Most players think awareness means “scan before you get the ball.” That’s only 50% of it. Real awareness is what you do when you DON’T have the ball. Smart players: - Move to create space - Check shoulders before runs - Adjust position based on teammate pressure - Create passing angles - Pull defenders out of position Off-ball movement shows your football IQ more than dribbling ever will. Today’s challenge 👇Next time you watch a match, don’t follow the ball. Follow ONE player without the ball for 5 minutes. Ask yourself: - Why did he move there? - What space is he attacking? - Who is he creating space for? - Is he reacting or anticipating? Comment below what you notice. Let’s train the brain 🧠⚽

When you watch a high-level match, what are you actually watching? Most players follow the ball. Smart players follow space, pressure, and options. Next time you watch a game, try this: Pause before the pass Predict the decision Then watch what the pro actually does, and why 👉 What helps you understand pro decisions better: watching full matches, highlights, tactical clips, or pausing & predicting? Let’s break this down together. ⚽🧠

Most players judge performance by what they do when they have the ball. Smart players understand the game is often decided by what happens when you DON’T have it. Off-ball movement is one of the biggest signs of real football awareness. When you move correctly without the ball, you help your team by: ✔ Creating passing angles ✔ Pulling defenders out of position ✔ Opening space for teammates ✔ Supporting attacks before they even start ✔ Staying connected to your team shape Many players stand and watch after passing. High IQ players move immediately to give a new option or create space for someone else. 🔥 Honest Question: When you pass the ball, what do you usually do next? 1️⃣ Stay and watch play 2️⃣ Move to support the ball 3️⃣ Make a forward run 4️⃣ Move to create space for teammates Comment the number + your position on the field.

Most players think mistakes come from bad touches. They don’t. Mistakes happen when thinking starts after the ball arrives. Before you receive the ball, you should already be reading the picture: Where is the pressure? Where is the space? Your first touch doesn’t decide, it confirms. You may change your option if the picture changes. That’s not a mistake. That’s intelligence. Football IQ = thinking before the touch. That’s why calm players look slow… but always play on time. 📝 QUESTION (COMMENT) Before you receive the ball, do you scan and read the picture, or wait to see after the touch? Be honest.

Most players think sleep is optional. Smart players know it’s training for the brain. When you don’t sleep well: - Decisions are late - Scanning drops - Reactions slow down - Mistakes increase You may feel “okay”… but your brain is not sharp. ⚽ Sleep = Faster Decisions Sleep helps your brain: - Process game situations - Connect movements with decisions - React calmly under pressure This is why smart players “see the game” earlier. ⏰ How much sleep do players REALLY need? You don’t need perfection. 👉 6–8 hours is realistic for most players. Consistency matters more than sleeping a lot. Late nights = slow brain tomorrow. 🧠 Remember Tired legs slow you down. A tired brain loses the game. This image shows how sleep affects your brain on the pitch. It’s not about sleeping “perfect.” It’s about how rested your brain is before training or a match. Red → tired brain Light Blue → unstable focus Green → good decision level Yellow → sharp, calm, ready Question for the group ❓ How many hours do you usually sleep before training or a match?⬇️ Comment below Football IQ Think before you play.