What is football intelligence?
In football, the term football intelligence is used often. But what does it really mean? And more importantly: how can you develop it?
Individual tactics are all the decisions and actions you take during a match. For example: as a midfielder, you might decide to step forward and press the centre-back instead of holding your zone. You do this with a certain direction, speed, and timing.
Football intelligence goes a step further: it’s understanding why that decision was better at that moment than staying in your zone. In this case: the ball was travelling for a long time, and by pressing you could close the midfield space right when the centre-back received the ball. You also considered the exact timing (immediately when the pass was made), the direction (from the passing lane towards the midfielder behind you), the speed (high intensity to arrive in time) and decelerating at the last moment to be able to react.
That difference can decide the outcome of a game.
How Smart11 helps players develop football intelligence
At Smart11, we help players improve their football intelligence. With our Elite Coaching, we work one-on-one with professional players, analyse match footage, and focus on specific development points. Step by step, we build better decision-making on the pitch.
The role of the Smart11 App
With the Smart11 App 📲, players at all levels can analyse their own actions. Ambitious academies such as FC Twente/Heracles Academy and SC Cambuur already use the app to develop football intelligence in all their youth players. The app offers smart features like AI analyst Clairence and integration with existing club processes, giving players quicker and more targeted insights into their own game — whether they play for a professional club or aspire to join one.
🎯 Football intelligence isn’t just a talent you have or don’t have — it’s a skill you can train.
Learn more about our Elite Coaching and the Smart11 App