How to create an opposition pack for your team

Opposition analysis has become a vital part of the women’s game, not just at elite level but increasingly across the grassroots and semi-professional landscape.  

While it can be tricky at lower levels to access good-quality video footage or find the resources to scout opposition games in-person, even small amounts of information can provide vital pre-match preparation as the game professionalises further down the pyramid. 

But it doesn’t need to be War and Peace – in fact, large volumes of information, particularly if you don’t have the training time to go over key elements in person, could be detrimental. 

For female players in particular, clear, concise and relevant information can make a significant difference to confidence, decision-making and game understanding. 

Here’s how to create focused, player-friendly opposition packs that help, not hinder. 

1. Begin with the essentials 

Start with a brief overview: league position, recent results and key characteristics of the opponent’s style. This should be no more than one Powerpoint slide - your aim is to set the scene. 

Female players often value clarity and context. Understanding why an opponent plays in a certain way can help them read the game more effectively and build confidence going into matchday. 

2. Highlight their main threats 

Identify two or three key individuals or patterns that your team must be aware of. Examples include: 

• A winger with exceptional pace 
• A midfield pairing who dominate second balls 
• A side that presses aggressively from goal kicks 

Provide clips or simple screenshots if possible, but keep the explanation short and direct. Use language that links threats to solutions: “Their No. 10 likes to receive between lines - our nearest midfielder must check their shoulder early.” 

Female players often respond particularly well to actionable instructions rather than vague warnings. 

3. Focus on their weaknesses - but tie them to your strengths 

Rather than providing a list of what the opponent struggles with, frame weaknesses in the context of what your team does well. 

For instance: 

• “Their back line struggles with diagonal runs. This suits our wide forwards - look to time your movement across the centre-backs.” 
• “They defend corners zonally. This gives our strongest headers a chance to attack space at the near post.” 

This helps players connect preparation to their own identity and strengths. 

4. Provide unit-specific detail 

Not every player needs every detail. Tailor key points for: 

• Goalkeepers: set-piece patterns, distribution opportunities, starting position 
• Defenders: pressing triggers, opponent’s build-up patterns, key runners 
• Midfielders: rotations, overloads, areas where they can dominate space 
• Attackers: pressing cues, transitional moments, vulnerable defenders 

Unit-specific info increases relevance and avoids overwhelming players with unnecessary detail. 

5. Offer clear tactical pictures 

Players can often benefit from visual reinforcement. Include: 

• A simple graphic of the opponent’s shape in and out of possession
• Key arrows showing common patterns (e.g., overlapping full-back, build-up play) 
• One or two “what-if” situations, such as how they react to being pressed 

Avoid clutter. A clean, single-page visual can communicate more than three pages of text. 

6. End with team tasks and individual focus points 

Close the pack with no more than five collective objectives and tailored reminders for different roles. This helps players anchor all the information into matchday behaviours.