Vision as a Skill
Enter Marco Verratti.
Midfielder.
Italy.
I watched this talented player on isolated camera as he played live. They tracked him and only him about the field.
Scan, scan, scan.
Eleven scans in a brief sequence in which he did NOT get the ball. His head was on a swivel, continually reading the changing variables in his environment.
The best players collect pertinent data. It is such an easy skill to execute. And yet, so few players do. Every child can scan regardless of speed, size, or stature. In fact, you may not find a single skill with such a high return on investment as scanning.
Here’s what we as coaches can do to start…
- Consider scanning a “fundamental skill.”
- Implement training exercises that require it.
- Detail the relevance of proper body profile/angle.
- Observe it, pause and praise it.
- Celebrate.
None of this is rocket science. However, the simple details make all the difference.
When in doubt watch one of the best.
Marco Verratti.
Midfielder.
Italy.
Reprinted with kind permission from Todd Beane
Founder of TOVO Training and TOVO Academy Barcelona. In TOVO Training, Beane has combined proven pedagogical practices of experts in the field of education with the visionary components of a total football legend into a dynamic and practical training methodology.
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