How to Get Scouted by a Football Club

Every footballer dreams of being discovered by a football club. Whether you are an academy player, a talented non-league footballer, an ambitious amateur or a player looking for a move, getting yourself noticed by the right people can be difficult.

The good news is that you don't necessarily need to play for a famous academy or have thousands of followers on social media to attract attention.

Football scouts watch matches at every level of the game. Professional clubs, academies, semi-professional teams and non-league clubs are constantly looking for players who could improve their squads.

The key is understanding how football scouting works, what scouts look for and how you can make it easier for clubs to discover you.

What Does a Football Scout Look For?

A scout isn't simply looking for the player who scores the most goals or performs the most impressive trick.

Different clubs have different requirements, and a player who is perfect for one team may not necessarily be right for another.

When watching a player, a scout may consider several areas.

Technical ability

This includes things such as:

First touch
Passing
Ball control
Dribbling
Crossing
Shooting
Heading
Tackling
Technique under pressure

Your technical ability will naturally be assessed in relation to your position.

A central midfielder, for example, will be judged differently from a centre-forward or goalkeeper.

Tactical understanding

Scouts also look at how well you understand the game.

Do you know where you should be when your team has the ball?

Do you understand when to press, when to hold your position and when to make a run?

Can you recognise danger before it develops?

Good tactical awareness can sometimes be overlooked by players because it is less obvious than scoring a spectacular goal, but it is an important part of scouting.

Physical attributes

Depending on your position and level, scouts may consider:

Pace
Acceleration
Strength
Stamina
Agility
Balance
Jumping ability
Physical development

However, being the fastest or strongest player on the pitch doesn't automatically make you a good footballer.

Scouts assess physical attributes alongside your technical and tactical qualities.

Mentality and attitude

This is an area that young players sometimes underestimate.

A scout may watch how you react when you lose the ball, make a mistake or concede a goal.

Do you continue working?

Do you encourage your teammates?

Do you listen to your manager?

Do you show concentration for the entire match?

A player with a good attitude and willingness to learn can be attractive to clubs because football development doesn't stop when a player reaches a certain age.

You Don't Have to Play Professional Football to Get Noticed

One of the biggest misconceptions about scouting is that scouts only watch professional academies.

Football exists at hundreds of levels across the UK.

Scouts can watch:

Academy football
Youth football
University football
College football
Semi-professional football
Non-league football
Women's football
Grassroots football
Local representative teams

There are talented players playing football every weekend who may never have been properly assessed by a scout.

This is one reason why non-league and lower-level football can be particularly interesting for recruitment.

A player who is performing well at one level may have the attributes to progress further.

Play Regularly at the Highest Level You Can

If you want to get scouted, playing competitive football is important.

Try to play at the highest level available to you where you are also going to get meaningful minutes.

It is not always beneficial to join a team simply because it has a bigger name if you are unlikely to play.

Regular competitive football gives you opportunities to develop and gives scouts more opportunities to assess you.

If you are consistently performing well, your reputation can gradually grow within your local football network.

Make Sure Your Club Knows You Want to Progress

Don't be afraid to tell your manager or coach that you want to progress.

Your manager may know coaches, scouts or clubs looking for players.

They may also be able to recommend you for trials or introduce you to people involved in recruitment.

Football is a relationship-driven industry, and a good recommendation from someone who has worked with you can be valuable.

However, always remain professional.

Don't constantly ask your manager why scouts haven't signed you or become frustrated if opportunities don't immediately appear.

Concentrate on performing well.

Attend Trials and Open Trials

Trials can provide an opportunity to demonstrate your ability directly to a club.

Keep an eye on club websites and social media for trial opportunities, particularly during periods when clubs are recruiting.

Trials can take different forms.

You might attend:

An open trial
A private trial
An academy assessment
A training session
A recruitment camp
A trial arranged through a coach or scout

Remember that being invited to a trial doesn't guarantee a contract.

Treat every opportunity professionally and use it as a chance to demonstrate your ability.

Create a Good Football CV

A football CV can make it easier for clubs and scouts to understand who you are.

It doesn't need to be complicated.

Include relevant information such as:

Personal information

Name
Age
Location
Position
Preferred foot
Height, where relevant

Football history

Current club
Previous clubs
Academy experience
Representative football
University or college football
Honours and achievements

Playing information

Position
Secondary positions
Playing style
Strengths
Current level

Contact information

Provide an appropriate way for a club or scout to contact you.

If you are under 18, involving a parent or guardian is sensible when dealing with clubs or scouts.

Video Can Help

Video has become an important part of modern football recruitment.

A short video can give a scout an initial idea of your technical ability and playing style before deciding whether to watch you in person.

However, don't rely entirely on a highlight reel.

A five-minute video showing only your best moments doesn't necessarily demonstrate how you perform throughout a match.

If possible, have full-match footage available as well.

A good player profile might therefore include:

A short highlight video
Full-match footage
Your playing position
Your football CV
Your current club
Your contact or representative details

This allows a scout to investigate further if they are interested.

Register With Player Recruitment Platforms

There are various football recruitment platforms and scouting networks where players can make themselves available to clubs and scouts.

The important thing is to use reputable services and understand exactly who will receive your information.

At The Head Scout, we are developing our own Players Looking for Clubs service to give players another opportunity to make their details available to people working within football.

The aim is not to promise that every registered player will receive a trial or contract.

Instead, it provides another route for players to make their football profile visible and potentially put themselves in front of people looking for players.

Don't Ignore Non-League Football

If your ultimate ambition is to play professional football, don't automatically dismiss non-league football.

The non-league game is an important part of the English football pyramid and contains players with considerable ability.

Many players have progressed through the levels after performing consistently in non-league football.

Playing regularly, developing physically and demonstrating that you can perform against experienced players can help you progress.

It can also give scouts a chance to assess you in competitive football rather than simply watching you at a trial.

Be Realistic About Your Position

One of the biggest mistakes players can make is believing that they have to play in only one position.

You should understand your preferred position, but also consider whether you can contribute elsewhere.

For example, a full-back who can comfortably play on either side of the defence may offer additional value.

A midfielder who can play both centrally and out wide may also be useful to a manager.

Understanding your strengths and being honest about where you can contribute can make your player profile more useful to clubs.

Don't Change Your Game Just to Impress a Scout

If you know a scout is watching, it can be tempting to try something spectacular every time you receive the ball.

This can have the opposite effect.

A scout wants to see how you actually play.

Make the right decision.

Pass when the pass is on.

Take your opponent on when appropriate.

Track your runner.

Work for your team.

If you make a mistake, recover and continue playing.

Scouts are generally interested in understanding the complete player rather than watching someone attempt to produce a highlight reel.

Build Your Reputation Over Time

Getting noticed by a football club rarely happens overnight.

You may have one excellent match and attract attention, but more often scouts want to see evidence that you can perform consistently.

Keep working on your weaknesses.

Listen to your coaches.

Watch football and learn from players in your position.

Look after your fitness.

Maintain a professional attitude.

And continue playing competitive football.

Your reputation can gradually develop through your performances and the people you meet within football.

Be Careful When Dealing With People Promising Trials or Contracts

Unfortunately, anyone looking to progress in football should be careful about people making unrealistic promises.

No genuine scout can guarantee that a club will sign you simply because you pay a fee or submit your details.

Be particularly cautious if somebody promises you a professional contract without properly assessing you.

Before paying for a service, understand exactly what you are receiving.

Ask questions.

Check who you are dealing with.

And remember that no legitimate service can guarantee that a football club will offer you a contract.

Can The Head Scout Help Me Find a Club?

The Head Scout is developing a dedicated Players Looking for Clubs service for footballers who want to make their details available to clubs and football contacts.

Players will be able to provide information about their position, location, playing experience and the type of opportunity they are looking for.

Where appropriate, player details may then be considered when clubs or football contacts are looking for players.

This does not guarantee a trial, transfer or contract. The purpose is to create another route for players to make themselves visible within the football network.

If you are looking for your next football opportunity, you can register your details through the Players Looking for Clubs section of The Head Scout.

Getting Scouted Is About More Than Talent

Talent is obviously important, but getting noticed by a football club involves much more than simply being a good player.

You need to make yourself visible.

Play regularly.

Perform consistently.

Build relationships.

Create a professional football profile.

Take opportunities when they arise.

And keep improving.

There are thousands of footballers across the UK looking for their next opportunity. The players who give clubs enough information to understand who they are, where they play and what they can offer may have a better chance of getting noticed.

You never know who might be watching.

If you are a footballer looking for your next opportunity, visit The Head Scout's Players Looking for Clubs section and register your details today.