The Importance of Scanning and Spatial Awareness in Soccer, From Early Development to Elite Play

Understanding Scanning and Spatial Awareness

Scanning, often called “checking your shoulder”, is the skill of continuously observing the field to gather information before you receive the ball or make a play. In scientific terms, sports vision researcher Geir Jordet defines scanning as “a body and/or head movement in which a player’s face is temporarily directed away from the ball, with the intention of looking for information relevant to perform a subsequent action with the ball”. In practice, players are taking mental snapshots of their surroundings, where teammates, opponents, and open space are, so they can decide quickly what to do next. This underpins spatial awareness, which is the understanding of one’s position relative to others on the field. Together, scanning and spatial awareness form the foundation of game intelligence.

Top-level coaches have long noted that elite players scan far more frequently than average players. Arsène Wenger famously said great players have a “head like a radar,” observing that “very good players scan six to eight times in 10 seconds before getting the ball and normal ones three to four times”. In fact, studies of professional playmakers support this: midfield maestros like Xavi Hernández have been recorded scanning roughly 0.8 times per second (8+ glances in 10 seconds), whereas English Premier League players average about 0.6 scans per second. The difference is huge, by the time an elite player receives a pass, they may have checked their surroundings twice as often as others, giving them a richer “mental map” of the play. With this superior spatial awareness, they already know where teammates and opponents are positioned, enabling faster, smarter decisions on the ball.

Why is scanning so critical? Because information is power in soccer. A player who constantly gathers information can anticipate opportunities or threats earlier. Research shows that players who scan more frequently tend to have significantly higher pass completion rates and make more effective plays. One analysis of English Premier League midfielders found that the least frequent scanners completed around 60–64% of their passes, while the most frequent scanners completed about 81–83%, a remarkable jump in effectiveness. By looking up and around, players spot open teammates or looming defenders early, allowing them to adjust and choose a better option. In short, the more you scan, the better your decisions and execution.

The Science Behind “Heads-Up” Play: Perception, Decision, Execution

Scanning and spatial awareness don’t just feel useful, they are backed by sports science, cognition, and even neuropsychology. Constantly scanning reduces a player’s reaction time and mental load during play. Here’s how it works: by checking the environment before the ball arrives, you’re pre-processing information. You don’t get caught by surprise because you’ve already noted who is around you and where space might be. This aligns with research on expert vs. novice players’ visual search strategies, elite players can pick up more information from a quick glance and better anticipate situations unfolding around them. One study of professional midfielders showed higher scanning frequency was directly correlated with a greater likelihood of performing positive actions like turning with the ball and making forward passes under pressure. Those who scanned more were significantly more likely to turn away from an incoming defender and play a forward pass into an attacking area, rather than panicking, playing backward, or losing possession. This exemplifies what sports scientists call perception-action coupling, the tight link between what you perceive and how you execute an action. The best players perceive more (through scanning) and thus can act faster and more decisively.

Timing of scans is as important as frequency. It’s not just about looking around constantly, but doing so at the right moments. The ideal time to scan is when the ball is traveling (either on its way to you or someone else) or when you’re not actively controlling it. For example, if a teammate is about to pass you the ball, a quick look over your shoulder while the ball is en route can update your mental picture of where opponents and teammates are at that second. Top players habitually take these last-second glances, research confirms that these “critical scans” right before receiving the ball often make the difference in choosing the correct next move. If you fail to look at the key moment, even frequent scanning earlier might not save you; it’s about looking often enough and at the right times.

From a cognitive and neurological perspective, training scanning skills literally trains the brain. As you improve your scanning habit, you engage the visual cortex and prefrontal cortex in processing more information and making split-second decisions. Over time, your brain’s working memory can handle larger chunks of visual data under pressure, and repeated scanning starts to become automatic. With enough practice, scanning turns into a reflex, much like a seasoned driver instinctively checks the mirrors, allowing players to enter a “flow state” where they can focus on what decision to make rather than how to gather info. Elite athletes often describe this as the game “slowing down” for them, when in reality their brains are processing the scene at high speed. One expert noted that the information a player picks up while scanning, combined with their technical skill set, directly influences how fast and well they can decide on an action. In other words, a player who has trained their perception (through scanning) and has the requisite execution skills can arrive at the correct play far quicker than a less experienced player in the same situation. This is why veteran players sometimes seem to have “all the time in the world” on the ball, their superior spatial awareness and polished technique allow them to anticipate and orient their first touch perfectly, as if they knew what was coming.

Importantly, studies also show that scanning and pattern recognition are coachable skills. Players can improve these abilities with targeted practice. With experience, the brain develops a library of “game situations”, for example, a midfielder learns to recognize the telltale spatial pattern of an opponent closing in to press from behind. They subconsciously register cues (like a certain defender’s movement or an extra touch by a teammate) that trigger them to check their shoulder and prepare to execute a one-touch layoff pass to escape pressure. Like a chess master who sees an impending checkmate pattern, an experienced player can sense a developing threat or opportunity seconds before it happens, because they’ve seen that pattern before. The good news is this kind of split-second anticipation can be improved: drills that simulate specific spatial patterns can hard-wire the brain to recognize them faster in real games. Modern training methods even use technology to accelerate this learning, for instance, virtual reality scenarios where players practice scanning a 360° field, or strobe-light goggles that intermittently block vision to force quicker information processing. Studies using VR training have shown that improvements in virtual “scanning” drills can transfer to real on-field performance. And tools like stroboscopic glasses, which flicker and only let athletes see snapshot glimpses of play, have been used to train players to gather crucial info in very short windows. These methods essentially overload the sensory processing system so that in normal conditions the player’s visual processing speed is sharper.

Bottom line: Scanning is not an innate talent reserved for a few, it’s a trainable, scientific skill. By strengthening the habit of checking your surroundings and processing that information, you reduce reaction time, make better decisions under pressure, and seamlessly link perception to action. Especially for young players, developing this habit early can pay huge dividends as the game gets faster at higher levels.

Case Study, Kristie Mewis: Spatial Intelligence in Action

To illustrate the impact of scanning and spatial awareness, consider the example of Kristie Mewis, a creative midfielder whose career resurgence has been built on smart, heads-up play. Mewis isn’t the biggest or fastest player on the field, but her spatial intelligence and vision set her apart as a playmaker. Coaches and analysts often describe her as the “oil that makes the gears run” for her team’s midfield . In other words, she keeps the team ticking by constantly finding pockets of space, linking passes, and making herself available as an outlet. Mewis has incredible vision on the field, she’s a generous passer with an eye for through balls, and she often floats into gaps at the top of the box during attacks . No matter where she is on the pitch, she has a knack for being in the right spot and connecting plays, a direct product of keen awareness.

One example of Kristie Mewis’s spatial awareness came in a Gotham FC match. As her team built an attack, Mewis moved intelligently into open space to receive a pass, allowing her a moment to assess her options. With a defender closing in, she danced past the challenge and, crucially, kept her head up. Because she had scanned the field, Mewis was able to deliver a perfect heads-up square pass in front of three defenders to set up a teammate, a sequence that had the crowd buzzing even though the shot went unconverted . This kind of composure, calmly finding a free spot, evading pressure, and picking out a pass, shows how scanning can create time and options for a player. Mewis essentially made three defenders irrelevant by seeing the play unfold a step ahead.

It’s no coincidence that as Mewis honed these mental aspects, her career hit new heights. After falling out of the U.S. national team for several years, she fought her way back into contention through hard work and smarter play. U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski noticed the transformation in her game understanding, remarking that “the 2020 version of Kristie Mewis is almost like a different person, different player… She’s more mature, understands the game… Her approach to the game, mentally, is totally different.” . This testament from a national team coach highlights that Mewis’s improvement wasn’t just physical, it was her enhanced tactical awareness and decision-making that earned his trust. Freed from uncertainty about her role, she began to read the game better and influence it more.

At the club level, coaches have tapped into Mewis’s spatial strengths as well. James Clarkson, her coach at the Houston Dash, even adjusted the team’s formation to capitalize on her ability to exploit space between the lines. “We changed the formation… to get her higher up the field and use her qualities, which are her ability to run into space, run with the ball, her passing, her shooting,” Clarkson explained . By playing Mewis in an advanced midfield role, he knew her awareness of gaps in the defense and her vision to pick out runs could consistently influence games in the Dash’s favor . The result? In the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, Mewis provided a league-best 5 assists, often by popping up unmarked in dangerous areas and delivering the final pass .

It’s worth noting that Kristie Mewis actively works on her mental skills. Off the field, she studies elite midfielders, her favorite being Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, a player renowned for his vision and decision-making . Mewis has mentioned that she often watches soccer not just as a fan but as a student of the game, analyzing how top playmakers scan for passing options and exploit space . This kind of deliberate observation is something any aspiring player can do: watch the best, notice how often they glance around or how they position themselves between opponents, and try to emulate those habits. Mewis’s journey shows that scanning and spatial awareness aren’t just bonus skills, they can redefine a player’s ceiling. By sharpening these abilities, she transformed from a fringe player into a key contributor for club and country. Her case underlines a powerful lesson: when players marry technical ability with high game IQ and awareness, they unlock their full potential.

Training Scanning and Decision-Making: Beast Mode Soccer’s Approach

At Beast Mode Soccer, our training philosophy has always been “Own Your Development,” and a huge part of that is equipping players with the tools to read the game and make quick decisions. In our individual and small-group training sessions, we emphasize that every drill can train the mind as well as the body. It’s not enough to master fancy footwork in isolation; players should be scanning and processing information even in practice exercises. Here’s how we integrate scanning and spatial awareness into training, and the frameworks we use to develop these skills:

The ASE Framework: Attack, Space, Execute

One method we use to build quick decision-making is the “ASE” framework, Attack, Space, Execute. ASE is a simple but powerful concept that can be applied in various drills (especially 1v1 and finishing scenarios) to ingrain a rapid thought-action sequence. In essence, Attack means engaging the situation assertively (for example, driving at a defender or attacking an open lane), Space means identifying where the opening is (e.g. recognizing a gap to dribble through or which side of the defender to exploit), and Execute means performing the final action with purpose (delivering the pass, shot, or move once the space is created). We often design small circuits and challenges around this concept. For instance, the “ASE dribbling circuit” in our training app turns a simple backyard drill into a 1v1 decision-making warzone: the player must quickly approach a cone defender (Attack), use a move to get around into free space (Space), then immediately take a shot or play a decisive pass (Execute). By training this repeatedly, players develop the habit of not hesitating, they learn to swiftly assess “Can I attack? Where is the space? Now finish the play.”

The ASE framework also addresses a common issue: many young players execute moves or passes without reading the game context (they focus on technique but not on when and why to use it). ASE trains them to think in three steps: What’s my aggressive intent? Where should I go with it? Can I pull it off cleanly? Over time, this builds faster processing. For example, if a player’s “weakness” is slow decision-making, we encourage them to train ASE in various drills. Rather than dribbling aimlessly, they practice doing everything with eyes up, scanning for a cue (a coach’s signal or a target gate) and responding with the appropriate attack into space. This gamified approach pushes players to make split-second choices just like a game situation, which in turn raises their speed of play when it counts. We’ve found that when players internalize Attack-Space-Execute in training, it shows up on the field as more confident 1v1 takes, quicker releases of the ball, and better exploitation of defensive gaps.

Individual Performance Development (IPD), Personalized Training Plans

No two players are exactly alike in how they learn or what they need, which is why Individual Performance Development (IPD) is at the core of Beast Mode Soccer’s methodology. IPD means we create a tailored development plan for each player, essentially an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that targets their specific strengths to enhance and weaknesses to improve. Scanning and spatial awareness are a perfect example of a trainable area that might be a focus in someone’s plan. Some players, even at young ages, might have great ball control but poor awareness; others might see the game well but lack the technical execution. Through IPD, we assess each player and design training around their needs, if a 12-year-old midfielder needs better awareness under pressure, we’ll bake more scanning drills into their routine; if a forward tends to miss open teammates, we’ll incorporate vision and passing exercises to broaden their field view.

As I often say, “Every player is unique, and cookie-cutter training won’t get you where you want to go.” This philosophy is why world-class players like Alex Morgan and Rachel Daly have trusted our Individual Development planning, it’s a blueprint that puts the player in control of their growth. With younger players, an IDP might include simple goals like “check your shoulder before every reception” or a fun scanning game to play at home. For older players, it could be more advanced, like using video analysis to improve their off-ball positioning. Crucially, IPD emphasizes accountability and tracking progress. We encourage players to chart things like how many scans they do in a drill, or how many times they were caught unaware in a scrimmage, making the abstract concept of awareness into something they can monitor and improve. In our Beast Mode Soccer+ app, for example, we track metrics like TPM (Touches Per Minute) and RUP (Reps Under Pressure) so players can see their speed of play improving as they train with more awareness. By individuating the development process, players at any age learn to “own” their scanning habit, it becomes a personal challenge to get their head up more often, to make that perfect split-second pass, etc. This personalized approach ensures that training scanning and decision-making isn’t just a one-off drill, but a continuous, deliberate part of a player’s evolution.

Training Habits: How We Build Scanning into Sessions

In practical terms, Beast Mode Soccer sessions (whether one-on-one or small group) constantly reinforce scanning. Coaches will use verbal cues, you’ll hear us shout “Check your shoulders!” frequently during ball work exercises. This reminder might seem simple, but it creates an audible trigger for the player to execute the physical act of turning the head. Over time, these prompts help condition the muscle memory of looking around. Just as a player develops a good first touch through repetition, they develop the instinct to scan by doing it every few seconds in training until it’s second nature. We also incorporate specific constraints or stimuli in drills to simulate game awareness: for example, in a passing drill we might hold up a number of fingers or a colored pinnie behind the player as we serve the ball, requiring them to call out what they see before they receive and return the pass. This forces the player to get their eyes off the ball momentarily and pick up external information, exactly the skill they need in matches.

Small-group trainings are ideal for working on spatial awareness because we can create game-like scenarios in a tight setting. A typical exercise might be a 3v3 rondo or keep-away game where we add a rule that the receiver must shout the name of a teammate or a cone color behind them before the pass arrives. This kind of drill forces constant head movement to avoid a turnover. We might also do pattern recognition drills, for instance, setting up four small goals (or cone gates) around an area and giving a point each time a team finds the open gate to play through. Players quickly learn to scan for which goal is unmarked (open space) while under pressure. Such exercises connect the technical with the tactical: players are dribbling, passing, and moving while actively surveying their surroundings, just as they would in a real match. As they practice these scenarios, you can almost see the “light bulb” go off, they start recognizing situations faster and reacting more smoothly.

We also leverage modern training tools for advanced players. Video analysis is huge, we often review footage with players to point out “Did you see that runner? What could you have done if you had scanned here?”. Some elite trainees even use VR training modules that present realistic on-field visuals to train decision-making. And for those looking to push the limits, we experiment with strobe glasses in controlled drills: by obscuring vision intermittently, the player is challenged to gather key info in brief glimpses, which can massively boost their visual processing speed over time. All of these methods boil down to one principle: training the eyes and brain alongside the feet. By making scanning an integral part of practice, players develop the habit so strongly that in games they don’t need a coach yelling from the sideline, they’ll do it automatically.

Finally, we address the psychological aspect, especially with younger players. Many kids are naturally hesitant to take their eyes off the ball, it’s an understandable fear (“if I look away, I might lose the ball!”). We gradually build their confidence that the ball isn’t going to magically disappear in that split-second glance. Through ball mastery drills (hundreds of touches to build comfort) combined with simple scanning tasks, they learn to trust their touch and overcome the fear of looking away. We often explain to both players and parents: at early stages, it’s okay if a child loses the ball a few times because they glanced up, that’s part of learning. With patience and practice, their peripheral vision and ball control improve to the point that a quick look around feels safe and normal. Once that click happens, the player’s field awareness usually skyrockets. In our experience, this is a key developmental breakthrough: the moment a young player starts playing with their head up, their effectiveness multiplies, and they truly begin to understand the why of the game, not just the how.

Drills and Practices to Develop Scanning (For All Ages)

Building scanning skills can start at any age, the key is to tailor the approach to the player’s development level so it’s both fun and effective. Below are some suggested drills and practices, from simple games for little ones to advanced exercises for older players, that coaches, trainers, or parents can implement:

• Fun Foundations (Ages ~6-9): Emphasize games that reward looking around. For example, set up a small grid for dribbling and have the player dribble with their head up, calling out the number of fingers you’re holding up or the color of a cone you point to. This can be made into a game: every time they get it right while keeping control of the ball, they score a point. Another activity is “Coach Says”: similar to Simon Says, as the child dribbles, the coach shouts commands that require scanning, e.g. “Coach says: where’s the red cone?” and the player must quickly look and dribble toward that cone. At this stage, the focus is on getting comfortable moving with the ball and lifting the eyes. Keep it light and encouraging so young players gain confidence that glancing away won’t make them lose the ball (and even if it does, it’s okay, they’ll improve with practice).

• Intermediate Awareness (Ages ~10-13): As players mature, you can introduce more structured partner and small-group drills. One effective drill is a Shoulder-Check Shuttle: Player A stands about 10 yards away facing Player B (who has a ball). Behind Player A, set up two different colored cones a few yards to the left and right. Player B plays a firm pass to Player A; just before passing, Player B calls out a color. Player A must check over their shoulder to spot the cone of that color, receive the ball, turn toward that side, and then pass the ball back or to a third target. This drill forces the receiving player to scan while the ball is traveling and then execute a turn in the correct direction, mirroring a game scenario of receiving under pressure and turning into space. Another exercise is a 360° Awareness Drill: place one player in the center of a circle of 4-5 other players or rebounder surfaces. The center player receives a pass from one outside player and must quickly open up to pass to a different target (e.g. receive from the north, turn and one-touch pass to east). Before each reception, the center player should glance over shoulders to locate teammates (or small goals used as targets). Coaches can add a passive defender in the middle to simulate pressure, so the center player has to decide away from pressure. These kinds of rondo and circle drills instill the habit of constant head movement. Research in sports cognition supports using such scenario-based drills: players can actually wire their brains to recognize patterns (like where the open player tends to be) through repetition. Encourage the youth players by praising every time you notice a good scan or an intelligent turn, reinforcement goes a long way to solidify the behavior.

• Advanced Vision & Decision-Making (Ages ~14 and up): For high schoolers, college players, or any advanced trainees, the drills should closely mimic real match complexity. Small-sided games with constraints are superb at this stage. For example, play a 5v5 game but require that before scoring a goal, a player must have made a certain number of scans (you can have an observer count head turns or use video later). A more practical constraint is limiting touches or time on the ball, e.g. two-touch maximum or a rule that you must pass within 2 seconds. These conditions implicitly force players to think ahead and scan before the ball even gets to them; otherwise, they won’t get a pass off in time. You can also incorporate multi-tasking drills to raise difficulty: one drill we use involves a player juggling or doing a fast footwork pattern, and periodically they have to look up at a coach who’s holding up a colored card or making a hand signal to the left/right. The player calls out what they see or points to a corresponding cone, then immediately continues the footwork. This helps train divided attention, keeping control of the ball while your eyes gather other info. Technology can play a role at advanced levels too. Tools like light trainers (which flash colored lights that players must respond to while dribbling or passing) and even VR training programs can create an immersive environment for practicing scanning. For instance, a virtual simulation might have a player check over their shoulder for a “defender” and choose the correct outlet, if they make the right decision in the VR, the training program logs it and can increase speed next time. These cutting-edge methods are supported by sports science: forcing the brain to handle game-like visual cues in training can improve real game performance. Lastly, video review and mental reps become crucial at higher levels. Players should regularly watch their games and pause at moments before they receive the ball, asking: “What could I have known if I had scanned?” This reflection helps them apply lessons to the next match. At the end of the day, advanced players need to blend technical excellence with mental speed, drills that demand both will prepare them for elite competition.

Conclusion

Scanning and spatial awareness are often the hidden X-factors behind what coaches call “soccer IQ” or “game intelligence.” Developing these skills is not just for professional players, it’s something that can and should start early, in age-appropriate ways, and then continually refined through a player’s journey. We’ve seen how a player like Kristie Mewis revitalized her career by sharpening her awareness and understanding of the game, and how top coaches like Arsène Wenger and others emphasize perception and decision-making even above technique in young players’ training. The message is clear: players who learn to keep their heads up play faster, smarter, and more effectively.

For coaches and parents, the takeaway is to prioritize cognitive skills alongside physical skills. Encourage your players to frequently take looks around, even if at first it leads to a mistake or two. Praise their vision and ideas, not just goals and flashy moves. Incorporate small habits like a shoulder check into every drill. And remember that every player develops at their own pace, use an Individual Development approach to target the needs of each child or athlete, whether that’s more scanning, quicker passing decisions, or better spatial positioning. By creating training environments that challenge players to think and play at the same time, we prepare them for the pressures of real matches where split-second decisions make all the difference.

In soccer, information is the great equalizer. A youth player who diligently scans the field can outplay a more athletic opponent who doesn’t. An older player who prolongs their career often does so by using their experience and awareness to compensate for any lost speed. The earlier and more consistently we train our eyes and brain, the more it becomes a natural part of the game. So whether you’re working with a 7-year-old just learning to “find the open teammate,” or an elite professional fine-tuning their one-touch passing options, make scanning and spatial awareness a focal point of development. The result will be smarter players, faster play, and a better all-around understanding of the beautiful game, and that is ultimately what transforms potential into performance on the pitch.

References: Scanning and spatial awareness concepts and statistics are drawn from sports science research and expert analyses. Coaching insights from Arsène Wenger and studies by Prof. Geir Jordet underpin the importance of visual exploratory frequency. Case study details on Kristie Mewis’s playmaking and quotes from her coaches are sourced from recent sports journalism . Beast Mode Soccer training frameworks (ASE and IPD) and methods described reflect our program’s philosophy, as highlighted in our official resources and cognitive training research. All drills and practices suggested are informed by widely used coaching techniques and Beast Mode Soccer’s training experience in developing individual players.