The Science Behind Soccer Vision
Research confirms the importance of this skill. The "Quiet Eye" phenomenon, "involves the strategic focus of the eyes just before, during, and immediately after a critical task in sport”. In football, players who scan effectively before receiving the ball have already processed options and can execute decisions and perform motor actions more quickly.
Studies conducted at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences found that top professional players scan their surroundings twice as frequently as players at lower levels. This research showed that elite midfielders scan approximately eight times per 10-second period when their team has possession, while lesser skilled players scan only about four times in the same timeframe.
Visual Scanning Creates Time
What appears as "natural talent" is often a well-developed perceptual-cognitive skill. When a player like Xavi or Messi seems to have "more time on the ball" than others, they've actually created that time through effective scanning before receiving the pass. By knowing where teammates, opponents, and spaces are located, they can make decisions before the ball arrives, eliminating hesitation.
Frank Lampard, the former Chelsea and England midfielder, was renowned for his ability to arrive in the box at the perfect moment. His scanning habits allowed him to identify spaces before they fully developed, giving him the appearance of having a sixth sense for goal-scoring opportunities.
How Elite Players Train Their Vision
Elite clubs are now integrating visual scanning training into their development programs. This training focuses on several key elements:
1. Frequency of scans: Encouraging players to check their surroundings regularly, especially in the moments before receiving a pass
2. Timing of scans: Teaching players to look away from the ball at optimal moments
3. Quality of information: Training players to extract relevant information with each scan rather than just looking around
Some clubs use video analysis to review a player's scanning behavior during matches and training sessions. Others employ specialized drills that specifically target visual awareness and decision-making based on changing field conditions.
More recently, through the use of special glasses, we are able to record when, where, and how often a player scans on the pitch. This video-recorded information provides valuable information to the player as well as the club allowing for more efficient and more accurate training and performance.
The Visual Scanning Pyramid
The "Sports Vision Pyramid" provides the framework for understanding how visual skills build upon each other. At the base are fundamental visual abilities like acuity and contrast sensitivity. The next level involves binocular vision and depth perception. Higher levels include visual processing, decision-making, and finally, connecting vision to action.
For football players, training should address each level of this pyramid. While basic visual acuity is important, the higher cognitive functions of processing what's seen and making quick decisions are where the greatest competitive advantages can be found all leading to more effective scanning and on-pitch and in-game performance.
Improving Your Own Visual Scanning
All players can improve their visual scanning abilities:
1. Practice deliberately looking up before receiving passes
2. Train yourself to take mental snapshots of the field
3. Work on peripheral vision awareness
4. Play small-sided games that require constant awareness
5. Watch footage of elite players, focusing on their head movements before receiving the ball
Visual scanning in soccer represents the perfect intersection of physical ability and cognitive visual processing. As I have noted, "The eyes and visual system are involved in every area of brain function. They even help us predict the future." For football players at any level, developing this predictive ability through effective scanning can dramatically improve performance and decision-making on the field.
Until then, keep your eyes on the prize.
And remember ... Champions see first and best!
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