Introduction

Perception is one of the most decisive skills in order to improve our players’ performance on the pitch. A player’s ability to scan, gather information, and understand the game situation determines the quality of their decisions. While perception is a general skill that all players must develop, as they grow older the specific information each position needs to process is not the same. Understanding these position-based details is crucial to helping players make faster and more effective decisions during competition. In this article we will analyze some of the most relevant perceptions skills for some of the positions.

Holding Midfielders: Structure & Passing Lanes

For holding midfielders, perception revolves around balance and structure. They must constantly be aware of the positioning of teammates, ensuring proper occupation of central spaces while also identifying far options that could accelerate play. When the ball is near, scanning for passing lanes and anticipating possible last-line imbalances become essential. Their ability to link collective structure with individual decision-making allows the team to maintain stability while progressing the ball forward.

Advanced Midfielders: Adapt Role to each Situation

Advanced midfielders often operate in a dual role, sometimes behaving like classic midfielders and other times like second strikers. This requires flexibility in their scanning habits. In deeper phases or against a medium block, they need to perceive inner structures and provide adequate support to the ball holder.

Higher up the pitch, perception shifts toward recognizing diagonal or vertical runs, exploiting gaps in the defensive line, and synchronizing movements with strikers. Their challenge is to balance these two “identities” seamlessly within the flow of the game.

Wingers: Timing and Spaces to Attack

For wingers, perception skills are closely linked to timing and space to attack. When the ball is far, they must adjust the body position of the ball holder, the direct opponent, and even the nearest center back to prepare the most effective movement. With the ball closer, recognizing solutions—such as whether to attack space inside or stay wide—becomes key. During ball-rolling moments, their awareness of direct opponents and potential coverage helps them decide whether to dribble, combine, or restart the play. By aligning their perception with the team’s attacking structure, wingers can turn small advantages into a game-changer.

Conclusion

Although every player needs strong perception skills, the demands vary significantly by position. Holding midfielders prioritize structure, advanced midfielders juggle between support and deep movements, while wingers must read timing and space to destabilize defenses. These details highlight why training perception cannot be approached with a one-size-fits-all method.

In our webinar—the first session of the Expert in Perception Skills Course—we will dive deeper into these principles with practical examples and training approaches to help you develop smarter, more adaptable players.