Learn the 5 things you have to do to get scouted in football. With advice from real soccer scouts.
How do I get scouted?
Did you ever wonder, why are people getting scouted in football and not me? You’re not alone.
Catching the attention and impressing a soccer scout is only the beginning.
In only 5 minutes, you’re finally going to learn:
- How to get scouted in football?
- What are soccer scouts looking for in for position?
- At what age can I get scouted?
We’ve got you covered, is actually way simpler than you think. Let’s get into it!
WHAT ARE FOOTBALL SCOUTS?
Football scouts are the connection between unsigned soccer players and clubs. Their job is to seek players with talent which can be a good fit for a specific club.
There are three types of scouts:
- Scouts for clubs. This is the most common type of scout. They know the ins and outs of the club they work for so they can find the perfect type of player that can benefit the club and the squad.
- International scouts. These scouts work for the international squads and their job is to recruit already signed talent for their specific country. Once you shine in your new club these scouts can be the big step for you to play for your international country squad. Could you imagine playing for your country?
- Scouts for agencies. Sometimes they are the agents themselves and other times they work for agencies. Their job is to recruit talent so they can send them to the web of clubs they might have contact with.
WHAT ARE SOCCER SCOUTS LOOKING FOR?
In simple words, soccer scouts are looking for players that can benefit a specific team or club they work for. They are the building bricks that form a successful starting 11 and team because they have to find the right mix of players to reach success.
“The way you deal with the ball is a huge factor in soccer”
TECHNIQUE
Technique is an overall attribute in football that includes your touch and finesse, your passing and shooting abilities, your dribbling and one on one skills and more.
If you can stand out from the rest and deal with the ball in a unique way you can stand out straight away. At the end of the day, football is all about the ball, and being able to manipulate it correctly is the biggest factor to stand. So, keep up the technique training!
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Football has always been a physical sport but, modern soccer has taken this factor to the next level.
If you can show from a young age that you are fit and you have specific physical attributes that are better than the rest you will separate yourself from the rest in the football games and in the eyes of the scouts. Explosive speed is one of the most important physical attributes and you should do football training drills focused on speed.
“Nowadays, footballers are physical machines, strength wise and cardio wise”
La Nucia scout
“Learning how the game works should be your priority to get scouted in football”
Norwegian scout
TACTICAL AWARENESS
Sometimes this can be overseen but many would say that scouts are paying specific attention to this because it is the attribute that can take the longest for you to learn.
You always have to be aware where the soccer goal is in th field so you can make the right decision to improve the chances of your team scoring!
They are looking at the long term future of the club and the team, so they need to make sure that you are good enough now to make the cut but also, improve and be good enough in the future. If you’re not sure where to be in the field, when and where to run in a specific space and other tactical moves, you should ask your coach or check videos online to learn. Technique is one of the most important factors to become a pro footballer.
COMPETITIVENESS AND HUNGER
Is very easy to spot a kid that would do anything to become a professional soccer player compared to a kid that simply plays and would like to become Pro.
Things like character, effort, presence, abilities to overcome bad situations, voice and more, can be seen from the outside by a scout. We know you want to sign with a Pro club, so show it!
“You have to want it, you have to show that the fire to become a footballer is within you“
“A good impression can go a thousand miles!”
OVERALL BEHAVIOUR
This is like everything in life, football is a job, and you should always behave yourself and specially in a job environment.
You have to make it easy for your teammates, coaches, scouts and agents to interact and deal with you.
HOW TO GET SCOUTED IN SOCCER
To get scouted in soccer you have to impress the football scout with your abilities and performance in the field and be in the right place at the right time to be seen. Soccer scouts look for technique, tactical awareness, physical attributes, competitiveness and good behaviour.
Having explained what scouts are looking for, is only a matter of stitching together the info for you to have a clear roadmap to know what you can do to get scouted in soccer:
How do I make a football scout come and watch me play?
Football scouts would normally come to game days or training sessions to see how you train with your football team, so what you have to do is find a club where you can play and get game time. Only then you will be able to showcase your abilities and show the soccer scouts what you’re all about, always keeping in mind what they’re looking for.
Where do football scouts look for players? It’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
You can also attend open football academy trials where you will have a chance to showcase your talents in front of different scouts.
The best and fastest way to get scouted in football is to join a specialised academy that looks for clubs for you and brings scouts to see you play. This is what we do in Lalland Leaver with real life success stories.