USA Blind Soccer Virtual Scouting Combine

Join us for a virtual scouting combine where you submit videos doing specific soccer skills and drills. The virtual scouting combine will run from December 1-31, 2023. As part of the Talent Identification process, athletes are asked to submit videos using the guidelines below. The entire video file should be no longer than 5 minutes. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and also be a B1, B2, or B3 athlete.

Step #1: Fill out and submit this athlete questionnaire.

Step #2: Wait for ksmith@usaba.org to email you your specific Dropbox folder where you will upload your videos.

Step #3: Record all the benchmark videos as requested below.

Step #4: Upload your videos into your unique Dropbox folder no later than December 31, 2023.

Video #1 (15-30 seconds)

Create a video of yourself dribbling with pace, going around one of your family members/friends/teammates/coaches, etc. (think of them as stationary cones saying voy, voy, voy). 

• Ball Mastery Skills we are looking for within the video
  • L-turn
    • Place the sole of your foot on top of the ball
    • Roll the ball back behind your opposite leg along with the foot following back after you have released the ball
    • As the ball passes behind the heel of the planted foot tap the ball with the inside of your foot creating an L shape (think of roll back and tap)
    • Turn in the direction of the tap don’t allow the ball to roll too far away from you 
  • Pull-back turn 
    • Using your right or left foot, put the sole of your foot on top of the ball. Pull the ball back with that foot. As you pull the ball back with that foot turn your body in the direction of the ball. 
  • V-cut
    • Place the sole of one foot on top of the ball. Drag the ball back in a diagonal direction while opening up your hips, then push the ball with the inside of the same foot diagonally in the opposite direction. Ex. Let’s say the ball is at your 12 o’clock. You will drag the ball to 6 o’clock and push that ball with the same foot towards 3 or 9 o’clock.

Goal of the Drill: Ball control, confidence on the ball, dribbling speed, accuracy of turning with the ball and accuracy of the moves.

Video #2 (15 seconds)

Create a video of yourself dribbling against a family member in a one-on-one scenario. 

• Use one of the mastery skills mentioned and/or a move you are comfortable with and confident in using to get around your opponent 

Goal of Drill: Control with mastery skills, confidence against a defender and change of speed as you approach and get around the defender.

Video #3 (1 minute)

Create a video of yourself receiving the ball, turning upfield, dribbling 10-15 yards (if possible) and taking a shot.

• Have your partner roll the ball out toward you on the field
• Trap the ball with your feet in a V-shape and turn up the field
• Actively dribble 10-15 yards and take a shot on goal
  • If you do not have a goal please utilize what you have (fence, person, etc.) 

Goal of Drill: Receiving the ball, explosiveness up the field, control with dribbling, shot accuracy and sound localization.

Please also respond to the following questions through video (1-minute max) or written text:

• Why do you want to be on the USA Blind Soccer National Team?
• If chosen, what does your commitment look like to this USA Blind Soccer National Team?

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Sighted Goalkeepers – Can be B2-B3 players or fully-sighted

Video #1 (15-20 seconds)

Instructions:

• Set up three cones in front of the goal, a couple of feet behind the goal box
• Goalkeeper starts in the center of the goal with a partner at the penalty spot to feed balls
• Have your partner yell out a cone and run to the designated cone, then return to center and assume a ready “set” stance and catch the ball
• Repeat 5-6 times

Goal of the drill: Quick thinking and movement to get to where the ball is coming from.

Video #2 (15-20 seconds)

Instructions:

• Set a cone in the center on the goal box line
• Goalkeeper starts in the center of the goal with a partner at the corner of the penalty box
• From the center of the goal, run toward the cone, imagining a player is there
• Round the cone and come out to face the angle where the ball is being shot from and catch the ball

Goal of the drill: Simulates a situation where you need to change direction quickly. This happens in the game when you think a ball is coming from head-on, then quickly switch to a shot from a different angle. 

Video #3 (30 seconds)

Instructions:

• The training partner sets up at the penalty spot to kick a ball to one side of the goal 
• Goalkeeper dives low to catch the ball from the direction it’s coming
• Alternate sides to mix up the direction of the dives—you want to be prepared for any scenario

Goal of the drill: To practice a crucial goalkeeper skill of diving low to catch a ball.

Please also respond to the following questions through video (1-minute max) or written text:

• Why do you want to be on the USA Blind Soccer National Team?
• If chosen, what does your commitment look like to this USA Blind Soccer National Team?