Vision Training

As a high school coach I was always looking for ways to help my players perform better. I always looked at what successful programs were doing and how I might implement their strategies. We all believe that training of some type is essential in order to be successful. (I know there is a lot of debate as to what type and how much is needed.)

While looking at the Division 1 programs I have found that most have incorporated vision training into their programs as well as major league baseball. In softball nothing happens without the eyes seeing and the brain responding first. I have found some very good articles and Pod Cast on the subject and have included a link on my website at Home scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link to Brian Cains Pod Cast.

Part of our warmup is an eye exercise. Pretty simple - look up and down as fast as you can 30 times and then the same, side to side. The girls thought I was crazy until they saw it actually worked. Theory is simple, hands follow the eyes. So if your brain is already looking to react, then it all becomes no thinking and all reaction. Direct line saves time.

cvsoftball said:

Part of our warmup is an eye exercise. Pretty simple - look up and down as fast as you can 30 times and then the same, side to side. The girls thought I was crazy until they saw it actually worked. Theory is simple, hands follow the eyes. So if your brain is already looking to react, then it all becomes no thinking and all reaction. Direct line saves time.

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Do you have any references or links to studies on this?

I don't, Gunner, just something I came up with myself and used when I was playing. However, I did find this - https://www.outsideonline.com/1959876/4-easy-drills-improve-hand-eye-coordination . It works, that's my bottom line.

I read some where Alex Rodriguez while wafting on deck to hit, would focus his eyes on the writing on the bat and quickly focus his eyes on writing on a sign in the outfield to warm up his eyes just like he warmed up his body before hitting.

Saccades Exercises - you can look it up and find quite a few specific sports exercises. One of our local indoor facilities had a machine that was based around these principles.

I read a book about the science of football. One story that stuck was a training regimen that Peyton manning did. Three card monte projected on a big screen (yellow dots instead of cards). A dot would be marked (and then unmarked), at which he was instructed to follow this dot as it swirled around the screen with others then pick the "original" yellow dot. The exercise would increase in complexity, adding additional dots, distractions, faster etc. The concept was to train the eyes and more importantly the brain in chaotic environment.
Not sure our TB could afford it but probably good drill for catchers!!! Lol.

I like Vizual Edge. Developed by an eye doctor originally to help kids with learning disabilities. But parents of the kids he was working with said their kids were improving in sports as well and he went hmmmm. I've had a few players use it with great success, but you really have to be disciplined to use the exercises on a regular basis.

There are no scientific studies that I know of, but I've also heard that playing first-person shooter games tends to build visual acuity as well. There is usually a lot going on and you have to scan the screen constantly. My son Adam swore it helped him with lacrosse, but that might have just been an excuse to keep playing.

ETA: There may actually be some studies about games and vision training. Found this old article when I did a quick search. https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/30/3...mproves-learning-abilities-cognitive-function