In short
A useful opposition report fits on one page: how they line up, how they attack, how they defend, what they do when they win or lose the ball, their set pieces, their key players, and two or three things your team should do about it. Base it on video of their recent matches, not on memory or the league table.
Where the information comes from
The best source is video of your opponent's last one or two matches. Some leagues share match video between clubs; otherwise ask around, check the club's own channels, or film them yourself when they play nearby. One full match tells you far more than a highlights reel, because you see what they do when nothing exciting happens.
From video you can also get numbers about their players, such as who runs the most and who is quickest, which a GPS vest never gives you about an opponent. See opposition analysis.
The template
| Section | What to write down |
|---|---|
| Line-up | Their usual shape in and out of possession, and who usually starts where |
| How they attack | Build from the back or go long? Which side do they favour? Who makes runs behind? |
| How they defend | Do they press high or sit deep? How high is their back line? Where do gaps appear? |
| When they lose the ball | Press straight away or drop off? How long until they are back in shape? |
| When they win the ball | Break quickly or keep it? Who is the first pass to? |
| Set pieces | Corner and free kick routines, who takes them, who attacks the ball, how they defend them |
| Key players | Their most dangerous players, their quickest, and any weak spot |
| Our plan | Two or three things to do about all of the above, each with a clip |
How to fill it in quickly
Upload their last match
With both team sheets, so their players are named. By the next evening both teams are followed and measured.
Look at their shape
Team shapes on the video show how they line up and how high they defend. See drawing and tactics.
Find their key players
Every named player has a page with his touches and running: who runs most, who is quickest, where he plays. See player by player.
Cut the clips for the team talk
Pick their goals, chances and set pieces, or describe the clips you want in a sentence, and download one video. See the Studio.
Presenting it to the players
Keep it short. Players need to know three things: what the opponent will try to do, where they are weak, and what we will do about it. Show each point with one clip. Give the defenders the clips of the attackers they will face, and the other way round.
For your own team's analysis, see how to analyse a football match.
Questions
What should an opposition analysis include?
Their line-up, how they attack and defend, what they do when they win or lose the ball, their set pieces, their key players, and two or three points for your own plan, each with a clip.
How do I scout an opponent without a scouting budget?
Get video of their last match, from a league video share, their own channels or by filming them yourself, and analyse it the same way as your own match. One full match tells you more than highlights.
Can I get running data about the opposition?
Yes, from video. The opponent's players are in the same picture as yours, so their distance, sprints and top speed are measured the same way.
How long should an opposition report be?
One page for the staff and two or three points with clips for the players. More than that rarely gets used.