The Hide-and-Seek Spot: How to Stand Where Defenders Can't See You

Imagine you are playing hide-and-seek. Where do you hide? You do not stand right in front of the person who is looking for you. You hide behind a tree, a wall, or a couch.

In soccer, you can do the same thing. You can hide right in front of everyone, even on a big, open green field.

We call this the hide-and-seek spot. Coaches also call it the "blind spot." It is the easiest way to get open, receive the ball, and score goals. Best of all, it requires zero running to get started.

Why the Hide-and-Seek Spot Works

Defenders have a hard job. Their coaches tell them to do two things at the same time:

1. Watch the ball.
2. Watch the player they are defending (that is you).

If a defender can see both you and the ball at the same time, they are happy. They feel safe. If you stand right in front of them, they can see you easily. If you stand right next to them, they can still see you out of the corner of their eye.

But humans do not have eyes in the back of their heads.

If you step behind the defender’s shoulder, something magic happens. The defender can no longer see both things. If they look at the ball, they lose you. If they turn their head to look at you, they lose the ball.

You have just split their brain in half. They have to make a choice, and they will get nervous.

How to Find the Spot

You do not need to run fast to find this spot. You just need to take two or three quiet steps. Here is how you do it:

• Find the defender's nose. Look at the defender nearest to you. Which way is their face pointing? Usually, their nose is pointed right at the ball.
• Step behind their shoulder. Walk or jog slowly until you are behind them. You want to be on the side opposite of where they are looking. If they look over their left shoulder to find you, quietly step over to their right shoulder.
• Stay close, but not too close. Do not touch the defender. If you touch them, they will know exactly where you are without looking. Stand about two big steps behind them.

Now, you are invisible.

What to Do Next

Once you are in the hide-and-seek spot, you have to be ready. The defender will get worried that they cannot see you. They will start to turn their head back and forth like a spectator at a tennis match. They will look at the ball, then look at you, then look at the ball.

This is your moment to strike.

As soon as the defender turns their head to look at the ball, they cannot see you. That is when you make your move.

You can sprint into the open space in front of them to get a pass. You can run deep behind them for a long pass. Because they were not looking at you, you will have a two-step head start. In soccer, a two-step head start is like having a superpower. By the time they turn around, you will already have the ball.

Next time you are on the field, do not stand where the defender can see you. Go play hide-and-seek. Find their blind spot, step behind their shoulder, and wait for them to look away.