Key Takeaways
Table of Contents
The Guide To Get Scouted In Soccer
HOW TO GET SCOUTED IN FOOTBALL
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 people are getting scouted in football and not me? You’re not alone.
Catching a soccer scout’s attention and impressing them are 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 a position?
- At what age can I get scouted?
WHAT ARE FOOTBALL SCOUTS?
Football scouts are the connection between unsigned soccer players and clubs. Their job is to identify talented players who 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.
At the Alicante Football Academy, we speak with soccer scouts daily to know what they are looking for in players, so we can find a club fast for our academy talents. Want to know how we do this? Click the button below for more info.
WHAT ARE SOCCER SCOUTS LOOKING FOR?
In simple words, soccer scouts are looking for players who can benefit a specific team or club they work for. They are the building blocks that form a successful starting 11 and team, as they must find the right mix of players to achieve success.
According to Alicante Football Academy scout Alberto Rubio, football scouts are looking at 5 main things:
“The way you deal with the ball is a huge factor in soccer”
Alicante Football Academy scout
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 in standing out. 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”
Hércules CF Scout
“Learning how the game works should be your priority to get scouted in football”
Norwegian scout
Tactical awareness
Sometimes this can be overlooked, but many would say that scouts pay close attention to this because it is the attribute that can take the longest to learn.
You always have to be aware of where the soccer goal is on the field so you can make the right decision to improve your team’s chances of scoring!
They are looking at the long-term future of the club and the team, so they need to make sure you are good enough now to make the cut and that you can 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
It is much easier to spot a kid who would do anything to become a professional soccer player than a kid who simply plays and would like to become a 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“
Alicante Football Academy head coach
“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, especially in a job environment.
You have to make it easy for your teammates, coaches, scouts, and agents to interact with and do business 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, it’s 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 will you 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 the Alicante Football Academy with real-life success stories.
How do I have to play to impress and get scouted in soccer?
In a nutshell, you have to perform well and be one of the best players on the field on the day. To do this, you have to:
- Know where to be on the field and know where you are expected to run depending on your position. Also, show that you can be smart and adapt tactically to the game's situation. To do this, listen to your coach and ask him any questions you might have. Most of the time, if you listen to your coach's tactics and what he expects of you, you will already be ticking the tactical box.
- When the ball comes to you, do something with it that can benefit your team and the score. Knowing what to do and making the right decisions shows that you are tactically and technically ready. Executing that decision successfully is the second part: whether it’s a pass, a shot, or a cross, making small positive actions will lead to an overall great performance.
- If you can overcome any kind of physical challenge in the game, you will show that your body and physical abilities are up to the standard. Beating your player on speed, winning a strong challenge, winning a high-ball header, exploding fast, and getting to the ball first are all examples of situations where you can show the football scout you are ready to take the next step.
- Overcoming any mental obstacle will show that you have character and that you can perform regardless of the situation. Whether it’s nerves, a soccer goal conceded, a heated game, or simply when everything is going wrong. Keeping a cool head and keeping your intentions clear about the goal of winning and performing is what you have to do to tick the mental and character boxes in the soccer scout's eyes.
What do football scouts look for in a goalkeeper?
Goalkeeper
Football scouts looking for a keeper are looking for correct positioning, great reflexes, on-the-ball technique, and smart distribution. All these qualities can be the difference between you getting scouted by a football team.
Being a goalkeeper is an interesting topic when it comes to getting scouted, because many people have the wrong perception that goalkeepers can’t be scouted or that it is harder. This isn’t true at all.
Actually, goalkeepers have it easier to get scouted due to two main reasons:
Football clubs are always looking to sign goalkeepers because there aren’t many of them, and it’s hard to find a great goalkeeper.
We all know that it’s hard to catch a scout’s attention; however, if a soccer scout is looking for a goalkeeper, you know that they are straight away focused on you, as there’s only you and.. The opponent keeper. All eyes on you then!
If a football scout is specifically looking to find a goalkeeper, they will be looking at:
Correct positioning. Seeing if you are in the correct position to make it as hard as possible for the opponent to score is a must as a keeper.
Reflexes. Reacting quickly to actions and getting there first will avoid many goals and dangerous situations.
On the ball technique. In modern football, a keeper is just another field player, and teams that have a technically gifted keeper have a huge advantage when they have possession of the ball.
Distribution. How you distribute the ball with your hands and feet can create scoring opportunities and completely break the opponent’s structure when they are defending you.
What do football scouts look for in a defender?
Defender
Football scouts looking for defenders are seeking great 1-on-1 defense, tactical awareness, and proper ball distribution.
Being a defender is another of those positions that have changed completely in the scout’s eyes in modern football. What they looked for in a defender before has changed completely, and if you’re smart, you can play to your advantages and show the soccer scouts you are a modern-day defender.
When scouts look for defenders, they are mainly looking at these characteristics:
1 on 1 defense. Modern football is becoming increasingly offensive (link), and as a result, there are more 1-on-1 situations where attackers are running at defenders. If you can come out victorious in these challenges and win the ball from the attacker, you have already earned a part of the scout’s interest, because this is very difficult and requires a lot of time to learn. Liverpool defender Van Dijk has won xx% of his 1-on-1s this season. Wow!
Tactical awareness. This is a must. Most tactical movements and situations in football start in defense because they can see the entire field. If all the defenders are in sync and can push forward and influence the game when the team is attacking, and push back and keep opponents offside when defending, it will show a high football IQ to the scout.
Distribution. Like goalkeepers, modern defenders have a significant influence on the attacking side of the game. Short breakthrough passes, or long balls in the correct spaces, can really impress anyone who is watching you.
What do football scouts look for in a midfierlder?
Midfielder
Football scouts looking for midfielders want them to see the spaces and what’s around them, create chances, score, and adapt to the game’s situation.
Midfielders are the heart of the game. A good and smart performance where you command the game and create dangerous situations can be a game-changer in the scout’s eyes.
Soccer scouts could be looking at different types of midfielders for their club; however, these qualities are a must for all of them:
See the spaces. Whether you are attacking with a killer ball through, or defending with a great cover up, a midfielder should always be aware of their surroundings and especially where the spaces are. A midfielder who can do these things can be the key to winning a game, and sometimes, this is overlooked.
Create chances. Attackers attack and score, but what if midfielders can do it too? You will have a tremendous advantage over the opponents in a soccer game! A goal of assistance from a midfielder counts more to a scout, and as more scouts are looking to do things with data, being a midfielder with great numbers can make you stand out.
Adaptability. You might have been expecting another attribute, but this is massive. Games can change at any minute, and if a midfielder can adapt to this, you have shown the scout you are ready for every situation. Holding the ball when the team is tired, attacking when opponents are broken, tucking in when they are in control, are just a few examples of reading and adapting to the game.
What do scouts look for in an attacker or stricker?
Attacker
Attackers and football scouts have always had a special relationship. It is inevitable for the football scout’s eyes to turn to the players that are creating the chances and scoring goals, that is the way football is.
I will give you the main obvious things scouts are looking for in a striker or attacker, and two things that are always overlooked:
Score goals (Lots of them). The more, the better; in this case, quantity is more important than quality. Sometimes, football scouts will only go to see attackers who have scored a certain number of goals that season. When a club needs goals and a scorer, there isn’t a simpler job for a soccer scout: look for the attacker who scores the most goals. Facts.
Give good crosses. Very overlooked indeed. Whether you’re a winger attacker or a striker who has fallen to the wing, crosses can be a killer for well-structured defenses; actually, xx% of goals in football came from crosses in xxx. Sometimes a cross can be so good that people give credit to the person who didn’t, rather than the scorer.
Explosivity. Whether you’re a big attacker looking to physically trouble defenders or a floating attacker looking to take advantage of spaces, if you can explode at the right moment and get away from the defender, you basically have half of the job done. This one is very big in the scout’s eyes.
At what age do footballers get scouted?
You can get scouted for football from ages 7 to 23, and most players are scouted by football academies at 13.
There isn’t necessarily a specific age when you’re too old to get scouted; however, the oldest age for you to be scouted normally is the early twenties.
Football academies are normally looking to build their young squads and develop the players around the age of 11 to 13 because you can already start to see some characteristics and abilities in their players, and know what you have to work on to develop them. Around the ages of 16 to 18 is when academies decide whether to keep and develop these players or release them.
How do I get my child scouted at 7, 8 , 9 and 10 years old?
Younger ages
At these young ages, there aren’t many scouts looking for players. If a scout does manage to see your child play, they will be looking at how much better some specific abilities are compared to the rest.
PROBABILITY OF GETTING YOUR CHILD SCOUTED
How do I get scouted at 12, 13, 14 and 15 years old in soccer?
Young teenagers
This is the main age to get scouted. If you can be outstanding at some parts of the game and you show a desire and hunger to be a footballer in the field, you are on your way to getting scouted. Football scouts will already be looking at your performance and how well you have done in the game to get an idea of your abilities.
PROBABILITY OF GETTING SCOUTED IN THE EARLY TEENS
How do I get scouted at ages 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 in soccer?
Older teenagers
Around these ages, especially in the 20s, soccer scouts will be looking for players who are ready to take the next step toward becoming a footballer. They will be expecting you to be excellent in all departments and outstanding in certain parts of your game. You have to be ready to play for a professional team or academy. If you can’t see yourself performing against great opposition, you won’t be able to impress football scouts, and you will have to continue working on your game.
PROBABILITY OF GETTING SCOUTED WHEN YOU'RE OLDER
How to get scouted FOR SOCCER In Europe
If you are from anywhere in the world and want to get scouted to play football in Europe, chances are you need to be scouted before you come.
This is complicated because the majority of scouts look for players in Europe, so you are is an disadvantageous situation, but there’s a chance.
The best way for you to get scouted in Europe when you don’t live there is to join a specialised academy that trains you to improve and brings scouts to see you. Yeah.. That’s us!
We also offer a soccer camp in Spain and a European experience for players who can’t join us for a full season.
At the Alicante Football Academy, we prepare our players to get noticed, and we bring scouts from Spain and across Europe to see you play, as well as getting you straight into teams for a football trial!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO GET SCOUTED
Any tips before a game to get scouted?
You have to be always mentally prepared and play as if someone was always watching you. This way, you will always make sure you are performing on the field, whether there’s a scouts or there isn’t.
How can I know if there's a soccer scout in my game?
Honestly, is quite hard to know and you shouldn’t be focused of this because scouts want to see you perform in every situation, not only when you know there’s someone watching you. Although sometimes scouts where official clothing from the club they represent.
How do I get scouted in a football trial?
Football trials is basically you going to the scouts and not the opposite, we have a full guide about football trials.
How should I act when a scout approaches me?
You have to be yourself, you’ve already done the hard work if a soccer scout approaches you! Show desire and character to make sure you make a long lasting impression to him/her.
FOOTBALL ACADEMY GUIDES
Have you ever felt lost trying to understand how to get into a football team?
Do you want to join a football academy?
In this guide we explain the most common ways to get into a team in Spain fast and how we help you in the process in Alicante Football Academy.
Have you ever been in a football trial?
Do you want to attend one and get signed for a football academy?
In this guide we explain all there is to know about about this and how we help you in the process in Alicante Football Academy.
Do you know what you have to do to get scouted?
How can you make scouts come to watch you play?
In this guide we explain how you can get scouted and how we help you in the process in Alicante Football Academy.
Have you ever felt you need to train better to become a good footballer?
Do you want to bring your training sessions to another level?
In this guide we explain the best exercises, used by the best academies in the world, that we do in our morning trainings.
Have you ever wanted to get even faster?
Do you want to be the difference in every game and go past all your opponents?
In this guide we explain how we train speed in the academy and how you can score more football goals every game!
Have you ever wanted to become a better defender?
Do you want to be a strong, imposing defender that can lead a game?
In this guide we explain how we train defending in the academy and the best defending soccer drills to do alone and with your team!
Have you ever felt you need learn hot to train better by yourself?
Do you want to bring your individual training sessions to another level?
In this guide we explain the best individual exercises to do by yourself, used by the best academies in the world, that we encourage our players to do in their trainings.
Have you ever felt lost trying to understand how to become a footballer?
Do you want to become a footballer fast?
In this guide we explain the most common ways to get into a team in fast and how we help you become a pro footballer.
Have you ever felt lost trying to understand how to train a possession?
The possession exercise is undoubtedly one of the most efficient football exercises to become good in the modern game. Why?
