Think & Play with the Speed of Light~ Vision Training™ Soccer ~

TJ Kostecky, Head Men’s Soccer Coach, LIU Brooklyn

Len Bilous, Co-founder, Vision Training™ Soccer

~ Since 1981 ~

© Copyright 2015 Vision Training™ Soccer

Golden Rule of Leadership VIII – Always Evaluate Information with a

Critical Eye

• “Don’t rely upon old premises assertions and theories. Develop a critical mindset that accepts nothing at face value, certify the credibility and usefulness of critical information, analyze the context that produces critical information and the messengers who convey it and never rush to judgment”

The Importance of Vision

• Seeing the soccer field allows players to independently identify and make the best tactical choices.

• Vision enables players to process options as play develops and quickly execute the appropriate action immediately!!

Vision Gives You the Advantage

PLAYERS WITH VISION…

• Are composed and creative

• Are better at passing, positioning & spacing

• Are empowered to make their own decisions

The World’s Best Players Use Vision!

• The world's best players Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Pirlo, Marta

use VISION coupled with their skills to consistently create opportunities

out of seemingly nothing.

What Do the Pros Say About Vision?

Xavi of FC Barcelona …

Sports Illustrated October 2012

"I've been here since I was 10 years old.”

“Play keep-away, keep possession, don't lose the ball.”

“Head up, look before you receive.”

“These are all concepts that are taught in Barcelona's academy.”

Guardian May 2011

"Some youth academies worry about winning, we worry about education.”

“You see a kid who lifts his head up… Who plays the pass first time...

And you think… Yep, he'll do… Bring him in and coach him.”

Xavi …“Think quickly, look for spaces.”

“ All day. I'm always looking. All day, all day.”(Xavi starts gesturing as if he is looking around, swinging his head)

“Space, space, space. I see the defender's here, play it there.”

“I see the space and pass. That's what I do.”

Xavi: Comparing Arsenal to Barça …“The difference between them and us is we have more players who think before they

play, quicker.”

“Education is the key. Players have had 10 or 12 years here.”

“When you arrive at Barça the first thing they teach you is: Think, think, think. Quickly.”(Xavi again starts doing the actions, looking around himself)

“Lift your head up, move, see, think. Look before you get the ball.

“If you're getting this pass, look to see if that guy is free.

What Do the Pros Say About Vision?

The Science of Vision

• The Eyes & Soccer: What makes a topnotch soccer player different?

– One key difference is in the way their eyes move• Researchers at the University of Liverpool and the University of Manchester

– “High-quality players survey the field of play for clues about what their opponents will try to do in a manner which varies strikingly from the visual search patterns used by less-experienced performers”.

• SoccerVisionTraining.com

– Top players eyes are rapidly moving and therefore they stay mentally engaged!

The Science of Vision

• The Eyes & Soccer: What makes a topnotch soccer player different?

• By SEEING THE FIELD players gain VALUABLE TIME.

- We hear things at the speed of sound: 0.2 miles per second

– We see things at the speed of light: 186,000 miles per second

… exponentially faster than the speed at which we communicate verbally...

Training to Play with Vision!

The Vision Training™ System

Vision Training™ teaches you step by step how to effectively incorporate Vision into your game. You learn how to:

• See the field while dribbling the ball• Eliminate the “blind spots” when you dribble• Dribble away from defenders and find open space• Scan the field behind you when receiving a pass • Eliminate embarrassing moments when opponents step in front to

steal the ball• Survey the field for the best passing options• Become creative and do the unexpected• Combine with teammates in stealth mode

The 4 Ps of Vision Training™

Perceive

Process

Plan

Perform

Vision Training™Common Questions & Solutions

Why should players receiving the ball take glances/peeks to the blind side or scan the field?

By scanning the field, attacking players:

• Perceive – Gain information on 75% to 100% of the field

• Process – Identify their options

• Plan – Gain valuable time to prepare for their next action

• Perform – Execute their plan of action

Vision Training™Common Questions & Solutions

Why should players receiving the ball take glances/peeks to the blind side or scan the field?

By scanning the field, attacking players:

• Perceive – Gain information on 75% to 100% of the field

• Process – Identify their options

• Plan – Gain valuable time to prepare for their next action

• Perform – Execute their plan of action

Vision Training™Common Questions & Solutions

Where should a player receiving the ball take their glance/peek to scan the field?

• The direction of the look should be to the side where the ball will be received.

• If you’re receiving the pass with your left foot, your look should be over the left shoulder since the interception attempt would come from that side.

When should I use Vision Training™ in my practices?

• Vision Training™… glancing, peeking, and scanning the field should be incorporated into all coaching themes and sessions.

• By playing with your eyes up, the good habit of looking around is developed, reinforced and becomes permanent!

Vision Training™Common Questions & Solutions

Am I supposed to be silent on the field?

• No, when on defense, talking is essential in order to organize and coordinate your team. “Stay, switch, Step up or drop”!

Vision Training™Common Questions & Solutions

How do I communicate on the attack?

• When on the attack players should rely on visual cues to work together.

– Once your teammate looks up, he or she can make the best and most informed decision based on what they see.

– This information provides multiple options compared to a teammate shouting your name or yelling “man on”, “turn”!

– Shouting provides your teammate & opposition the same information at the same time. And shouting gives away your position.

– Vision maximizes your advantage: information gained by scanning, is always faster than verbal commands from teammates. Scanning of the field stops when teammates shout for the ball!

Vision Training™Common Questions & Solutions

What the Pros Are Saying About Vision Training™

“Vision Training™ helped me and will help develop players of any age.”

Claudio Reyna Former Captain of the US Men’s National Team -2002 World Cup All-Star Team

“I participated in the Vision Training™ program; it has helped my game, and I currently use it.”

Julie Foudy Former Captain of the US World Cup Championship Team

"The Vision Training™ DVD is the best new coaching DVD I have seen this year.  The training teaches players how to see the field, be at ease and confident on the ball, and how to make the best decisions.”

Keith Tozer Head Coach US Men’s Futsal National Team

"Vision Training™ is so simple yet so crucial that its training methods can propel this country’s soccer to the next level.“

Pavlo Pilapenko President of the Ukrainian Youth Football Federation

"Vision is everything and TJ Kostecky shows how to improve it with his program. We should all put more time on Vision training™.“

Marcelo Cortez Youth coach – Rosenborg FC (Norway)

Founder – Flamengo Futball schools (Brazil)

"You have left us with new ideas and novel ways of approaching the way

we coach our players. The feedback from the coaches and players has been

wonderful and enthusiastic. Your contribution will go miles in aiding the

development of both our coaches and players."

Oliver Smith Vice-president of the Turks and Caicos Football Association

What the Internationals are Saying About Vision Training™

Questions and Answers on Vision Training™!

Thank you!

WWW.SoccerVisionTraining.com