The Key to Standing Out at UK Football Trials: Positional Sense for Strikers
Beating the Offside Trap
Most defences at trials will play a high line to catch strikers offside. Without VAR at these matches, smart movement is essential. Scouts will accept you being offside when trying to steal a yard, but mistiming your run repeatedly due to poor awareness is a red flag. Stay focused and learn when to hold your run.
Reading the Game Like a Top Striker
A striker’s positioning depends on the phase of play:
• When your team has possession, stay level with the centre-backs and look for gaps in the defence.
• If the ball moves wide, anticipate where the cross will land. The winger’s position will dictate whether it’s a cutback, a low cross, or a deep delivery.
• Try to run on the blind side of defenders, making it harder for them to track your movement.
Timing Is Everything
A well-timed run can be the difference between scoring and missing a golden chance. Go too early, and you’re offside or waiting for the ball while defenders recover. Go too late, and you’ll be stretching in vain for a ball you should have finished. Great strikers make these decisions instinctively.
Learning from Alan Shearer’s Experience
Even the best strikers can struggle with positioning. Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s record goalscorer, endured a goal drought until Sir Bobby Robson pointed out he was dropping too deep. By pushing higher, running the channels, and facing the goal more, he rediscovered his scoring touch. The same applies to you—your positioning can make or break your trial performance.
What Scouts Want to See
At UK Football Trials, scouts are looking for strikers who:
✅ Avoid unnecessary offsides by timing their runs intelligently.
✅ Anticipate play and position themselves accordingly.
✅ Make sharp, clever movements to lose their markers.
✅ Stay switched on for the full 90 minutes.
Strikers who think ahead, react quickly, and position themselves effectively are far more likely to impress. Work on your positional awareness, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of standing out.