LOOK
BEYOND
THE BALL
A Guide to Opposition Scouting
By Steve Jones — a practical handbook on seeing the bigger picture: shape, game plan, execution and personnel.
Discover the bookPlanned launch: November 2026 · Purchase links coming soon
BEYOND
THE
BALL
STEVE JONES
COVER PLACEHOLDER
See more than the action.
The ball can tell you where the action is. The players away from the ball can tell you why the action was possible.
Look Beyond the Ball follows four connected areas of opposition analysis: Shape → Game Plan → Execution → Personnel. It explores how to observe, question, evidence and communicate what matters to the manager and coaching staff.
Planned for November 2026, subject to final proof approval. Paperback and eBook purchase links will appear here when available.
Inside the handbook
The opposition scout · Shape · Game plan · Execution · Personnel · Building the opposition report · The reality of opposition scouting · Practical exercises and report templates.
Steve Jones
Steve Jones worked in professional football opposition scouting from 2006 to 2022, including spells with Plymouth Argyle, Millwall, Cardiff City, Gillingham, Nottingham Forest, Rotherham United and other clubs.
Having worked alongside managers including Kenny Jackett and Neil Harris, Steve has also authored PFSA opposition scouting courses.
Look Beyond the Ball brings that experience together in a practical guide to understanding the opposition.
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What football professionals say
Endorsements from football professionals. Additional approved quotations will be added ahead of launch.
“It's not often you come across someone with the level of experience and knowledge that Steve Jones has, and even rarer to find someone so willing to share it with others looking to make their way in football scouting.
This work is a great reflection of Steve's many years working at the coalface of scouting. It brings together his experience, knowledge and personal stories from within the game, giving a real insight into what life in scouting is actually like.
I genuinely believe this will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to get into football scouting, develop their understanding of the industry and build a career in the game.”
Omer Riza
“The book gives any scout a real insight into how to approach scouting and provides a clear process which is very helpful. You can tell the information is written from experience. I would recommend it.”
UEFA Pro Licence Coach · Former Cardiff City Manager and Cesena Assistant Manager
Mark Westhead
“It’s accessible, has a clear structure and, importantly, comes from someone who has actually done the job.”
Quality Manager · League Football Education (LFE)
Neil Harris
Endorsement pending.
Scouting education & mentoring
LT Publications is designed to grow into a home for practical scouting resources, future workshops, mentoring and further publications. These are future possibilities, not services currently on sale.
Look Beyond the Ball is coming soon.
The paperback and eBook are planned for release following final proof approval. When the book is published, this page will link directly to the official Amazon listings.
No orders or email addresses are being collected on this preview site.
Explore the book