What Pro Soccer Scouts Look For: Key Attributes and Tips for Aspiring Players

It is every player`s dream to play professional soccer at the biggest club and or for national team. Soccer is now a billion dollar industry with so many lifetime opportunities to those who would have a chance to ply this trade at the highest level.

Leagues like FIFA World Cup, English Premier, Bundesliga, LA Liga, Serie A, UEFA Champions and many other need the best players’ who are equal to the task.

All the famous players’ were found or were discovered by soccer scouts when they were playing at school or local park.

Soccer scouts of late have now got the latest technologies they use for scouting. Software like Scout 7 and WY scout are now being employed by soccer scouts in decision making in the global recruitment and development of players’.

Players are recorded whilst playing and videos are uploaded and then these are used by the teams technical department to run a rule over a player from the comfort of their offices.

But all the same scouts use the traditional methods to scout for player for their teams. I will break this down to two types of players’ that is the goal keeper and other team members.

Let’s dive in and see what player attributes as a player you must posses in order to catch the eye of pro soccer scout.

Goal keeper

Goal keeper is a difficult position. It is a position in which a player`s physique really stands out. His area of play is the 18 yard box is where the heat of the battle takes place. Key attributes for goal keeper are;

1. Height is a major must for a goal keeper. You must be 1,92m or 6 feet 3 inches tall to make the grade. If, don’t have the required height the rest of your physique and skill could make up of it.
2. Jumping, stretching ability and fast reflexes. The goal post is 3 meters in height and 5 meters wide. The goal keeper needs to be able to jump and stretch to block out the ball.
3. Communicate and organize with defenders- You need to be able to organize with defenders on set pieces during strikers attack.
4. Strong block and punching- very crucial attributes to be in procession of. Weak blocks and punches simply result in a lot of balls into the nets.
5. Awareness Concentration- you need to be constantly be aware of how the attackers have formulated their attack and the pace and the flanks being used. A lapse in concentration spells disaster for the team.
6. Play the ball out- you must be able to play out the ball from the back with feet.

Team Members

Depending on what the pro soccer scouts are looking for, we are going to look for attributes that they look for in all players’ whether you are a defender, mid fielder, winger or striker.

1. Soccer is a highly physical game. It requires one to be physically fit. For the team members to be in the game form means two halves of 45 minutes each plus added time of constant running around the park. No team player can contribute meaningfully without being able to run. If, cannot run then no one is going to give you a chance in their teams.
2. Right or left foot- Its natural that players’ are either right or left footed. There are a few exceptional cases where player or players’ can play good soccer with both feet. You will be noticed by the foot you are natural with so that you can be assigned a position you can easily use your natural foot.
3. Tempo- the modern game is much quicker than ever. Your pace gets you to a position of advantage, and that puts pressure on the opposition. Scouts look for natural desire from to find space and look for opportunities to get the ball.
4. Technical proficiency- you need to know what to do before you receive the ball. Looking for the next pass controlling the ball under pressure from opponents will definitely make the grade. Scouts want players’ who think 3 or 4 moves in advance.
5. Disposition/Temper- mental strength or discipline is very critical. The ability to work hard and staying mentally strong in the heat of the battle. Scouts will definitely loose interest in players’ that snap and go into a brawl during a match. Ability to read the game and show natural intelligence for soccer are often characteristics that cannot be taught and as such, the possession of these will definitely attract pro soccer scouts.

The software developed for scouts will encompass all the above attributes hence possession of the above will definitely improve your chances to get noticed.

Social Aspects

Pro soccer scouts again look into the social aspects of players’. They talk to coaching staff, families and community members in order to develop an understanding of a players’ character and personality traits.

Why do scouts look at social aspects one may ask??

Professional soccer is big business and all the time a player is carrying a big brand for the team and for their country. No-one wants their brand to be tarnished by negative behaviours.

Pro scouts will also want to see the player they scouted for will end up being a brand name in soccer. This will bring lucrative contracts with marketing agencies of kits, boots and soccer accessories wanting to associate with that player. Tickets to watch that player will be sold out.

Not all scouts will operate the same. They differ with the country they operate in. This will put you at an advantage or disadvantage. This is because in some countries like in England, Spain, Germany and Brazil there is a lot of scouting going on. Not so the same in Africa where pro soccer scouts come out when there is a major tournament going on like the FIFA Under 17 or Under 21 Afcon. China has also come on board with a number of pro scouts working for teams. This is based on the quality of players’ they are buying from Europe and Africa.

As a player you need to do the following over and above having good player attributes;-

• find out trial dates and boot camps from the clubs you want to target and make yourself available.
• Find out more about the team(s) you want to target and reach out to the coaching and technical staff. In turn the staff will ask the scouts to look at your play thereby improving your chances of getting noticed.
• Be active on social media. Social media will get pro scouts to look at your skills set plus your character.

Go for it

What ever the situation or the place you are from and you love soccer so much, do not give up. There are always people who will distract you from your focus, but make sure that you posses the above attributes and scouts will find you.

Next stop are your pictures signing a professional contract and showing off your replica jersey with your name written on the back.

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