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Expert insight into professional football scouting, player development, academy football, performance and player pathways.
Football related blog and articles to assist both players and parents — gain the insider knowledge.
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Scouting
What Do Professional Football Scouts Look For in a Player?
Scouts watch far more than goals and skills. Here is what is usually being assessed — and why different clubs can see the same player differently.
9 October 2026 · 2 min read

Scouting
How to Get Scouted in Football: A Practical Guide for Players and Parents
There is no shortcut to being scouted, but there are sensible steps that give a player a better chance of being seen and understood.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Scouting
Football Scouting Reports Explained: What Should a Professional Player Assessment Include?
A useful scouting report is more than a score. Here is what a professional player assessment should contain — and why each part matters.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Scouting
Full Match vs Highlights: What Should You Send to a Football Scout?
Highlights show your best moments. Full-match footage shows how you play. Here is why the difference matters.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read
Parents
My Child Has Been Released From a Football Academy — What Next?
Release is hard, but it is rarely the end of a player's development. Here are practical next steps for families.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Rusty's Insight
What Is the Academy Insider T.I.P.S. Football Assessment?
T.I.P.S. stands for Technique, Insight, Personality and Speed. Here is how each area is assessed and what your Insider Score means.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Player Development
How Often Should a Young Footballer Be Reassessed?
One performance never defines a player. Reassessment shows whether development priorities are actually improving.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Player Development
How to Improve Between Football Matches: Turning Feedback Into a Development Plan
Feedback only helps if it changes what happens next. Here is how to turn it into a practical plan between matches.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read
Performance
Football Fitness Testing: What Can Yo-Yo, Bleep and Speed Tests Tell a Player?
Fitness tests are useful when they are done consistently and read in context. Here is what each one can tell you.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Performance
Football Speed With the Ball vs Without the Ball: Why Both Matter
Being quick is useful. Being quick and in control of the ball is what changes games.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

Parents
What Should Parents Look For in a Football Player Development Programme?
A checklist to help parents judge whether a development programme is right for their child.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read

USA Scholarships
UK Football or a USA Soccer Scholarship? Understanding the Different Player Pathways
Neither route is better for everyone. Here is how the UK pathway and US college soccer compare.
9 October 2026 · 1 min read
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