The 3rd Circle Episode 12: Scanners
Jan 21, 2026
Exploring the role of visual perception in football, the discussion kicks off with Mjällby AIF's surprising Allsvenskan title win. The hosts dissect the impact of 'football doctors' like Karl Marius Aksum and critique traditional training methods, particularly rondos, for limiting players' scanning abilities. They dive into practical strategies for scanning during play and emphasize the importance of body orientation in decision-making. As they unravel the complexities of dribbling and team movement, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next part of this insightful conversation.
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Fishing Town Champions
- Mjällby AIF, a tiny fishing-town club, unexpectedly won the 2025 Allsvenskan title.
- Jamie and Martin use this underdog story to introduce Karl Marius Aksum's perceptual coaching influence.
The Football Doctor Arrives
- Karl Marius Aksum joined Mjällby as an assistant and rose to influence their attacking play.
- He previously published a high-profile 2022 thread critiquing rondos and promoting scanning research.
Rondos Reduce Perceptual Validity
- Aksum argued rondos remove the need for scanning, reducing 360° perception to 180°.
- Martin notes this simplification strips essential game complexity and weakens transfer to real match actions.