Elite midfielders see the game before anyone else. While technical quality and passing range are crucial, what truly separates players like Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Frenkie de Jong is their ability to scan — to gather information early, interpret the situation, and decide the next action before the ball arrives. Scanning is not an instinct players are born with; it’s a habit built through repetition in realistic, game-like conditions. Below are three practical scanning drills designed to improve a midfielder’s awareness and decision-making.
Why Scanning Matters
Scanning refers to the frequent checking of surroundings before and during play to gather information about opponents, teammates, and space. Players who scan effectively tend to:
- Make faster, more confident decisions
- Keep possession under pressure
- Play forward more often
- Anticipate pressing traps or loose balls
The goal of training scanning is to make awareness automatic. These drills force players to look, decide, and act — linking perception to execution.
Drill 1: The Color Call Rondo
Purpose: Train midfielders to scan before receiving and improve information processing under pressure.
Setup:
- Create a 5v2 or 6v2 rondo in a 12x12m grid.
- The coach stands outside the area holding two colored cones or cards (e.g., red and blue).
How it works:
- During play, the coach holds up one of the colored cones at random moments.
- Before receiving the ball, a player must look up and call out the color that’s being shown.
- If they fail to do so, it counts as losing the ball, and the player changes with a player in the middle to become a defender.
Coaching focus:
- Emphasize head movement before the ball arrives.
- Encourage quick scanning — ideally twice between passes.
- Reward players who recognize colors early and still execute quality passes.
This drill reinforces the habit of checking surroundings before every touch, linking awareness directly to decision-making.
Drill 2: The Two-Target Awareness Game
Purpose: Develops scanning and quick decision-making based on external visual cues.
Setup:
- Use a 20x20m grid with two mini-goals placed on opposite sides.
- Play a 3v3 or 4v4 possession game.
- The coach stands at the side with two colored markers representing each goal.
How it works:
- At the start of each possession, the coach selects one of the two goals as “active.”
- Players can only score in the active goal, but they don’t know which one unless they scan and check which cone the coach holds up.
- The coach changes the active goal at random intervals during the game.
Coaching focus:
- Players must frequently scan toward the coach to see which goal is active.
- Encourage quick reactions when the active goal changes.
- Highlight how awareness impacts attacking direction and spacing.
This drill connects visual awareness directly to tactical decision-making, forcing midfielders to gather information while still maintaining team structure.
Drill 3: The Three-Zone Awareness Game
Purpose: Improve players’ ability to scan across multiple zones and anticipate space during match play.
Setup:
- Divide half a pitch into three vertical zones (left, central, right).
- Play 8v8 or 9v9 with standard goals.
How it works:
- Each time a player receives the ball, they must have scanned both adjacent zones before controlling.
- The coach observes and calls out “yes” or “no” depending on whether the player scanned correctly.
- Teams score normally, but lose possession if a player fails to scan.
Coaching focus:
- Encourage open body shapes that allow players to see two zones at once.
- Freeze play occasionally and ask players to describe what they saw.
- Highlight those who use scanning to play forward quickly.
This game replicates real match situations, where awareness of both sides determines the quality of a midfielder’s next action.
Building the Habit
Scanning is only effective when it becomes a subconscious part of how a player operates. The goal of these drills is not just to improve head-turn frequency, but to connect what the player sees with what they do next.
To make scanning a lasting habit:
- Integrate these cues into everyday rondos and positional games.
- Give players feedback on when they scan, not only how often.
- Use video analysis to show orientation and timing before receiving.
Final Thoughts
Awareness is the foundation of intelligent play. By training scanning consistently and deliberately, midfielders can anticipate situations rather than react to them. Over time, repetition turns scanning from a conscious act into a natural part of how they perceive the game — the mark of a truly complete midfielder.