Good question — it’s a simple habit. Scanning means quickly looking around you, over each shoulder, before the ball gets to you — so you already know where your teammates, opponents and space are.

Because you checked early, you don’t have to figure it out with the ball at your feet. You’ve already got a picture, so you get more time and your first touch can go somewhere useful.

Why coach wants it

It’s the Adaptability pillar — reading the game instead of waiting to be told — and it feeds your Confidence: when you have time, you play with your head up instead of panicking.

9:52 PM

Try this

• Take two looks every time the ball is coming to you: one when it’s travelling to your teammate, one just before it reaches you.
• Count them in your head — “one… two” — until it feels automatic.
• Ask yourself before you get it: “If the ball comes now, where’s my first pass?”

Do it in the warm-up and in rondos this week. Coach’s line — “you scanned before you received, that’s why you had time” — that’s exactly the feeling you’re chasing.

9:54 PM

Totally normal to feel that. But here’s what the coaches actually want: mistakes are expected — they’re how you learn. What matters most is your very next action.

Lose the ball? Your job is the reaction — win it back, or get into the next position. Then try the brave pass again the next chance you get. Your confidence should sit on your decisions, not on whether one pass came off.

Play with your head up, take the risk, and let the mistake go. That’s the player they’re building. 💪

9:57 PM