How do you write great football scouting reports? (tips, templates & examples)
Write great football scouting reports
Avoid catch-all terms
Use a framework
Apply time-space characteristics
Bring it all together
The pitfall of catch-all terms
Anvoid these generic terms
Many aspiring scouts fall into the trap of using generic, catch-all terms when describing player performances. Statements like, “He’s not comfortable on the ball,” or “He’s always one step too late” may seem insightful initially but often fail to provide any real value. While they sound right, they don’t offer actionable insights or a clear understanding of what the player did wrong or how they could improve.
Avoiding generic language
For example, imagine a left winger has underperformed in a match. Instead of saying, “He wasn’t in the game,” provide specific details:
- “Even when his teammate had time and space on the ball, the winger didn’t make deep runs to stretch the opposition’s defensive line.”
- “He failed to pull his marker out of position to create space for the left-back’s overlapping runs.”
- “His pressing was ineffective because the distance between him and the central defender was too large, allowing the defender to pass out from the back.”
This kind of detailed language adds value to your report, ensuring that it’s not just an overview but a precise analysis based on observable football actions. In the end, this is what separates average reports from truly insightful ones.
Using a structured framework
The four phases of football actions
To help structure your reports and improve the clarity of your analysis, you can rely on a framework that divides football actions into four phases: collecting information, decision (what), decision (how), and execution. This method helps you break down every player’s action on the field into manageable and understandable segments.
The four phases:
- Collecting information: The first stage of every football action is collecting information. They do so by using their senses: mostly through seeing, and to a lesser extent by hearing, feeling and sometimes even smelling
- Example: A midfielder scanning the pitch before receiving a pass or a defender pointing out an opponent for a teammate to mark.
Here are some other examples of collecting information that don’t involve seeing:
- A central defender touching the striker when the opponent gets a cross in to know where he is.
- A midfielder listening to the verbal coaching of a teammate to know if he can turn with the ball.
- A left winger smelling that the right fullback is marking him closely when he receives the ball
- Decision (what): The player decides what action to take next based on this information.
- Example: Should the player dribble, pass, or shoot?
- Decision (how): The player then determines how to carry out that decision.
- Example: A curled cross towards the back post or a low driven pass on the ground.
- Execution: Finally, the player performs the action. This phase depends on the player’s technical ability.
- Example: The accuracy of the pass or shot is measured by its position, moment, direction, and speed.
When evaluating players, recognizing these phases helps explain their actions clearly and adds depth to your analysis. For example, when a player executes a deep run behind the defensive line, your report should describe not just the fact that he made the run but also analyze the timing (moment), the starting position (position), and the speed of the run.
Applying time-space characteristics
The PMDS Framework
To further enhance your reports, you can evaluate each football action using the PMDS framework: Position, Moment, Direction, and Speed. This framework adds precision to your analysis by breaking down each action’s technical and tactical aspects.
Example: analyzing a deep run
- Position: The forward positions himself between the central defenders, a few meters from the offside line to gain a speed advantage.
- Moment: The forward starts his run as the midfielder receives the ball and turns towards goal, anticipating the pass.
- Direction: The run is angled diagonally behind the ball-side defender, making it harder for the goalkeeper to intercept the pass.
- Speed: The player accelerates quickly to beat the offside trap but adjusts his pace just before receiving the ball to control it effectively.
Using this framework, you offer a nuanced view of the player’s movements and decisions, allowing your audience to visualize the action more clearly.
Bringing it all together
Integrate all the elements
In practice, a good scouting report integrates these elements to paint a full picture of the player’s performance. The clarity and depth provided by avoiding catch-all terms, using a structured framework, and applying time-space characteristics will greatly improve the quality of your reports. This will help you become a better scout and give decision-makers more valuable and actionable insights.
For example, instead of merely noting that a player “worked hard,” detail how his off-the-ball movements helped (or didn’t help) his team or how his positioning during a defensive phase created opportunities for counterattacks.
Template for football scouting reports
What to include in a scouting report?
Now that we’ve covered the importance of detail and structure, here’s a comprehensive template to guide you in writing a professional scouting report. Remember, while this structure provides a solid foundation, adaptability is critical—each club may have its preferences for format and content.
1. Player Information
Provide essential but crucial details to set the context for the report.
- Name
- Age
- Position
- Club
- Match observed
2. Player Rating
Assign a rating to the player’s performance based on the system used by your club or client. Different clubs may use varying rating systems, such as:
- A/B/C/D,
- 5-9 scale,
- Green/Orange/Red.
To ensure your rating is meaningful and consistent, it’s essential to understand the nuances of the system you’re using. For example, how should you differentiate between a player who scores an “8” and one who scores a “9”? If you’re unfamiliar with a system, you can find tips on optimizing player rating scales here.
3. Summary
Provide a brief overview that encapsulates the player’s overall performance in the match.
- Key strengths: Highlight the player’s standout attributes.
- Areas for improvement: Identify specific parts of their game that need attention.
- This section should be concise yet informative, enabling readers to understand the player’s performance quickly.
4. Positional play
Analyze how the player positions themselves in various phases of play:
- Offensive Phase: How does the player position themselves in attack? Does the player find pockets of space, stretch the opposition’s defense, or remain static?
- Defensive Phase: Is the player consistently in the right positions during defensive transitions? Does the player track back and contribute defensively?
- Transition Play: Analyze the player’s positioning when the team transitions from defense to attack and vice versa. Are they quick to react, or do they lag?
5. Key actions
Break down the most critical moments of the match using the PMDS framework (Position, Moment, Direction, Speed). This will give your report a structured, in-depth analysis of the player’s actions.
- Examples:
- Deep runs: Was the run well-timed, and did it effectively stretch the defense?
- Pressing actions: Was the pressing coordinated, and did it lead to regaining possession?
- Key passes: Was the timing and direction of the pass optimal for creating a chance?
The PMDS framework ensures your report captures the technical and tactical nuances of the player’s performance.
6. Tactical awareness
Assess the player’s ability to understand and implement tactical instructions. Use the Four Phases of Football Actions framework:
- Communication: Does the player gather information effectively (scanning the field, coordinating with teammates)?
- Decision (What): Does the player make smart decisions on the ball (pass, dribble, or shoot)?
- Decision (How): How does the player execute those decisions (curved pass, through ball, short or long dribble)?
- Execution: Evaluate the technical execution of those actions (accuracy, timing, etc.).
This will help paint a clear picture of how well the player adapts to different tactical situations.
7. Mentality
This section focuses on intangible qualities, such as:
- Work rate: How hard does the player work throughout the match? Does their effort remain consistent, or do they drift in and out of the game?
- Leadership: Does the player take responsibility in difficult situations? Do they motivate teammates or lead by example?
- Composure under pressure: How does the player perform in high-pressure moments? Do they make rash decisions, or do they remain calm and composed?
8. Conclusion
Summarize your thoughts on the player’s potential and overall suitability for specific playing styles or systems. This is where you can offer an opinion on how the player fits within the club’s tactical setup:
- Growth potential: How likely will the player improve in key areas?
- Suitability for a system: Does the player excel in possession-based play, or are they more suited to a direct, counter-attacking style?
- Transfer recommendations: Based on their performance, would you recommend signing or further monitoring the player?
Adapting your report to the club’s style
This football scouting template is a strong foundation, but it’s essential to understand that each club takes a unique approach to scouting reports and uses different scouting databases. One of the key skills of a top football scout is adaptability, the ability to tailor reports to the specific requirements of the club you are working with.
Some clubs may value specific metrics more than others or prefer shorter, more concise reports over detailed, data-driven ones. Flexibility in adjusting your report to meet these needs is what will make you stand out as a scout.
In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all football scouting report. The structure and content will depend on the preferences of the organization you are scouting for, so it’s crucial to stay adaptable while maintaining high standards of analysis.
What to read next?
Football Scouting Guide
Chapter overview
Becoming a great football scout is a journey that requires dedication, passion, and continuous learning. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your scouting to the next level, this guide provides you with the essential steps to become not just a scout but a great one.
You can start from the beginning to the end or jump right to the most interesting part.
- Introduction to football scouting
This chapter provides an introduction to football scouting, outlining the key traits and skills necessary to excel in this field and guiding you through the steps to kickstart your career. - The three types of football scouting (data, video, live)
Football scouting involves three key methods: data, video, and live scouting. Each method provides unique insights, and scouts often combine all three to create a comprehensive player assessment. - Football scouting resources (the best blogs, websites, books, podcasts, videos)
A wide range of resources is available for aspiring football scouts, from insightful blogs and podcasts to books and videos that offer expert knowledge on scouting techniques and industry trends. - Football scouting software, tools, and technology
Modern football scouting relies heavily on software and data tools that provide detailed player statistics and video analysis, helping scouts evaluate players more efficiently and accurately. - How do you write great football scouting reports? (tips, templates & examples)
Writing an effective scouting report requires precision, structure, and clarity. Using specific frameworks and templates ensures consistency while focusing on the player’s key performance aspects. - Where and how to find football scouting jobs, vacancies, and internships
Football scouting jobs can be found through various platforms, including club websites, specialized job boards, and networking tools. Internships and freelance opportunities are also on the rise. - Writing a Football Scout CV & Cover Letter: 10 tips
Crafting a standout football scout CV and cover letter requires highlighting relevant experience, technical skills, and a deep understanding of the club or organization to which you are applying.
Ready to take your scouting skills to the next level?
We offer the best and most advanced football scouting courses to prepare you for the field. Master the skills needed to excel in video scouting.
