Football Scouting Courses
The Home of Talent Identification In Football
As the leading provider of Talent Identification, Opposition Analysis and Technical Scouting in football courses, nationally and abroad, we deliver both online and in-person courses across the UK, Europe, Australia, America, Africa, and the UAE.
Every course is passionately delivered by a qualified, experienced tutor – including elite senior football scouts from the English Premier and Football League. We proudly join forces with numerous Premier League Clubs to deliver unprecedented Talent Identification training, while guiding and supporting thousands of association members.
The PFSA Education’s online and practical portfolio are the only providers exclusively endorsed by Instat, the worlds leading video analysis software to elite clubs in Europe and overseas and CPD accredited.
ENTRy
Foundational courses - 2/3 hours - Online (Self-Paced)
Professional
Classroom, Zoom and Self-Paced Options
Entry
Level: Entry/foundational - Time: 3/4 Hours - Type: Interactive Online Courses (Self-Paced)
Interactive PFSA online courses can be taken in your own time at your own pace and are aimed at providing a foundational to intermediate understanding of either talent identification, opposition scouting, technical scouting or performance analysis. All interactive online courses can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime – through our intuitive Learning Management System.
PFSA Level 1
Opposition Analysis In Football
3/4 Hours - Self Paced - Foundational Level
The PFSA are pleased to announce the ONLINE Level 1 Opposition Analysis In Football course. Developed by a full-time first-team opposition analyst for arguably one of Europe’s greatest teams this past decade. The PFSA Level 1 is aimed at the independent opposition analyst which aims to equip the user with an insight into the industries best practices both within opposition and individual analysis.
The PFSA Opposition Analysis In Football course is more than just a Level 1. It was designed with the PFSA Scouting Network in mind, the UK’s largest independent team of football scouts, to create further detailed reports for our member clubs.
The Level 1 course will provide you with the knowledge to:
- Understand the role of an opposition scout and their setting in the wider context of football
- Explain the tools and technology available to create comprehensive and engaging analysis
- Analyse set pieces and document them in a report
- Understand formations and their impact on gameplay and analysis
- Explain the process of individual analysis and the key points to look out for when analysing players
- Produce a complete opposition and independent analysis based on your new knowledge
PFSA Level 1
Talent Identification In Football
3/4 Hours - Self Paced - Foundational Level
The PFSA Level 1 Talent Identification in Football Course was developed by elite Premier League Football Scouts, Heads of Recruitment and Academy Managers, and touches on all aspects of talent identification.
Unlike other online talent identification courses, the PFSA 1 Talent Identification In Football Course delves much deeper into the profession of football scouting and is the industry-leading online introduction into talent identification.
The 11 module course will equip you with a firm understanding and platform to further develop your knowledge of the talent identification process and what is needed to operate as both a football scout or an elite coach.
The course has been developed in line with the EPPP and is a great stepping stone for a career within football.
Modules include:
- Introducing Talent Identification
- Understanding the EPP
- Talent Identification Predicators
- Football Scouts and Player Reports
- Talent ID Predictors in a Goalkeeper and the Relative Age Effect
- Anthropological Predictors
- Technical Skill Predictors
- Psychological and Sociological Predictors
- Limitations and Importance of Talent Identification
Notes: The PFSA Level 1 in Talent Identification in Football and the Introduction into Football Scouting DO NOT provide the necessary skills needed to operate as a football scout in line with the EPPP. Please see the 2-day practical PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification in Football Course to further your knowledge of Talent Identification in Football and to ultimately operate as a Football Scout within a Category-A club.
The PFSA Level 1 Talent Identification in Football course is based 100% online. Once you’ve made your payment, you’ll receive your assigned username and password within 24 hours. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder, as these emails can often get caught by filters. We recommend you take the course on a PC or Mac with the latest version of Google Chrome installed for optimal speed and ease of use.
PFSA Level 1
Technical Scouting In Football
3/4 Hours - Self Paced - Foundational Level
The PFSA are pleased to announce a ground breaking new online course within technical scouting. Developed by a senior consultant to the likes of Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid to name a few, the new Level 1 in Technical Scouting delves deep within the profession.
What is Technical Scouting?
Technical scouting is an approach to player evaluation which draws on information technology and data science. It is not a replacement for traditional scouting. Instead, it makes new kinds of information available to scouting teams, including objective measures of performance.
Technical scouting also creates new possibilities for scouting teams. For example, while the coverage of a traditional scouting team is limited by its resources, technical scouting methods can be used to screen a virtually unlimited number of players, all over the world.
Although technical scouting uses advanced mathematical techniques in the background, the basic principles are straightforward. Even those with little mathematical knowledge can use technical scouting insights to evaluate players.
By the end of this course you will know:
- The key differences between technical and traditional scouting
- The benefits of technical scouting for player evaluation
- The tools and techniques used in technical scouting
- The different types of player performance data
- How data analysis is used in recruitment
- The four stages of the technical player-recruitment workflow
PFSA Level 1
Performance Analysis In Football
3/4 Hours - Self Paced - Foundational/Intermediate Level
The PFSA are pleased to announce our new Level 1 Performance Analysis in Football course. Endorsed by Instat and created by current industry leading experts, it’s time to broaden your knowledge and dive into the world of performance analysis.
What is Performance Analysis?
Performance analysis is an emerging discipline in football. It uses data science and technological tools to evaluate the performance of players in an objective way. Although it relies primarily on quantitative data, performance analysis also draws on more qualitative methods, such as video analysis of tactics and formations.
The aim of performance analysis is to provide an overarching assessment of performance to help develop an understanding of actions that can inform the decision-making process. Analysis is undertaken to optimize performance, support the coaching process, improve player performance and help deliver tactical insights to help win football matches. Opposition analysis is based around the same principles but focusses on the identification of opposition strengths, weaknesses and tactical approach. Analysis is simply another extension to the coaching arm.
What will you learn:
- Analysis and its origins
- The role of an analyst
- A Performance analysts toolkit
- Analysis Software – who’s in the market
- Coding – introduction and template ideas
- Introduction to telestration – bring your videos to life
- Data, metrics and visual presentation ideas
- Performance metrics
- Analysis workflows
- Opposition analysis
- Matchday analysis
- Post match analysis
The PFSA Level 1 Performance Analysis in Football course is perfect for both budding and current analysts, as well as scouts looking to expand their toolkits – it’s the most comprehensive analysis course currently on the market. For all you football fanatics out there wanting to get a better understanding of the inner workings of professional clubs – we’ve got you covered.
Modules 1/2
- What is Performance Analysis?
- The Evolution of Performance Analysis
- Performance Analysis vs. Data Analysis
- Organisation of an Analysis Department
- Technological Processes of Analysis
- Audiovisual Processes
- Introduction to Coding
- Introduction to Telestration
Modules 3/4
- Data Science and Statistics
- Reliability Testing
- Databasing
- Data Visualisation
- External Data Providers
- Metrics of Performance
- Performance Analysis Workflows
- Training Analysis
- Pre and Post-Match Analysis
- Live-Match Analysis
PFSA Introduction Into Football Scouting
3/4 Hours - Self Paced - Foundational Level
The PFSA Introduction into Football Scouting Course is aimed at those thinking about a career as a Football Scout. The course will delve into key areas vitally important to football scouting. Below you will find a number of topics which the course addresses.
Modules include:
- The Aim and Objectives of the PFSA
- What is a Football Scout
- Skills Required for Football Scouting
- Player and Tactical Scouts
- How Do Football Scouts Search For Talent
- Match and Player Reporting
- Importance of Scouting
- Talent Identification In Football
- Football Club Development Centres
- How Do I Become A Professional Football Scout
Please note the completion of the PFSA Introduction Into Football Scouting Course does not equip you with the skills necessary in order to become a Football Scout. The PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification in Football Course is aimed at those seriously looking at pursuing a career in football scouting or furthering their knowledge of Talent Identification (See below).
PFSA Level 1
INTRO INTO FOOTBALL INTERMEDIARY
3/4 Hours - Self Paced - Foundational Level
The PFSA is pleased to announce the launch of an Introduction Into Football Intermediary. This course has been developed by Professional Football Intermediaries representing players in the Premier and Football League and aims to give an insight into the World of an intermediary/agent.
- The Origin of Football Intermediaries
- The Role of a Football Intermediary
- Working With Players and Clubs
- How Do Football Scouts Search For Talent
- Working As An Intermediary
- Registering as a Football Intermediary
- What to do next
All new users of the Introduction Into Football Intermediary Course will receive exclusive access to Instat. The PFSA are proud to partner with one of the markets leading analysis platforms used by Arsenal, Manchester United and many more.
Once you have registered, a username and password will be emailed directly within 24 hours. All PFSA Online Courses are best operated using a PC or Mac running Google Chrome.
Professional
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Time: Delivered over sessions or taken at your own time at your own pace
Type: Online (Zoom), Classroom based or 100% Self-Paced
Below is a list of our industry-leading portfolio of Level 2 and above scouting and analysis courses. Several scouting courses are tutor-led and are delivered by an expert tutor and delivered either in-person through classroom based teaching or powered by Zoom and delivered online. The PFSA currently offer three tutor-led courses, the PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football, Level 3 Advanced Reporting and the Level 2 Opposition Analysis In Football. We also have recently launched the brand new 100% Online and Self-Paced Level 2 Technical Scouting In Football course.
Good news, we now offer all practical courses as an online option, all of which are CPD accredited and exclusively endorsed by Instat including the industry-leading Level 2 Talent Identification In Football, Level 2 Opposition Analysis in Football, Level 3 Advanced Reporting and the new Level 2 Technical Scouting In Football course.
PFSA Level 2
Talent Identification
INDUSTRY-STANDARD - 3 Options - Classroom, Zoom or Self-Paced
The PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification in Football Course is an industry leading, internationally recognised CPD accredited certification by the PFSA and our most popular option. The PFSA Level 2 has been taken by many ex-professional footballers and current Heads of Recruitment to further their knowledge of Talent Identification and is the only Level 2 across the globe that is confidently and exclusively endorsed by Instat, the world-leading provider of scouting analysis software to elite clubs across the Globe.
The PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football course is also delivered as part of several Universities syllabus including UCFB and is used privately within clubs to certify and train their football scouts.
The PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football course can be taken either online or as a practical session. However, please note that due to COVID-19 practical sessions are postponed until at least December.
Delivery, Dates and Costs
Delivery: 2 Days (Saturday and Sunday) (Tutor-led)
Time: 16 hours (9am-5pm both days)
Price: £400
Classroom-based sessions are excellent for those who prefer to learn in a practical fashion. Courses are delivered primarily in London and Manchester, however we travel the globe putting on our Level 2 to clubs around the world.
Available Dates:
24th and 25th July at the Hive, London
9am till 5pm (GMT – Saturday and Sunday)
Example:
Delivery: 3 Sessions (Tutor-led – Zoom)
Time: 3 Sessions x 4 hours (12 hours)
Price: £290
The online PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football course, will be delivered over 3 sessions within 7 days. There will be 3 core sessions which will delve into all 4 modules with homework and assessments to complete in your own time during the sessions.
For instance:
Option 1 Week 1:
Saturday: 9am – 1pm – Module 1/2
Sunday: 9am – 1pm – Module – 3/4
Monday: 6pm – 9pm – Module 5
Available Dates:
Session 1: July 24th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: July 25th – 3pm/7pm| Session 3: July 27th – 6pm/9pm (LIMITED)
Session 1: Aug 28th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Aug 29th – 9am/1pm | Session 3: Aug 31st – 6pm/9pm (LIMITED)
Session 1: Sep 25th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Sept 26th – 3pm/7pm| Session 3: Sep 28th – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Session 1: Oct 30th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Oct 31st – 9am/1pm | Session 3: Nov 2nd – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Session 1: Nov 27th 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Nov 28th – 3pm/7pm | Session 3: Nov 30th – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Session 1: Dec 18th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Dec 19th – 9am/1pm | Session 3: Dec 21st – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Session 1: Jan 29th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Jan 30th – 9am/1pm | Session 3: Feb 1st – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Session 1: Feb 26th 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Feb 27th – 3pm/7pm | Session 3: Mar 1st – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Session 1: Mar 26th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Mar 27th – 9am/1pm | Session 3: Mar 29tht – 6pm/9pm (NEW)
Example:
Delivery: Self-paced (Immediate and flexible start)
Time: 6/12 Hours
Price: £200
The new PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification self-paced option can be taken in your own time and at your own pace. It is perfect for those who actively work or play on the weekend and can not commit to classroom or Zoom based sessions.
The PFSA Self-paced Level 2 Talent Identification course does not involve any tutors or active users for networking purposes. These are unique to the classroom and online Zoom based courses.
Example
Below is the list of guests and their allocated online sessions from above. The guests will spend time with users from that particular course. All guests will share their insight into the professional game, hints and tips and advice on kickstarting a career in football. You will also be joined by football scouts at all levels already attending the course.
- Andy Howe/AFC Bournemouth
- Head of Domestic 1st Team Scouting
- Webinar: Feb 10th
- Steve Jones/Cardiff City
- Head of Opposition Scouting
- Webinar: Feb 10th
- Rich Bredice/RSC Anderlecht
- 1st Team Performance Analyst
- Webinar: Feb 10th
- Bruno Costa/SJ Earthquakes
- Head of Scouting
- Webinar: Feb 10th
Unlike other talent identification offerings, the PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football Course was developed and is delivered by industry leading elite talent identification experts with Premier League experience.
Level 2 Modules:
- Modules 1/3 - Talent Identification In Football
- Talent Indicators and Early Predictors of Talent
- Performer Profiling
- Successful Talent ID Programmes and Systems for Football
- Creating / Implementing Talent ID Programmes
- Understand How Sporting Talent Is Developed and Maintained
- The Future of Talent ID in Football
- Modules 4/5 - Match, Team & Individual Analysis
- Role of a Scout
- Scouting Protocols
- Match Preparation
- Video Analysis
- Individual Player Reporting
- Match Reporting
- Team Formations
- Player Assessments and Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses of a Player
Football Clubs who have attended the courses include: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, AFC Bournemouth, FC Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Celtic, Aberdeen, Stoke City, Burnley, Bolton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, Coventry, Bury, Reading, Blackpool and many more.
New and experienced football scouts have travelled from all over the World to attend the courses – which include America, Australia, Cambodia, Mexico, Portugal, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Columbia, Brazil, Cyprus, Scotland, Ireland, France, Austria, Holland, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Gibraltar, Turkey, Lithuania and many more.
The PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football course is perfect for both scouts who wish to further their knowledge with an accredited certification in Talent Identification and those looking to enter a career in football scouting.
All new customers onto the PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football Course will receive exclusive access to Instat. The PFSA is proud to partner with one of the markets leading analysis platforms used by Arsenal, Manchester United and many more.
PFSA
Scouting Network
PFSA Support Phase
As a PFSA Certified Level 2 Football Scout you are entitled to access onto the PFSA Scouting Network. The PFSA Scouting Network have partnered with several clubs within the football league and non-league and is the UK’s largest independent active scouting network. Once you are certified, you can undertake first-team assignments generating both individual and match reports as high as the Championship. This is a unique service which gives you the opportunity to showcase your talent of which clubs use the PFSA Scouting Network exclusively to recruit new football scouts.
You can now spread the cost through instalments and book your place onto the PFSA Level 2 Talent Identification In Football Course, find out more here.
PFSA Level 2
Technical Scouting In Football
Online selfpaced - 5/6 Hours
The PFSA are pleased to announce the arrival of the hotly anticipated PFSA Level 2 Technical Scouting in Football course. Developed by leading Heads of Technical Scouting at Premier League clubs, the new online course is 100% interactive and can be taken in your own time at your own pace.
The new Level 2 Technical Scouting course will be applied learning, which means you will be taught industry best-practices in setting up a professional workflow.
Major advancements in information technology and numerical data science have recently transformed football player evaluation and the scouting process with clubs now investing thousands within this process. These quantitatively-based information systems complement and build upon existing forms of scouting to help provide a complete and more thorough player assessment.
Learning outcomes:
- Identify recruitment needs within your club
- Build your workflow and make best use of video
- Effectively utilise Key Performance Indicator Metrics (KPI's)
- Obtain and Interpret performance data
- Create video archives on targeted players
- Effectively report, select and monitor key players
- Monitor performance by utilising data
Format:
- The PFSA Level 2 Technical Scouting in Football course is delivered 100% online.
- This course is available to be started anytime and completed at your own pace.
- The assessment for this course will consist of satisfactory completion of the online learning tasks and exercises.
We are excited to announce the new PFSA Level 2 Technical Scouting in Football course is now available.
PFSA Level 2
Opposition Analysis
ONLINE - Leading analysis course - Tutor Led (Via zoom)
Designed and developed by industry-leading professionals at first-team level. The PFSA Level 2 Opposition Analysis in Football course is the only scouting analysis programme officially endorsed by Instat, the worlds leading video analysis software to elite clubs in Europe and overseas.
The practical and new ONLINE PFSA Level 2 Opposition Analysis in Football course takes the online Level 1 much further by delving into assessed match reporting.
The new Level 2 is a result of our groundbreaking work on the PFSA Scouting Network of which is exclusive for PFSA certified football scouts. Both the PFSA Level 1 and 2 in Opposition Analysis will give you access onto the PFSA Scouting Network, which will give you an opportunity to generate detailed reports for first-team management.
The Level 2 Opposition Analysis is an applied certification, meaning you are asked to analyse a real game.
Please note the online PFSA Level 1 Opposition Analysis In Football course is included within this course and can be taken online prior to attending.
Please note due to COVID-19 we have decided to take the PFSA Level 2 online, which gives our users the opportunity to network and learn from professionals overseas
Units include:
- Module 1 & 2
- Understanding the role, aims and expectations of a professional opposition scout.
- Evolution of opposition scouting
- Opposition analysis and the recruitment workflow
- Modern scouting developments and the use of metrics
- Understanding systems of play
- Analysing a teams formation
- Analysing a teams style of play and how they are influenced
- Understanding levels of performance and expectations
- Module 3, 4 and 5
- Set-plays and tools for application
- Breaking down set-plays
- Wide-angled match analysis
- Compiling an effective opposition report
- Using software, analysis tools and data applications
- The future of scouting
Upcoming online sessions:
- Session 1: July 24th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: July 25th – 9am/1pm (LIMITED)
- Session 1: Aug 28th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Aug 29th – 3pm/7pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Sep 25th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Sept 26th – 9am/1pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Oct 30th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Oct 31st – 3pm/7pmV (NEW)
- Session 1: Nov 27th 9am/1pm | Session 2: Nov 28th – 9am/1pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Dec 18th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Dec 19th – 3pm/7pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Jan 29th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Jan 30th – 3pm/7pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Feb 26th 9am/1pm | Session 2: Feb 26th 9am/1pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Mar 26th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Mar 27th – 9am/1pm (NEW)
PFSA Level 2
Performance Analysis In Football
ONLINE self paced - 5/6 Hours
We are pleased to announce the arrival of the new PFSA Level 2 Performance Analysis In Football course. Created by an award-winning e-learning design agency with content provided by an active Head of Performance Analysis for a top Premiership club and a Programme Lead (Performance Analysis) for a leading UK sporting University.
What will you learn:
- Use data and video to identify and understand performance issues
- Report insights to coaches and players
- Collect feedback and advise on how to effectively improve performance
- How to effectively function as part of a complex sporting organisation
- Use data and video to analyse upcoming opposition
- Contribute to their team’s performance on match day
The course is split into 5 sections:
- Post-Match Analysis
- Reporting and Feedback
- Working at a Club
- Pre-Match Analysis
- Match Day
Course structure:
The PFSA Level 2 Performance Analysis In Football course is 100% online and self-paced, meaning you can complete this course in your own time and at your own pace. Expect to spend 8/16 hours completing the course, which will include separate research.
PFSA Level 3
Advanced Reporting
ONLINE - Tutor Led (via Zoom)
The PFSA Advanced Reporting course provides an in-depth insight into reporting while exploring the power of evolving technology. We deliver this industry leading football analysis course at a range of locations nationwide and abroad.
Due to COVID-19 we have decided to take the industry-leading Level 3 online, which opens up a great deal of opportunity to now network with new and experienced professional football scouts from overseas.
The Level 3 course will provide you with the knowledge to:
- Complete a detailed match report
- Discuss different types of match report analysis
- Review different formations the opposition may use
- Explain and produce a completed full team player report
- Complete a detailed review of a teams strengths and weaknesses to beat and nullify the opposition
- Demonstrate how to complete set play reviews, both attacking and defending
- Review of computer software for recording set plays and writing report
Upcoming sessions:
All dates and times are in GMT
- Session 1: Aug 7th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Aug 8th – 9am/1pm (LIMITED)
- Session 1: Sept 4th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Sept 5th – 3pm/7pm (LIMITED)
- Session 1: Oct 2nd – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Oct 3rd – 9am/1pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Nov 6th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Nov 7th – 3pm/7pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Dec 4th – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Dec 5th – 9am/1pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Jan 1st – 9am/1pm | Session 2: Jan 2nd – 9am/1pm (NEW)
- Session 1: Feb 5th – 3pm/7pm | Session 2: Feb 6th – 3pm/7pm (NEW)
Assessments:
The PFSA online course will be held over two days with homework throughout, including assessments enabling you to put all the theory into action. You will be given access to our partner’s platform, Instat, the world-leading providers of football analysis software to elite European clubs, where you will analyse a game and provide recommendations on players.
You will be given access onto Instat’s platform, used by most of Europe’s top professional clubs to generate your reports.