercise to your Juggling and Dribbling training as well! It will look a little bit different, but make the adjustments and find how it works for you.
And finally, challenge yourself to make scanning a habit and bring it into your team sessions and games. Enjoy!
