Rapid eye movements are part of sports. Training them is crucial.

Scientists have shown that if a person knows the target location in advance their eyes will move, track and see a moving object better. Random eye movements are not as efficient. What does this mean for sports?

It means that part of your training should be to determine in advance where your eyes are to move to and practice moving them to that spot quickly. It also requires feedback. That is, you need to know how well you are moving your eyes.

This feedback comes in the form of clearly seeing the moving object at the spot you have pre-determined.

Doing this targeting and eye movements slowly is easy. There is lots of time to overshoot the target, re-establish and to focus.

However, in tennis or any fast moving sport, speed is required and this is where mistakes show up. Not only that, but the brain will shut down its visual system, perhaps at the wrong time.

One of the key elements to seeing and tracking a moving object is to move the eyes to the proper target in proportion to the speed of the object.

With slow moving ball, a player can move their eyes to just before contact, approximately 4 – 6 inches.

As speed increases, the eyes must move the target point to see the ball further and further away from the point of contact. Up to several feet with speeds of 90 mph or more.

At this point the eyes can get enough visual information to accurately predict the ball’s trajectory, see it well and intercept it.

Practicing targeted eye movements at speed is an essential benefit of training with the Qball.

Its moderately erratic bounce means you can bounce and catch it fast, alternating hands. No two bounces are the same, so you cannot be lulled into a predictive pattern.

You don’t have to chase it so you can concentrate on the circuitry between the eyes brain and body.

As you bounce and catch the Qballs faster, you will need to move your targeted eye movement further away from where your hands will intercept to catch.

The feedback is your ability to clearly see the ball and identify the numbers on the ball.

Over time this targeted eye movement skill will be automated so you won’t have to think about it during a game. It will come naturally.

The same targeted training is also done using peripheral vision exercises where you move your visual attention to the correct spot prior to catching the Qball just like when you are looking directly at the balls. It increases your accuracy and reduces errors.

Lastly the Qball can combine both skills direct and peripheral vision tracking into one exercise that increases the speed with which you can switch between both visual systems.

This is done by bouncing 2 Qballs to waist height alternating hands, but only watching 1 Qball with your direct vision and tracking the second one with peripheral vision.

As you bounce quickly, your eyes will be forced to switch attention between direct and peripheral very quickly enhancing your ability to do this even faster.

The benefits of these training drills are faster and more accurate tracking of moving balls, pucks or people. It translates into better sports performance. It makes it easier to see, hit and catch.

Try some Qballs today and SEE the results. Train Fast … Be Fast.