Sports Vision Training Benefits AFL Players

Australian Rules Football (AFL) is one of the most popular and physically demanding sports in Australia. With its fast-paced action and high level of athleticism, visual acuity plays a crucial role for AFL players wanting to succeed on the field.

Importance of Vision Training

Vision training is a specialised training program designed to enhance the visual skills necessary for peak athletic performance. In the context of AFL, vision training can significantly improve a player’s ability to track the ball, make quick decisions, and coordinate movements with precision. By focusing on specific visual skills, such as eye-hand coordination, peripheral vision, and depth perception, vision training can give AFL players the competitive edge they need to perform at their best.

Visual Skills Required for AFL

Australian Rules Football demands more than just physical strength and agility; it requires sharp visual skills that enable players to read the game, anticipate movements, and make split-second decisions.

• Flexible Eye Focusing and Relaxing – Players constantly switch their focus between near and far objects. The ability to flexibly adjust focus is crucial for maintaining clear vision during these rapid transitions.
• Spatial Judgement – Accurate spatial judgement allows players to assess distances correctly, whether they are aiming for a goal or passing the ball to a teammate. This skill is vital for precision and for making successful plays under pressure.
• Accurate Eye Tracking and Flexible Focusing – Eye tracking is the ability to follow moving objects smoothly and accurately, which is essential in a sport where the ball is constantly in motion. Coupled with flexible focusing, these skills enable players to keep their eye on the ball while also being aware of the positions of teammates and opponents.
• Central-Peripheral Integration for Tracking – AFL players need to use both their central and peripheral vision to monitor the ball and track the movements of others simultaneously. This integration allows for better awareness of the field and helps players anticipate the actions of opponents and teammates.
• Visual Memory and Dynamic Visual Acuity – Visual memory helps players recall the positions of teammates and opponents, even when the ball is moving quickly. Dynamic visual acuity, the ability to see clearly while in motion, is crucial for scanning the field effectively and making informed decisions on the go.
• Agility, Quick Reaction, and Effective Focusing – Agility and fast reaction speeds together with effective focusing skills help players respond swiftly to the ball and the movements of others on the field, ensuring they stay ahead of the competition.
• Eye-Hand-Foot Coordination – Coordinating eye movements with hands and feet actions is critical for both offensive and defensive plays. Good coordination helps players execute precise kicks, intercept passes, and block opponents.

The Benefits of Vision Training

Vision training is an invaluable tool for enhancing sports performance. By focusing on crucial visual skills, athletes can significantly improve their game. The techniques and tools used in vision training provide targeted training that helps athletes react faster, make better decisions, and maintain clarity of vision even under the intense conditions of a match.

Vision Training Techniques to Improve AFL Performance

• Vision Training

Vision training offers a range of techniques designed to enhance the specific visual skills that are critical for elite sport. These targeted exercises and tools can help players improve their performance on the field by sharpening their focus, enhancing their peripheral vision, and boosting their hand-eye coordination.

• Eye Focusing and Flexibility

One of the key components of vision training is improving a player’s ability to focus quickly and accurately on objects at different distances. Fortunately, training these visual skills doesn’t require expensive equipment—just a simple deck of playing cards and a partner. Have your trainer stand 4 metres away holding half the deck, while you hold the other half. Look down at the first card in your hand and read it, then look up to the card your trainer is displaying and read it. Rapidly jump from your card to theirs as quickly as you can until you have read all the cards.

• Peripheral Vision Training

Good peripheral vision allows players to keep track of others on the field without losing sight of the ball. Peripheral vision therapy includes exercises specifically designed to strengthen edge vision and improve visual stamina. By practising these exercises, elite athletes can increase awareness of their surroundings, enabling them to anticipate plays and react more effectively during the game. 

For this exercise, use the same playing cards from the previous activity. Hold one card in your hand and extend your arm out to the side so the card is just outside your line of sight. While looking straight ahead, slowly move your arm in an arc towards your midline. Take note of when the card first enters your peripheral vision. Continue moving the card inward and observe when you can just make out the number and suit in your peripheral vision.

• Hand-Eye Coordination

Vision training to improve precise hand-eye coordination often incorporates tools like the Binovi board, which is used to improve coordination and reaction time. The Binovi board is a digital device featuring a large grid of lights that can be programmed to flash in specific sequences. Users interact with the board by touching the lights as they illuminate, which helps train visual tracking, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination. By integrating visual stimuli with physical responses, these exercises help players refine their ability to react quickly and accurately.

Advanced Training Tools 

For players looking to take their visual skills to the next level, advanced training tools such as strobe goggles can be particularly effective. These goggles work by reducing the amount of visual information a player receives, forcing the brain to process visual cues more efficiently. This enhanced spatial judgement can lead to better decision-making and quicker reactions during fast-paced gameplay. The reduced visual stimulus exposure also helps players improve their focus and maintain concentration under pressure.

Sports Vision For Players and Coaches

Incorporating vision training into regular practice routines can be a game-changer for both individual players and teams. Whether you’re a coach looking to give your team an edge, or a player striving for better results on the field, vision therapy offers a pathway to achieving peak visual performance.

Sports Vision Training With Bayside Eyecare

If you’re ready to see the difference that sports vision training can make in your AFL performance, now is the time to take action. Bayside Eyecare offers comprehensive vision training programs tailored to the specific needs of athletes. Our expert team is here to help you unlock your full potential on the field.

To learn more about our sports vision training services or to schedule a consultation, contact Bayside Eyecare today. You can reach us at (03) 9909 5329 or book your appointment online. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your visual skills and take your AFL performance to new heights.