Situational awareness was brought into my PPL(H) lessons pretty much from the word "go" so McBad, unless you have only a very few hours, I am surprised the concept has not been mentioned so far. Yes, it is similar to that required as a car driver or more so as a motorcyclist! But it encompasses much more than driving as, for a start, it's in three dimensions. I'm sorry but I think your analogy with footballers is not appropriate here!
But ... how to teach it? Couldn't begin to say! But early on in the course!!
Cheers
Whirls