Scouting Guides

Free resources to help you scout smarter. Written by experienced academy recruitment professionals.

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Talent Identification

Academy & Recruitment

Priority Positions in Football Scouting

How academy scouts use priority positions with age group targeting to focus recruitment. Real Colchester United example: 40% reduction in mismatched reports.

7 min read
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The U7 Coverage Crisis: FA Future Fit 3v3

U7s switch from 5v5 to 3v3 in 2026-27. Same 100 players, 43% more teams to cover. How geographic tracking solves the coverage problem.

9 min read
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U13s Play 9v9 Now: U14 11v11 Delay

Academy scouts lose one year of 11v11 assessment data. How format-agnostic tracking and longitudinal records solve the problem.

8 min read
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No Goalkeepers at U7 3v3: GK Recruitment

U7 3v3 has no GK position. Where do academy scouts find U7 goalkeepers? Fixture type tracking is the answer.

7 min read
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EPPP Compensation Rules Explained

How training compensation works when academies sign grassroots players. Category 1-4 fees, age group rules, and real examples.

8 min read
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Professional Scouting Reports

What makes a professional scouting report. Scout52's 6-factor framework, format-agnostic assessment, and avoiding opinion masquerading as analysis.

7 min read
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How Do Academies Recruit Players?

Inside the talent pipeline. Learn about EPPP categories, the recruitment process, age groups, and what parents need to know.

12 min read
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How to Write a Scouting Report

Professional templates, the four corners model, Scout52's 6-factor system, and real examples of effective player assessments.

10 min read
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Tools & Software

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