What Scouts Look for in Every Soccer Position.

Understanding the Qualities That Matter in Player Development & Recruitment


Whether you’re playing for a local club, competing in high school, or aiming for a college scholarship, it’s important to know what coaches and scouts are really looking for — beyond just talent.


While athleticism and attitude matter in all positions, each role has specific traits and skills that can make a player stand out.


⚠️ Note: This is general guidance based on common scouting criteria and interviews with college and club coaches. Each coach and program may value slightly different qualities.


Goalkeeper (GK)





Key Traits:


  • Excellent reflexes and shot-stopping ability
  • Vocal leadership and clear communication
  • Confidence in 1v1 situations and high balls
  • Strong distribution (throws, punts, and passes)
  • Good footwork and positioning



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Command of the box
  • Composure under pressure
  • Quick recovery and decision-making


Center Back (CB)



Key Traits:


  • Physical strength and aerial dominance
  • Tactical awareness and ability to read the game
  • Clean, confident tackles and clearances
  • Calm under pressure and ability to play out from the back
  • Communication with fullbacks and midfielders



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Positional discipline
  • Ability to organize the defense
  • Composure with the ball under pressing


Full Back / Outside Back (RB/LB)



Key Traits:


  • Speed and stamina
  • Strong 1v1 defending
  • Overlapping runs and accurate crosses
  • Versatility and work rate on both ends of the field



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Recovery runs and defensive discipline
  • Technical ability to transition quickly into attack
  • Support of wingers while maintaining defensive shape


Defensive Midfielder (CDM/6)



Key Traits:


  • Exceptional game-reading and positioning
  • Ball-winning ability
  • Clean, simple passing under pressure
  • Breaks up opposition attacks and starts transitions



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Calmness under pressure
  • Tactical intelligence
  • Ability to dictate tempo from deep


Central Midfielder (CM/Box-to-Box/8)



Key Traits:


  • High work rate and endurance
  • Two-way presence: contributes to attack and defense
  • Accurate short and long passing
  • Decision-making and spatial awareness



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Movement off the ball
  • Vision and connection play
  • Influence on the rhythm of the game


Attacking Midfielder (CAM/10)



Key Traits:


  • Creativity and technical flair
  • Eye for through balls and assists
  • Ability to shoot from distance
  • Quick thinking and change of pace



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Vision and timing of passes
  • Intelligent movement between lines
  • Game-changing moments (goals, assists, key passes)


Wingers (LW/RW)



Key Traits:


  • Explosive speed and dribbling
  • 1v1 attacking skills
  • Ability to deliver accurate crosses
  • Good decision-making in the final third



What Scouts Watch For:


  • Beating defenders with confidence
  • Movement off the ball and tracking back
  • Impact in wide spaces


Striker / Forward (ST/CF/9)



Key Traits:


  • Finishing ability under pressure
  • Positional awareness and off-ball runs
  • Strength and hold-up play
  • Instinct for goalscoring



What Scouts Watch For:


  • First-touch control
  • Movement in the box
  • Conversion rate and timing


General Qualities Coaches Love (All Positions)



  • Coachability – listens, adjusts, and takes feedback
  • Work ethic – gives 100% in games and practice
  • Game IQ – understands positioning and tactics
  • Team attitude – lifts teammates, not just self
  • Consistency – performs reliably week to week