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SOCCER OVERVIEW
History: Modern soccer (Association Football) may well have had its origins in ancient civilizations, like
China, as early as 200 B.C., but its development and organization are modern, stemming from mid-19th
century England. At first, it was adopted by private schools and universities. Finally, it developed into a
recreation for all classes, and is today, probably the most widely played game in the world. It thrives on
every continent and enlists more than 25 million participants.
The British propagated the game abroad. By the early 1900s, there were national associations in Europe
and South America. Today, some 146 nations are affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA), the governing body of international football, based in Paris. These nations contest
soccer’s world championship, the World Cup. This is held once every four years and was first organized
in 1930.
The Football Association (FA) was formed in England in 1863 to unify soccer rules. In 1871, the FA
Challenge Cup was introduced. Professionalism was legalized by the FA in 1885 and three years later the
Football League was founded. Soccer was first introduced as an Olympic sport in 1908.
Synopsis: Soccer’s tremendous popularity is based on two major facts. First of all, the action is
continuous. There are no time-outs, or delays for platooning or injection of special teams, as in
USA/Canadian football. In American football, the ball is actually “in play” for only 12-15 minutes during
a one hour game; whereas in soccer, there are 90 full minutes of action.
The second reason to account for the passions soccer arouses and its worldwide appeal, is its intrinsic
simplicity. Two teams of 11 players each are attempting to score goals by forcing the round ball into their
opponent’s goal during two 45-minute halves. The winning team is the one that scores the greater
number of goals in the given time. To do so, they may use any part of the body except the hands, arms
and shoulders. Handling the ball is restricted to the goalies, and then only within their own penalty area
boundaries. Skills revolve around the ability to kick, head, control the ball, and to steal the ball from an
opponent by clever footwork (tackling).
Other background sources:
See the Rand McNally Illustrated Dictionary of Sports, pages 112-5, for some good history, excellent
illustrations of field and equipment parameters, and a very complete list of soccer terms defined.
See The Rule Book, pages 324-31, for the best description of the technical rules of soccer.
See the Guinness Book of Sports Records, Winners and Champions, pages 272-80, for some good history
and a lot of very interesting facts about soccer’s most famous players and moments.
SOCCER DICTIONARY OF TERMS
See the Rand McNally Illustrated Dictionary of Sports, pages 112-5, for most basic definitions of soccer
terms.
Other definitions:
Containing: When a defending player prevents an opponent from attacking at speed by slowly retreating
Funneling: When a defense retreats, converging on its own goal
Goalie’s Defense: The goalie, depending on the league or referee, can lift his knee in order to protect
himself and the ball
Head-Ball, Heading, Header: Striking the ball with the forehead in order to stop its movement or to pass
it to a team member. See “nose-job”.
Hospital or Suicide Pass: A pass played too near an opponent, for which the intended receiver will have
to struggle and risk injury
Juggling: The same as dribbling, but done while staying in one place. Often done when “grandstanding,”
but it does show one’s ability to control the ball
Killing the Ball: Rendering the ball stationary. See “trapping.”
Marking, Covering: Keeping within playing distance of an opponent, particularly at “set pieces” to
discourage the opponent’s teammates from passing to him, and to hamper or tackle him quickly if he does
receive a pass.
Nose-Job: What happens when the ball strikes, or is struck, lower than the forehead
Pitch: Where the game is being played, the field. A term also used by those who don’t like the word
“chip”
Running Off the Ball: The movement into “space,” into an open area, in order to be available to receive a
pass.
Shoulder Charge: A legal charge, shoulder to shoulder, in competition for the ball. Occasionally results
in elbowing, pushing with the hands, etc., which are fouls
Sliding Tackle: Sliding into a tackle on one leg, to attempt to take the ball with that leg
Tackle: To take the ball away from an opponent using the feet
Through Pass: A pass to a colleague running through that splits the opposing defense
Trailer: A player who follows a colleague as he moves down the field in order to receive a pass or lend
other help
Transition Game: When the backs, normally defensive players, move the ball ahead of the forwards,
while the forwards take up the positions of the backs. Most often seen in indoor soccer. Also referred to
as “overlapping.”
Trapping: To stop a moving ball and bring it under control. Any part of the body, except the hands, can
be used.
Wall Pass or One-Two: When a player receives a quick return pass from a colleague, using him like a
wall, in order to beat an opponent. Literally, in indoor soccer, to bounce the ball off the wall in order to
move past an opponent
VISUAL SKILLS IMPORTANT FOR SOCCER
Visual Acuity: As soccer is a sport of almost constant motion for all players and the ball, dynamic visual
acuity is probably more significant than static visual acuity. The target is in motion, the athlete is in
motion and the opponent is in motion.
Peripheral Vision: This is a very essential skill for superior performance in a game like soccer. It also
helps avoid collision and injury. Each player must be aware of 1) the location of the ball, 2) where he
should be deployed at any given time in the offensive or defensive play his team is running, and 3) where
he is on the pitch (playing field) in relationship to the numerous boundaries.
Depth Perception: Necessary for accurate shooting and passing. Timing, for receiving passes and
jumping up to head the ball at just the right moment, are skills related to good depth perception. The
player must be able to judge the speed and spin on the ball, as well as how quickly other players are
moving toward or away from him, Everything in soccer is almost in constant relative motion. Thus, there
are many visual equations that the brain must be constantly and quickly solving.
Eye Motility: Eye tracking ability is important in soccer. Quick, accurate saccades are needed to rapidly
survey the changing locations and movements of the other 11 players, and the ball, on the pitch. The
player also must use saccades to monitor the location of the various boundary lines and goals. Studies
have shown that if the athlete’s head has to move to aid in eye tracking, not only is it less efficient, but
balance is thrown off, too.
Eye-Hand/Body/Foot Coordination: All are helpful to a soccer goalkeeper. These players are permitted
to use their hands to catch, throw and block shots taken on their goal. Most soccer players depend more
on eye-foot and eye-body coordination, and not as much on eye-hand. The eyes lead the body and the
visual system guides the motor system.
Visualization: This could be very useful for a soccer player during the process of learning or executing
set team plays. Also, during penalty kicks, corner kicks, or other free kick situations, the player may be
able to quickly use the five-step visualization process. The rest of the game is so fast moving, the player
doesn’t have time to think and visualize using the five-step technique. He or she must simply react.
Subvocalization, thought by some to be a form of visualization, actually distracts from it! Not only does it
take longer — it is not as efficient. Therefore, don’t give yourself a “pep talk” while playing soccer—
visualize instead.
Speed of Recognition Time: This is an important visual skill for a soccer player. Opportunities to make a
proper pass, nutmeg a player (kick the ball between his legs), or tackle an opponent and steal the ball
without fouling, only present themselves for fractions of seconds. The soccer ball itself can move at high
rates of speed. Once the ball starts ricocheting off players who are fighting for control of the ball, speed
of reaction time can be the difference between a winner and a loser.
Speed of Focusing: Also important in soccer because the ball and other players move so quickly. One
has to be able to shift focus from near to far, or to intermediate targets rapidly throughout the game while
general body stamina is running down due to heavy exertion.
Glare Recovery Speed: Occasionally, the ball may be lost in the sun or the stadium lights. If the retina is
dazzled in such a manner, good glare recovery speed is vital, especially for a goalie. Perhaps the other
players might not need to be tested for glare recovery speed. But goalkeepers should be tested, especially
if they play often under bright lighting conditions. Outlet kicks by the goalies, downfield kicks, and
headers are examples of times when the ball may be high in the air and likely to be lost in the sun or
artificial lighting.
Ability to See in Dim Illumination: Usually not a critical factor for soccer players unless an outdoor
game near dusk is being played. Most league games are scheduled at good daylight hours or under proper
artificial lighting.
Ability to Withstand Eye Fatigue Without Decreased Performance: This is important for soccer players
because constant running, jumping, and physical contact for an hour and a half straight, with a mere 5minute break between the two 45-minute halves, requires excellent conditioning.
Color Perception: Color is used in soccer mainly to:
1.
Identify the teams the players are on for accurate passing and defensive play
2.
Identify the goalies, who wear different colors from the rest of their team
3.
Identify the referee, who wears black
Otherwise, color perception is not critical to a soccer player’s performance.
Eye Dominance: While eye dominance is not a major factor in soccer, the player should be aware of its
subtle implications. Shooting, passing, dribbling, and receiving may be more accurate on the visually
dominant side. It is not as critical in this sport as in baseball hitting, rifle shooting or archery.
Fixation Ability: Fixations in soccer are seldom in one place very long. They are actually tied in with
saccadic eye movement ability. The eyes of the player are in almost constant motion, with quick fixation
shifts from the ball, to the other players (his team and opponents), to the goal, to the touchline (sideline)
boundaries, etc. During a free kick, corner kick, penalty kick, etc., the player actually has the time and
and space to fixate on a precise portion of the soccer ball (e.g., one of the dark or light hexagonal panels)
for more accurate kicking. Perhaps even some quick visualization can be done in these situations.
Fixation would then be shifting from your target on the ball panel, to where you want that kick to land on
the pitch. Staring at your target too long before kicking the ball can lead to more misses. The ability to
fine-focus (center) on your target diminishes with time. Therefore, soccer players should be advised by
their sports vision consultant to avoid staring. When balanced and ready, just center on your target’s
finest detail (first the ball, and then the spot on the field where you want your shot to land) and smoothly
execute your free kick.
Visual Memory: The player must have the ability to rapidly remember his role in set plays (throw-ins,
corner kicks, etc.). Past experience and the number of proper shots, passes, fakes, headers, tackles, etc.,
on file in the visual memory of a soccer player, can be combined with good visualization techniques. In
practice, in warm-ups before a game, and to some extent during an actual game, visualization could be a
big factor in the steadiness and consistency of a soccer player. Obviously, visual memory contributes to
the visualization process.
Central/Peripheral Awareness: This is an essential skill for a soccer player. When dribbling the ball, the
player must be looking where he’s going, seeing where the defensive tacklers are coming from, while
being peripherally aware of the soccer ball his foot is controlling. Defensively, you must stay between
your opponent and the goal. Therefore, you must be centrally aware of the offensive player with the ball
if it’s your responsibility to mark (guard) him. Peripherally, you’re aware of the goal and potential
passing lanes the offense might use. If you are marking a player away from the ball, you must be
peripherally aware of the ball and the goal.
Spatial Localization: Knowing where you are relative to other objects is very important in soccer because
traffic patterns on the field can become very congested. No one stays in the same place very long. The
ball and the players are all in constant relative motion. The goals are stationary, but most shots are taken
at the goal as the player is moving laterally, vertically, transversely or “all of the above.”
Also, there is evidence that a player with esophoria tends to see the world closer than it really is. Thus,
we might expect this player to pass, shoot, or kick generally short of the target on the field he’s aiming
for. Conversely, the exophoric player tends to see the world farther away than it really is. Thus, we
might expect this player to generally pass, shoot, or kick beyond the target on the field he’s aiming for.
VISUAL SCREENING/TESTING PROCEDURES INDICATED FOR SOCCER PLAYERS
Visual Acuity (Static and Dynamic)
1.
Normal Snellen
2.
Vectographic
3.
Autorefractor
4.
Record player with visual acuity disk at three speeds (33, 45, 75 rpm)
5.
Tachistoscopic Acuity
Peripheral Vision
Dicon, Synamed Fieldmaster, etc.
Depth Perception
1.
Randot - distance
2.
Stereo Circles - projected at distance
3.
Stereo Fly - near
4.
Randot - near
5.
Consider timing the testing on the Randots
Eye Motility
1.
Eye Track
a. This quantifies graphs on paper.
b. Good for before/after studies
c. Athletes and coaches can see if progress has been made.
2.
Wayne Saccadic Fixator
a. Pursuits
b. Saccades
c. Rotations
Eye-Hand/Body/Foot Coordination
1.
Wayne Saccadic Fixator
a. Normal use with the hands
b. Footboard use which brings in the soccer player’s balance
2.
Strobe Light - Creates more visual noise, so the athlete has to concentrate more
Visualization
1.
No specific testing
2.
The principles can be taught and trained, however.
Speed of Recognition Time
1.
Tachistoscope
2.
Computerized Anaglyphic Trainer
Speed of Focusing
1.
Wayne’s near/far fixation module (in 30 seconds, a good score = 15)
2.
Flippers (for near only) +/- 2.00 D (2 seconds = normal response)
Glare Recovery Speed - Night-Sight Meter - by AAA (Triple A)
1.
Dazzle them
2.
Read the letters as soon as possible (time them).
Ability to Withstand Eye Fatigue Without Decreased Performance
1. Ask the soccer player (or the coach of the player) whether he/she is a consistent performer
throughout the game.
2. Do a complete evaluation of all pertinent visual skills before and immediately after a match or hard
workout.
Fixation Ability
1.
Eye Track
2.
Dicon perimeter, which beeps when the subject loses fixation
Visual Memory
1.
No specific testing
2.
The principles can be taught and trained, however.
Central/Peripheral Awareness
1.
Wayne Saccadic Fixator with “stick-ups” and gun you fire at the light
a. Mode 1 = 15 or greater = good
b. Mode 2 = 5 is pretty good
2.
Dicon or Synamed Fieldmaster
Spatial Localization
1.
Phorias
a. Base-In
b. Base-Out
2.
Brock String
3.
Computerized Anaglyphic Trainer
VISION TRAINING TECHNIQUES INDICATED FOR SOCCER PLAYERS
1.
Visual Acuity
Keep the soccer player in current glasses (polycarbonate lenses mounted in an athletic frame), or
preferably contact lenses for best visual acuity if an Rx is needed. Soft contact lenses are usually the
lens of choice for this sport. But firm lenses and athletic glasses are also used quite frequently when
soft contacts are ruled out for some reason.
2.
Peripheral Vision
Awareness of peripheral vision can be enhanced (see under central/peripheral awareness).
If a visual field defect is present, the soccer player can be counseled as to how to compensate by
orienting his/her game toward negating the weak point.
Depth Perception
a. Stereopsis is the ultimate of good binocularity. So train binocularity (BI and BO reserves) and
stereo should improve with enhanced visual functions.
b. Red/Green Sports Tranaglyphs from Bernell can help build ranges.
a.
b.
3.
4.
Eye Motility
Pegboard Rotators
Arneson Corrector (Audio Feedback mechanism)
Computerized Anaglyphic Trainer
Wayne Saccadic Fixator
Eye-Hand/Body/Foot Coordination
a. Wayne Saccadic Fixator
1)
Normal use with the hands for goalies.
2) Footboard use helps train the soccer player’s balance system in response to the visual
signals he is getting off the board.
b. Strobe Light - The athlete has to concentrate more due to the increased visual noise. This might
be good for dribbling practice, the goalie’s defense of goal drills, passing drills between two or
more players, wall passing, etc.
a.
b.
c.
d.
5.
6.
Visualization
An example will be given as to how to use the principles of visualization for enhancing penalty kick
accuracy.
a. Analyze: Consider the position of the goalkeeper, frozen on the goal line for your penalty kick.
The rules forbid him to move his feet to get in position to block your kick until after your foot
has made contact with the ball. The ball is placed on the penalty spot just 12 yards out from the
center of the goal. The goalkeeper has a rectangular plane to protect from your kick that is 24
feet wide and 8 feet high. This is 192 square feet of scoring potential for you. The odds of you
scoring are highly in your favor if you execute properly. Remember, the goalie doesn’t know
where you intend to try to place your shot. Check your visual memory. What is your strongest
shot? Is this goalie a stronger defender to his left or right? What shot do you think he expects?
What would surprise and catch him off guard? Choose your target spot based on your analysis.
b. Visualize: Precede your performance with a visual picture of the desired action. Select a
precise target beyond the section of the goal plane where you intend to direct your penalty kick.
Maintain a secondary awareness of this target area now that you’ve selected it. Direct your
primary attention toward the stationary soccer ball on the penalty spot. See yourself taking your
steps back to set up for your kick as though watching yourself on videotape. See yourself
executing the classic kicking form, and the dark or light hexagonal panel on the soccer ball you
were using as a fixation target, being struck perfectly by the instep of your kicking foot. See the
successful trajectory of the ball right past the goalkeeper and into the target area you had
previously selected, scoring the point.
c. Center: Develop a solid awareness of the target beyond the section of the goal plane where you
intend your penalty kick to score. But don’t stare at it for long before kicking. Choose it
quickly and secretly. Fine centering in this type of kicking actually has two phases. The first
phase is locking onto the most precise detail possible on the soccer ball (such as a portion of one
of the hexagonal panels) as you approach the ball for the kick. You must continue this fine
centering until after the foot makes contact with the ball. Then quickly the second phase of fine
centering begins. This involves locking onto the smallest, most detailed target possible (e.g., a
knot on the net of the goal, which is directly in line with the trajectory path you want the ball to
make, in order to pass through the goal plane at your secret spot). Maintain this fine visual
fixation until after the ball strikes this target to ensure proper follow-through.
d. Execute: Now you actually physically perform the classic kicking style you had previously
visualized yourself doing successfully, as if watching yourself on videotape.
e. Playback: Try to do this after all free kicks in practice sessions (both good and bad). Soccer is
a fast-moving sport and is largely a game of reactions. However, there is sufficient time during
penalty kicks to collect one’s thoughts and employ the visualization five-step technique. Good
kickers are made in practice — not in games. The playback portion of the visualization
sequence can be used extensively in practice to develop one’s kicking accuracy.
7.
Playback is re-visualizing the complete sequence of hitting or missing your kicking target again,
and reviewing all the visual images you centered on. This will help to reinforce whatever there
was to learn from that kick (good or bad) for future visual memory.
Speed of Recognition Time
a. Train this visual skill with the same instruments used to measure or test this skill.
b. Instruments
1)
Tachistoscope (Targets = shapes, tic-tac-toe, numbers, letters, etc.)
2)
Computerized Anaglyphic Trainer
c. Make progressions for your soccer athletes from easy toward most difficult.
8.
Speed of Focusing
a. Red/Green anaglyphic accommodative rock
b. Wayne Saccadic Fixator
c. Flippers
9.
Glare Recovery Speed
a. No specific training
b. Anti-reflection coatings if glasses are worn (in athletic frames)
c. Perhaps Vitamin A and B2 Therapy
1)
“A” therapy = 10,000 units/day
2)
“B2” (Riboflavin) = 2.5 milligrams/day
10.
Ability to Withstand Eye Fatigue Without Decreased Performance
Use the five steps of visualization on all free kick situations to enhance concentration and give the
player a plan of attack for at least that part of the game. It is very helpful in pulling them through the
competition even when he’s fatigued and at a low emotional level. It help provide consistency.
11.
a.
b.
12.
a.
b.
c.
13.
a.
b.
c.
Fixation Ability
Counsel the soccer player to fine-focus (center on the smallest possible detail he can see on his
target (whether shooting or passing).
The shorter the amount of time he fine-focuses on his target, the more intense his focusing
ability will be.
Visual Memory
This is where the playback phase of visualization (Step 6e) pays big dividends. It helps you
build your frame of reference.
Later you can use this frame of reference to visualize the things you’ve done to succeed in the
past under similar circumstances.
The Memory Book by Jerry Lucas is a good reference book for understanding and applying
principles of visual memory more fully.
Central/Peripheral Awareness
Wayne “stick-ups” are good for training.
As you go about your day, just concentrating on how much detail you can gather from your
periphery without actually looking over at the details directly (with central vision) is great
training for this visual skill.
This skill isn’t something that is developed overnight. You have to work at it daily until you’re
good at it. The skill should transfer well to your soccer game, however.
14.
Spatial Localization
a. Train with the same instruments and equipment you use to measure and test this skill.
b. Instruments
1)
Brock String (in all 9 positions of gaze)
2)
Computerized Anaglyphic Trainer
SPORTS VISION PROBLEMS/SOLUTIONS RELATED TO SOCCER
Problems
Solutions
Safety Risks: Probably collisions with other
players, resulting in a finger in the eye, a head or
elbow or knee in the eye, etc., are the biggest
ocular safety risks in soccer. The ball is large and
moves at high rates of speed, so it could cause
serious ocular trauma, corneal abrasion, hyphema,
detached retina, etc
This is “just part of the game” to a large extent.
There are rules to protect players from opponents’
feet and knees going above waist level. Protective
goggles with polycarbonate lenses might add a
little more security to a monocular player. Quick
reflexes and reaction time are probably the best
defense for all ocular safety risks.
Vision Correction Needed: Playing a visually
dominant sport, like soccer, with blurry vision will
definitely decrease performance. It can also
decrease speed of reaction time. It is, therefore,
more likely that this player will be injured.
Contact lenses are usually best for soccer players.
Soft contacts are probably the lens of choice, if
possible. Sports straps on athletic glasses will be
needed if the player is wearing glasses.
Contact Sport: Soccer is definitely a rough contact
sport. Collisions are part of the game. The player
may be struck by the ball or any part of another
player. The goalkeepers are perhaps most
susceptible.
Wear soft contact lenses if an Rx is required,
because they won’t be dislocated as easily as firm
lenses or glasses. Have an ocular emergency first
aid kit with the trainer so eye problems or injuries
can be dealt with swiftly and properly.
High Velocity Projectiles: A soccer ball can be
kicked with great speed and force. This can easily
break noses and create serious eye trauma.
You cannot totally prevent this risk. The quicker
the soccer player’s vision system can process visual
information, the less likely the player is to be
injured in this fashion.
Fogging of Glasses: This is a very sweaty sport. If
glasses are worn, drops of sweat on the back of the
player’s eyeglasses or steamy lenses can be a
problem.
Anti-fogging compounds may be helpful. Have a
soft cloth on the sidelines to wipe off the lenses.
Better yet, wear soft contacts, if possible. Headbands to absorb sweat, worn across the mid-forehead, can be very beneficial as well.
Playing with Only One Usable Eye: Soccer is a
sport with some risk of serious eye injury. Some
visual skills will be reduced by a monocular or
amblyopic player.
Wind: Soccer is played in almost every conceivable weather condition, and wind is one of them.
This can make high kicks more difficult to judge,
dry out the eyes or contact lenses and can blow dust
and other foreign bodies into the eyes.
The soccer player and the player’s parents, should
be counseled that there are risks.
Glasses are usually better in wind than contact
lenses, but these would introduce problems too.
More concentration is required to compensate for
the wind’s effect on banana kicks, etc., which are
already difficult to judge, even without the wind.
Sun: This can be a problem on bright days when a
high kick or a ball you’re preparing to head may
get lost in the sun. Usually, the ball is best
controlled near the ground, so players are generally
looking straight ahead or downward.
No hats or visors can be worn in soccer, and
sunglasses can fog. The frames can also pose a
threat of injury themselves if the player were to be
hit in the face with the ball.
Rain: This can bother a player wearing glasses.
Wear soft contact lenses if an Rx is required.
Does an Undetected Vision Problem Exist? Just
because a person is a good soccer player does not
guarantee that his eyes and vision system are
functioning at 100% top efficiency. Remember,
success is defined as “what you are compared to
what you could be.” If a problem does exist and
can be corrected or enhanced, perhaps he/she could
improve his/her game.
Have a complete vision examination about every
two years at least to rule out any visual problems.
PROTECTIVE/CORRECTIVE EYEWEAR FOR SOCCER
1.
2.
3.
Goggles - like racquetball goggles with polycarbonate lenses
Sports straps for glasses with polycarbonate lenses
Firm contact lenses - preferably gas permeable firm lenses if the player can’t be fit with soft
contacts; also colored lenses for easier location on the sclera if they are dislodged during a game
4.
Soft contact lenses - the corrective method of choice for most soccer players
5.
Good, absorbent head sweatbands to keep perspiration out of the eyes and off the back of the
glasses
MOST COMMON OCULAR INJURIES SUSTAINED IN SOCCER
1.
2.
3.
Corneal abrasion
Trauma to the globe from fingers, ball, elbows, knees, other player’s heads, etc., with subsequent
secondary complications
Lacerations around the orbit, lids, or globe itself
EMERGENCY FIRST-AID FOR OCULAR INJURIES SUSTAINED IN SOCCER
Trainers should be taught how to perform the following:
1.
Proper lavage and rinsing of an eye with a foreign body
2.
Instillation of ophthalmic drops
3.
Application of a proper lubricant to an injured eye prior to application of a pressure bandage
4.
Handling of contact lenses (hard and soft) and removal of them from the eyes
OCULAR SUPPLIES FOR THE SOCCER TRAINER’S FIRST-AID KIT
Sterile saline eyewash
Artificial tears
Q-tips
DMV (hard contact lens remover)
Fluorescein strips
Black light penlight
Regular penlight
Polysporin ointment
Oval eye pads
Dermacel tape 1”
Spare contact lenses for all players wearing
contact lenses (properly labeled)
Trial size bottles of storage/disinfecting solution
for contact lenses
Small mirror
Some butterfly tape strips to hold lacerated skin
areas together
Blue Ice
MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS
1. Do you tend to kick generally “short” of your target or “long” of your target?
2. If you knew your athletic income could be over a million dollars over the next 10 years, would you be
willing to remove any obstacles to improve your performance?
3. Vision is the dominant sense for soccer and most other sports.
4. Five times as much brain cortex is related to vision as all other senses combined.
5. As much as 80% of all information reaches the human brain through the eye gate.
6. 80% of the optic nerve fibers connect directly to the cortex.
7. 20% of the optic nerve fibers connect to balance and posture control centers in the brain.
REFERENCES
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World. New York, NY: Paddington Press Ltd, 1974:160-3.
2. Wright G. Rand McNally Illustrated Dictionary of Sports. Chicago, IL: Rand McNally and Co.,
1978:112-5.
3. Diagram Group. The Rule Book. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 1983:324-31.
4. McWhirter N. Guinness Book of Sports Records, Winners and Champions. New York, NY: Sterling
Publishing, 1980:272-80.
5. Sports Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Westport Corp, 1973.
6. Missile (the official magazine of the Major Indoor Soccer League).
7. Chyzowych W. The Official Soccer Book of the United States Soccer Federation. Chicago, IL:
Rand McNally and Co., 1978.
8. Orlando RG. Soccer-related eye injuries in children and adolescents. The Physician and
Sportsmedicine 1988;16.
9. Anon. Soccerball eye injuries. Sportsmed Dig 1983;5:8.
10. Burke MJ, Sanitato JJ, Vinger PF, et al. Soccerball-induced eye injuries. JAMA 1983;249:2682-5.
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Int J Sports Vision 1995;2:22-8.
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Scholastic Coach 1994;63:28-30.
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©1998 American Optometric Association