How to Scout a Football Player

Those who make their living in professional or college football enjoy categorizing their business as a complicated one where the fan should not venture. Specifically, when it comes to finding talented players, scouts like to believe they have a special gift that is far above that of the hard-core football fan. That theory has been propagated for generations, but it is not necessarily true. While a scout needs accurate measurements of a player's specifics, such as height, weight, speed and strengths, he only needs a keen eye and confidence when it comes to evaluating a player's talent level.

Instructions

1. Understand the player's background. Know what his accomplishments have been, find out what type of lifestyle he has lived and get accurate measurements. Height and weight are self-explanatory; speed is usually determined by a 40-yard dash time. Strength is typically measured by the number of times a player can bench-press 225 pounds.

2. Observe him in practice. Is he serious or is he joking? A player does not have to work through practice like a robot, but he should be single minded in his determination to improve and therefore help his team get better. Does the player push it hard for 15 minutes and then back off, or does he give it his all on every play? This is vital to predicting a player's future success. If a running back runs hard when a play goes around end because he thinks he can make a highlight-film play but looks for a place to fall down when running up the middle or blocking, this is an indication that a player lacks the focus to succeed at the next level.

3. Watch the player perform in at least two games, preferably in person in at least one of them. Watching a game on television will give a scout an accurate portrayal of his talent level but watching him live will give a scout even more information. Does he block hard when the play is not going his way? How does he comport himself when on the bench? Is he watching the game or is he daydreaming on the bench? The answer to this question will give a scout a good indication as to the player's level of concern about the game. This information is not readily available on television.

4. Believe what your eyes tell you. No matter what kind of reputation a player has coming into the game or practice, believe what you see. A good scout will not let somebody's reputation color her view. You may have heard that a receiver has a difficult time going over the middle when trying to catch the ball, yet you see him go over the middle with courage, catch the ball, take a huge hit without dropping the ball and pop right up. Go with what you saw rather than what you heard.

5. Write down your evaluations as soon as you return to your computer following your scouting mission. Make sure to include the strengths and weaknesses that you observed, as well as the basics like name, date of birth, height, weight, speed and strength. Compile a list of of at least 20 scouting reports and send your work to an NFL or major college team for evaluation.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be deterred by those who tell you you can't do it or are in over your head. Just keep on compiling information and evaluating players. If you are good at this craft and diligent in your pursuit, an opportunity will come.

• Don't quit your day job. Scouting jobs are hard to come by in football. Even if you are successful in your pursuit, the job does not pay well in the beginning stages. However, if you are are consistent in your approach and dogged in your search to find talent, you may be rewarded.

• Go with your own opinion, not what you have heard others say or have read in the newspapers. Believe in yourself even when others dismiss you.