Why decision-making matters (and how to train it)
Good decisions in soccer come from a repeatable habit: scan → choose → act. Scanning gives you information, choosing narrows it to a simple option, and acting means committing with the right tempo. This chapter focuses on practical cues you can use every session so decisions become automatic under pressure.
A simple decision loop
- Scan: collect quick snapshots of teammates, opponents, and space.
- Choose: pick one of three quick options (turn, pass, protect/set back).
- Act: execute immediately; avoid “half-decisions” (starting to turn, then stopping).
(1) Scanning routine: before receiving, during approach, after first touch
Scanning is not staring. It is a series of short looks that answer specific questions. Use this routine every time you might receive the ball.
Phase A: Look before receiving (early scan)
Goal: know your best option before the ball arrives.
- Check both shoulders: one look to the ball side, one look away from the ball side.
- Identify: (1) nearest defender, (2) nearest teammate option, (3) open space you could move into.
- Decide a “Plan A” and “Plan B”: Plan A is your preferred action; Plan B is your safe fallback if pressure arrives.
Quick self-talk cue: Pressure? Option? Space?
Phase B: Scan during approach (late scan)
Goal: update your plan as the ball travels and defenders move.
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- One last shoulder check as the pass is coming.
- Read the defender’s speed: are they closing fast or holding?
- Spot the next pass line: where is the easiest teammate to connect with in one or two touches?
Coaching point: your late scan should be short and timed so you still see the ball arrive.
Phase C: Scan after first touch (confirmation scan)
Goal: confirm the next action immediately after contact.
- As the ball leaves your foot on the first touch, lift your eyes to confirm the next pass/space.
- If Plan A is gone, switch instantly to Plan B (do not pause on the ball).
| When you scan | What you’re trying to learn | What it helps you do |
|---|---|---|
| Before receiving | Pressure + options | Choose early |
| During approach | Defender speed + pass lane | Adjust your plan |
| After first touch | Confirmation | Play fast |
(2) The three quick options: turn, pass, or protect/set back
To simplify decisions, limit your choices to three. You can always expand later, but these three cover most moments.
Option 1: Turn
Choose “turn” when: you have space behind you or the defender is not tight.
- Trigger: you scanned and saw open space or a forward teammate run you can face.
- Action: first touch takes you into space; second action is either carry forward or play a forward pass.
Option 2: Pass
Choose “pass” when: a teammate is clearly available and the pass improves your team’s position (forward, wide, or to switch play).
- Trigger: you saw a clean passing lane on your scan.
- Action: first touch sets the pass; play quickly to beat pressure.
Option 3: Protect / Set back
Choose “protect/set back” when: pressure is tight and turning would likely lose the ball.
- Trigger: defender is close enough to tackle if you turn, or you received with your back to pressure.
- Action: use your body to shield and play a simple set-back to a supporting teammate, then move to offer again.
Rule of thumb: if you cannot clearly turn or pass forward safely, protect and connect backward/sideways to keep possession.
(3) Recognizing pressure: time and space indicators
Pressure is not just “someone near you.” It is about how much time and space you have to act.
Time indicators (how fast you must play)
- Fast-closing footsteps: defender sprinting at you means you likely have 1–2 touches.
- Defender’s body leaning forward: they are committing to tackle; play earlier.
- Teammate’s pass speed: a hard pass reduces your time to look again; rely on your early scan.
Space indicators (where you can go)
- Distance to nearest defender: if they are within a step, assume “tight pressure.”
- Open shoulder: if the side you want to turn into is blocked, turning is high risk.
- Passing lane width: if the lane is narrow and a defender can intercept, choose a safer connection.
Practical pressure categories
| Category | What it looks like | Best default choice |
|---|---|---|
| No pressure | Defender far; you can lift your head | Turn or forward pass |
| Soft pressure | Defender approaching but not tight | Pass quickly or turn into space |
| Tight pressure | Defender within tackling distance | Protect/set back or one-touch pass |
(4) Risk management: safe pass vs forward pass vs dribble
Smart players manage risk based on field position, pressure, and team shape. The goal is not “always safe” or “always forward,” but choosing the right risk at the right moment.
Option A: Safe pass (keep possession)
Use when: you are under tight pressure, your team is stretched, or losing the ball would be dangerous.
- Examples: set back to a supporting teammate; sideways pass to reset; one-touch bounce pass.
- Key habit: play safe, then move immediately to offer a new angle.
Option B: Forward pass (break lines)
Use when: you have time, the lane is clear, and the receiver can face forward or play the next action quickly.
- Checklist before you play it: (1) can it be intercepted? (2) does it put a teammate under worse pressure? (3) does it create an advantage (space, numbers, or a shot chance)?
Option C: Dribble (carry to commit)
Use when: you have space to drive into, or you can draw a defender to free a teammate.
- Good cue: if no pass improves the situation and you have open grass, carry the ball to force a reaction.
- Stop cue: if a second defender arrives and your head is down, connect with a pass before you get trapped.
Simple risk ladder
Think of decisions as a ladder from low to high risk. Under pressure, stay low; with time and space, climb.
Low risk: set back / sideways pass → Medium: forward pass → Higher: turn into traffic / dribble through pressure(5) Communication: verbal and non-verbal signals
Communication speeds up decisions because it reduces uncertainty. Use short, consistent messages and clear body language.
Verbal cues (keep them short)
- “Man on!” pressure is tight; protect or play one-touch.
- “Time!” no immediate pressure; you can turn or look for a forward option.
- “Turn!” space behind; receiver can face forward.
- “Set!” play it back first time or after one touch.
- “Switch!” far side is open; look to change the point of attack.
Non-verbal cues
- Pointing: point to the space you want the pass played into, not just to your feet.
- Checking to the ball: a quick movement toward the passer shows availability and can pull a defender.
- Open body shape: show your teammate you can receive facing forward (hips and shoulders angled).
- Eye contact: a quick glance can confirm the next action without extra touches.
Decision-based activities (to build scanning and choices)
These activities force you to scan and decide before the ball arrives. Keep the intensity moderate at first, then increase speed and pressure.
Activity 1: Numbered targets (call a number before receiving)
Setup: Place 4–6 small gates or targets around a grid and label them with numbers (1–6). One passer, one receiver, optional defender.
How it works (step-by-step):
- Receiver starts in the middle and must scan.
- Coach (or passer) calls a number before the pass is played.
- Receiver must receive and connect the next action toward that numbered target (pass through gate, dribble through gate, or play to a teammate near it).
- Progression: call the number later (as the ball travels) to force faster late scanning.
Coaching focus: early scan (find targets), late scan (confirm pressure), quick choice (turn/pass/set).
Activity 2: Color cone cues for turning direction
Setup: Two colored cones (e.g., red on left, blue on right) behind the receiver. Passer in front. Optional passive defender.
How it works (step-by-step):
- As the pass is played, coach shows or calls a color.
- Receiver must scan, then take the first touch to turn toward that color side.
- If the called side is “blocked” by a defender (progression), receiver must instantly choose Plan B (set back or pass away).
Progressions: add a second defender; reduce space; limit touches to 2.
Activity 3: Small-sided rules to force faster decisions
Format: 3v3 to 5v5 in a small area with goals or end zones.
- Limited touches: 2-touch for everyone, or 3-touch for one “pivot” player only.
- Bonus for switching play: extra point if a goal comes after the ball moves from one wide channel to the other.
- Mandatory scan trigger: before receiving, players must call out a teammate’s name or a number on a cone (simple proof they looked).
Coaching focus: recognize pressure early, choose one of the three options, and communicate constantly.
Post-game reflection prompts (use after each game)
Right after play, ask these questions to turn experience into learning. Keep answers short and specific.
- What did you see? (Where was pressure? Where was space? Who was open?)
- What option was available? (Turn, pass, or protect/set back?)
- What touch would have helped? (A touch into space, a set-up touch for a pass, or a touch to shield?)
- When did you scan? (Before, during approach, after first touch?)
- What will you do next time? (One specific habit: “one more shoulder check,” “play earlier,” “use Plan B faster.”)
