The Research: Visual Exploratory Behaviour (VEB)
Jordet systematically analysed the behaviour of professional players. The term he coined for this: 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 key finding of his research:
Players who look around frequently play statistically better passes.
| Scan Frequency | Share of Forward Passes |
|---|---|
| Frequent scanning | 77% |
| Rare scanning | 39% |
The same player. The same position. The same team. The only difference: how often they look around before receiving the ball.
The difference between 77% and 39% is enormous. These are not minor nuances — this represents a fundamentally different game.
The Best Scanners in the World
Jordet measured the scan frequency of numerous professional players. The result shows why some players always seem to be one step ahead.
| Player | Scans per Second |
|---|---|
| Xavi | 0.83 |
| Fabregas | 0.75 |
| Lampard | 0.62 |
| Gerrard | 0.61 |
| Messi | ~0.55 |
| Iniesta | ~0.53 |
| Pirlo | ~0.51 |
| Ibrahimović | ~0.50 |
On average, Xavi looks around almost once every second. That sounds like a small figure — until you consider that a match lasts 90 minutes and a player is in possession of the ball for only a fraction of that time.
Looking around does not happen while on the ball. It happens continuously — on the move, in marking positions, while finding space.
The Big Problem: Training Massively Neglects Scanning
Here lies the critical issue. Even when coaches know that scanning is important — training sessions rarely reflect it.
Jordet measured how often players look around in different training formats:
| Training Format | Scans per Second |
|---|---|
| Competitive match | 0.44 |
| Small-sided games | 0.36 |
| Possession drills | 0.22 |
| Passing and receiving drills | 0.12 |
| Rondos | 0.03 |
The rondo — one of the most common training formats in modern football — produces the lowest scan rates of all. 0.03 scans per second. That equates to virtually no looking around at all.
This means: players training in rondos practise the exact opposite of what they need in a match. They look at the ball — not away from it.
Conclusion: Scanning must be actively built into training. It does not develop on its own.
The 4 Building Blocks of Scanning
Building Block 1: Searching
The player actively turns their head to collect information. They look left, right, over the shoulder, ahead. This visual search 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 Shape (Panoramic Posture)
The body is aligned so that as much of the pitch as possible falls within the field of view. A side-on body position rather than facing the ball directly. This allows for "panoramic" perception — greater awareness without extra head movements.
Building Block 4: Habit Formation
Scanning only works when it is automated. If you have to consciously think about looking around during a match, you have no cognitive 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 collected picture must also be interpreted correctly.
Stage 1: Observing
Gathering information. Who is standing where? In which direction are players moving? Who is pressing right now?
Stage 2: Understanding
Giving meaning to the information. Which space should I move into? Which pass is the most promising? Which movement from the opponent signals a pressing trigger?
Players who only master Stage 1 know where everyone is standing. Players who also master Stage 2 understand what that means and what will happen next. This second step — pattern recognition — is what makes players like Xavi or Pirlo so difficult to stop.
Training Method: Colour Signals as a Stimulus
The biggest challenge when coaching scanning: how do you get players to look around without constantly shouting at them?
The answer: introduce visual stimuli that reward scanning.
The Most Effective Colour-Signal Methods
Gloves in two colours
The coach wears gloves in two different colours. Before receiving each pass, players must identify the colour of the raised glove and call it out — or adapt their action accordingly (e.g. playing left instead of right if red instead of blue).
Wristbands
Players wear wristbands in two colours. The colour determines which zone to play into, or what type of action is required.
Lifting cones
In a rondo or small-sided game, the coach holds up a coloured cone. Whoever spots it is allowed or required to play in a specific direction. Those who failed to look simply do not know.
Bibs in two colours
Teams wear bibs in two different colours. A rule makes the colour relevant: for example, "You may only pass to the player in the red bib if you looked around beforehand."
Raising hands
The simplest variation: free players raise a hand. Whoever spots them plays the pass there. If you have not looked, you will not see them.
The benefit of these methods: They integrate an active scanning trigger into any existing drill. The player must look around to make the right decision — not because the coach says so, but because the task demands it.
Integrating It into Every Drill
The crucial point: scanning training is not a separate module. It is an additional layer that enhances almost any existing drill.
Rondo: The coach holds up a cone. Whoever spots it may pass. Whoever misses it must hold the ball.
Passing drill: The receiver must call out the glove colour before receiving the ball. Only then is the pass played.
Small-sided game: The bib colour dictates which zone can be played into.
Each of these variations alters the drill minimally — but forces players to scan continuously.
The Triad
Geir Jordet sums up the principle in three phrases:
"See More. Think Quicker. Play Better."
See more. Think quicker. Play better.
This is not a metaphor. It is a causal chain. If you have more information (See More), you make decisions faster (Think Quicker) and consequently play better (Play Better).
Scanning serves as the foundation — it replaces neither technique nor tactics. It sits on top as an additional layer. A technically proficient player who scans well is significantly more dangerous than a technically proficient player who does not.
4 Practical Takeaways for Coaches
| # | Point | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start early | Introduce scanning explicitly from U10 onwards — habits take time to form |
| 2 | Colour signals over verbal commands | A visual stimulus works far better than constant verbal coaching |
| 3 | Integrate into existing drills | No separate module required — simply expand your current drills |
| 4 | Coach an open body shape | Turn the body side-on, rather than facing the ball square on |
FAQ: Scanning in Football
What exactly does scanning mean in football?
Scanning refers to all active head and eye movements a player makes to gather information about their surroundings — before receiving the ball. Researchers call this Visual Exploratory Behaviour (VEB).
Who has scientifically researched scanning in football?
Geir Jordet, a Norwegian sports psychologist, is one of the leading researchers in this field. His analyses demonstrate a direct link between scan frequency and performance quality.
How often does Xavi look around per second?
According to Jordet's measurements, Xavi looks around an average of 0.83 times per second. This makes him the most frequent scanner ever measured.
Why is scanning trained so rarely?
Because it is not an immediately obvious skill. Running paths, passes, shots — these are instantly visible. Whether someone scans or not goes largely unnoticed. As a result, scanning often remains overlooked in training sessions.
How do you integrate scanning into a rondo?
The simplest method: the coach holds up a coloured cone or glove. Players must call out the colour before being allowed to pass. Whoever has not looked does not know the colour and cannot play the pass.
At what age should scanning be introduced?
From U10, initial colour-signal drills can be introduced. The earlier scanning becomes second nature, the greater the impact in senior football.
Does scanning replace other skills?
No. Scanning is an additional layer. A player who scans constantly but lacks technical ability will still struggle. However, a technically sound player who scans effectively will be far more impactful.
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