Scanning in Football: Look Around More, Play Better

Research: Visual Exploratory Behaviour (VEB)

Jordet has systematically analyzed the behavior of professional players. The term he uses for it: Visual Exploratory Behaviour. In short: VEB.

VEB describes all head and eye movements a player makes to gather information from their surroundings — before receiving the ball.

The central finding of his research:

Players who scan frequently statistically make better passes.

The same player. The same position. The same team. The only difference: how often they scan before receiving the ball.

The difference from 77% to 39% is enormous. These are not minor nuances — this is a fundamentally different game.

The Best Scanners in the World

Jordet measured the scanning frequency of numerous professional players. The results show why some players always seem to be one step ahead.

Xavi scans almost once per second on average. This sounds like a small number — until you consider that a game lasts 90 minutes and a player only possesses the ball for a fraction of that time.

Scanning doesn't happen with the ball. It happens all the time — in motion, in defensive positions, when making runs.

The Big Problem: Training Massively Neglects Scanning

Here lies the crucial problem. Even if coaches know that scanning is important — training hardly reflects it.

Jordet measured how often players scan in different training formats:

The Rondo — one of the most common training forms in modern football — produces the lowest scan values of all. 0.03 scans per second. This equates to almost no scanning.

This means: Players who train in Rondos practice the opposite of what they need in competition. They look at the ball — not away from the ball.

Conclusion: Scanning must be actively incorporated into training. It does not develop automatically.

The 4 Building Blocks of Scanning

Building Block 1: Searching

The player actively turns their head to gather information. They look left, right, over their shoulder, in front of them. This searching happens before the ball arrives.

Building Block 2: Locating

The gathered information is assembled into a mental picture. Where are teammates positioned? Where are opponents? Which space is free?

Building Block 3: Open Body Stance (Panoramic Posture)

The body is oriented so that as much of the field as possible is within view. Sideways-turned body instead of frontal to the ball. This allows for "panoramic" perception — more overview without extra head movements.

Building Block 4: Forming a Habit

Scanning only works if it's automated. A player who has to consciously think about scanning during a game will have no free capacity left for other decisions. The goal is for scanning to become an unconscious habit.

Two Stages of Processing

Scanning alone is not enough. The gathered information must also be correctly interpreted.

Stage 1: Observing

Gather information. Who is where? In which direction are players moving? Who is currently pressing?

Stage 2: Understanding

Give meaning to the information. Which space should I run into? Which pass is most promising? Which opponent movement indicates pressing?

Players who only master Stage 1 know where everyone is. Players who also master Stage 2 know what that means and what will happen next. This second step — recognizing patterns — is what makes players like Xavi or Pirlo so difficult to stop.

Training Method: Color Signals as Stimulus

The biggest problem with scanning training: How do you get players to scan without constantly yelling at them?

The answer: incorporate visual cues that reward scanning.

Key Color Signal Methods

Gloves in two colors

The coach wears gloves in two different colors. Before each ball reception, players must identify and loudly call out the color of the raised glove — or adjust their action accordingly (e.g., play left instead of right if red instead of blue).

Armbands

Players wear armbands in two colors. The color determines which zone to play into, or what type of action is required.

Raising Cones

In a Rondo or small-sided game, the coach holds up a colored cone. Whoever sees it may/must play in a certain direction. Whoever didn't see it doesn't know.

Bibs in two colors

Teams wear bibs in two different colors. A rule makes the color relevant: e.g., "You may only pass to the player in the red bib if you have scanned beforehand."

Raising Hands

Simplest variation: Unmarked players raise a hand. Whoever sees it plays there. Whoever didn't scan, doesn't see it.

The advantage of these methods: They integrate an active scanning moment into every existing drill. The player must scan to make the right decision — not because the coach says so, but because they need it for the task.

Integrate into Every Drill

The crucial point: Scanning training is not a separate module. It is an additional layer that complements almost every existing drill.

Rondo: Coach holds up a cone. Whoever sees it may pass. Whoever doesn't see it must hold the ball.

Passing Drill: Receiver must call out the color of the glove before receiving the ball. Only then is the pass made.

Small-Sided Game: Bib color determines which zone can be played into.

Each of these variations changes the drill minimally — but forces players to constantly scan.

The Triad

Geir Jordet summarizes the principle in three sentences:

"See More. Think Quicker. Play Better."

See more. Think quicker. Play better.

This is not a metaphor. It is a causal chain. Whoever has more information (See More) makes decisions faster (Think Quicker) and consequently plays better (Play Better).

Scanning is the foundation — it replaces neither technique nor tactics. It serves as an additional layer on top. A technically strong player who scans well is significantly more dangerous than a technically strong player who doesn't.

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