Live Scouting: Watch the Opponent and Build a Game Plan

Four futsal teams: two play while the other two scout their upcoming opponent with a scouting card (formation, build-up, key players and weaknesses). Then each coaching staff presents a one-minute game plan and faces the scouted team to see if the plan works.

How to play

1. Explain the four sections of the scouting card and assign roles within each team: two analysts, one coach and the players (3 min).
2. Game A vs. B while C scouts A and D scouts B, filling in the card and filming key plays (7 min).
3. Game C vs. D while A scouts C and B scouts D (7 min).
4. Each team prepares its plan against the scouted team: one defensive instruction, one attacking instruction and one player to watch (5 min).
5. Crossover games applying the plan: A vs. C and B vs. D, with one minute beforehand for the coach's talk (10 min).
6. Wrap-up: each team says whether the opponents had scouted them well and which part of the plan was useful (3 min).

Rules

• Reports describe game actions, never physical or personal traits.
• Scouts stand off the court, behind the sideline.
• No slide tackles or contact from behind.
• Recordings are used only in class and deleted at the end.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: serves as lead analyst and presents the report to the team.
• Hearing impairment: the plan is also presented in writing on the card or a whiteboard.
• Autism: assigned a single section of the card with examples of how to fill it in.

Learning goals

• Observe and analyze an opponent's play using tactical criteria.
• Build and communicate a game plan.
• Accept with good sportsmanship how others analyze one's own play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cards: 8
• pinnies: 20
• balls: 4
• goals: 2
• tablets or phones: 4

Teacher tip

Keep the coach's talk to one minute: it forces them to summarize, which is exactly what happens in real games.

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