Pierre Elmurr BAppSc (Orthoptics) DOBA MAppSc (ExerSportsSc) Sports Vision Scientist NSW Institute of Sport, Australia Vision training for Ice Hockey

VISION TRAINING "Vision training for sport is the application of specific exercises conducted over a period of time that leads to neural restructuring of cortex and brainstem pathways allowing a person to maximise efficiency while performing visual perceptual tasks leading to enhanced visual motor performance”

ASSUMPTIONS Specificity of the vision training programs Specificity of the vision training programs Skill level of the athlete Skill level of the athlete No “hardware” eye problems No “hardware” eye problems

VISUAL SKILLS EYE SIGHT Visual acuityEye dominanceContrast Sensitivity Depth Perception OCULARMOTORSKILLS AccommodationBinocular visionDynamic VA Saccades PursuitsstereopsisVergence VISUALPERCEPTUALMOTORSKILLS Eye hand coordination Eye foot coordination Peripheral vision Visualisation Visual memoryVisual perceptionVisual processing

Hockey Specifications Puck black disc shaped Puck black disc shaped 3 inch’s in diameter (7.6cms) & 1 inch thick (2.5cms) 3 inch’s in diameter (7.6cms) & 1 inch thick (2.5cms) Ring 61 metres long by 30 metres wide (international) Ring 61 metres long by 30 metres wide (international) Net 1.2 m high by 1.8 feet wide Net 1.2 m high by 1.8 feet wide Slap shot - puck speed about kph range, average passing speed of the puck from player to player is around 50 to 95 kph, variable due to distance and the opposing players in the way

Fundamental skills of ice hockey Back hand Back hand One timer One timer Slap shot Slap shot Snap shot Snap shot Wrap around Wrap around Wrist shot Wrist shot

Visual skills for ice hockey Gaze Control Gaze Control Peripheral awareness Peripheral awareness Visual search strategies Visual search strategies Visualisation Visualisation Eye hand coordination Eye hand coordination Visual memory & concentration Visual memory & concentration

Gaze control Vickers : Is gaze control is a factor for successful scoring on penalty shots in ice hockey Vickers : Is gaze control is a factor for successful scoring on penalty shots in ice hockey Found that highly-skilled shooters use a head-down approach at the time of the shot, and focus most of their gaze on an area of the ice located on or just in front of the puck Found that highly-skilled shooters use a head-down approach at the time of the shot, and focus most of their gaze on an area of the ice located on or just in front of the puck lower-skilled shooters use a head-up approach and focus most of their gaze on the target, which tends to be the goalie or the upper corner of the net lower-skilled shooters use a head-up approach and focus most of their gaze on the target, which tends to be the goalie or the upper corner of the net

Gaze control Vickers concluded: "Given that the head-down shooters were more successful, it may be that this style of shooting is more difficult for goaltenders to read because the shooter provides fewer cues about where the puck is going” Vickers concluded: "Given that the head-down shooters were more successful, it may be that this style of shooting is more difficult for goaltenders to read because the shooter provides fewer cues about where the puck is going”

The Quiet Eye Phenomenon: Panchuk study shooters taking unobstructed shots on goaltenders from close distances, closely mimicking the NHL's shootout procedure that decides tied games Panchuk study shooters taking unobstructed shots on goaltenders from close distances, closely mimicking the NHL's shootout procedure that decides tied games Study shows that the distance of the shot doesn't seem to matter, as long as goalies concentrate their gaze on the puck and stick in the critical second before it's released Study shows that the distance of the shot doesn't seem to matter, as long as goalies concentrate their gaze on the puck and stick in the critical second before it's released

Peripheral Awareness The ability to focus on the appropriate key (i.e. the puck carrier) and still maintain an awareness of overall play/action The ability to focus on the appropriate key (i.e. the puck carrier) and still maintain an awareness of overall play/action Allows the players to use a 'heads up' skating style and still be confident in his puck handling Allows the players to use a 'heads up' skating style and still be confident in his puck handling

Peripheral awareness drill Multi-coloured jerseys Equipment: Hockey Puck Equipment: Hockey Puck Duration: 3 to 5 minutes Duration: 3 to 5 minutes Description: Description: 1. Use an area ¼ size of the regular playing field 2. Divide players into 3 different groups of colours 3. Start with one puck 4. Players only pass to 1 colour & can only receive from 1 colour. Eg red passes to blue, blue passes to yellow and yellow passes to red 5. Add 2 nd & 3 rd Puck to the drill to increase difficultly

Peripheral awareness Wayne Gretzky – hockey experts say his peripheral vision was his main competitive advantage Wayne Gretzky – hockey experts say his peripheral vision was his main competitive advantage “I had trouble playing the NY Islanders. Same colour pants, I always know where everybody is around me, do it by taking quick side glances without pulling my head up. You don’t have to see a guy’s insignia on his sweater to know what team he’s on. All you need is a split second glance” “I had trouble playing the NY Islanders. Same colour pants, I always know where everybody is around me, do it by taking quick side glances without pulling my head up. You don’t have to see a guy’s insignia on his sweater to know what team he’s on. All you need is a split second glance”

Visual search strategies Gaze characteristics of elite & near elite athletes in ice hockey defensive tactics Martell & Vickers 2004 Gaze characteristics of elite & near elite athletes in ice hockey defensive tactics Martell & Vickers 2004 Used a live defensive zone task Used a live defensive zone task Regulated their gaze using 2 different gaze control strategies Regulated their gaze using 2 different gaze control strategies A quick cascade of fixations/tracking allowing rapid access to contextual information & building a early situation assessment A quick cascade of fixations/tracking allowing rapid access to contextual information & building a early situation assessment A stable object-oriented quiet eye to effectively control the opponent at the conclusion of the task A stable object-oriented quiet eye to effectively control the opponent at the conclusion of the task

Visualization A Solid technical and tactical performance can only be retrieved when its clearly represented in the mind A Solid technical and tactical performance can only be retrieved when its clearly represented in the mind Good visualisation technique includes full reality of the game, the players involved, the spectators and the atmosphere of the stadium Good visualisation technique includes full reality of the game, the players involved, the spectators and the atmosphere of the stadium

Eye hand coordination The process of taking a pass and accurately shooting to the open part of the net is one example of this skill The process of taking a pass and accurately shooting to the open part of the net is one example of this skill Plays an important part in deflecting shots and knocking down high passes in order to control the puck, or in helping a goalie to make a glove save Plays an important part in deflecting shots and knocking down high passes in order to control the puck, or in helping a goalie to make a glove save

Visual memory & concentration ? Skilled players can recall & recognize patterns of play more effectively then less skilled players ? Expert players use their knowledge of situational probabilities (expectation) to anticipte future events

Visual memory & concentration Since the puck remains tiny in comparison to the size of the ice surface and the players, players need visual concentration skills to see it in a crowd. Players should practice following the puck through a crowd of players, which can become difficult as they become fatigued Since the puck remains tiny in comparison to the size of the ice surface and the players, players need visual concentration skills to see it in a crowd. Players should practice following the puck through a crowd of players, which can become difficult as they become fatigued

The Hockey IntelliGym™ is a software-based training tool that helps players develop hockey sense – the perception and decision-making skills necessary to stay one step ahead of the puck and the game. The Hockey IntelliGym™ is a software-based training tool that helps players develop hockey sense – the perception and decision-making skills necessary to stay one step ahead of the puck and the game. Developed by USA Hockey Developed by USA Hockey

Decision making process of ice hockey players Step 1: Observing how & where the puck is coming from Step 2: Knowing where teammates are on the ring Step 3: Knowing where the opposition are on the ring Step 4: Deciding what to do with the puck ball after a good first touch Step 5: Knowing your options by observing where the puck is to be moved or passed Step 6: Deciding when the puck goes Step 7: Deciding how the puck goes Step 8: Deciding why the puck goes (the tactical objective )

SPORT IQ SKILL Decision training Gaze control Skill acquisition Visual cues Visual search The zoneTalent identification

BRAIN SKILLS AnticipationAttentionDecision making Neuroplasticity Pattern recognition Peripheral awareness proprioception

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY SKILLS PSYCHOLOGICALOBSTACLES AdversityBurn-outChokingFatigue AggressionPressureFearAnxiety IntimidationAngerPainSelf Doubt SlumpsAddicationStress

SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY SKILLS ULTIMATEMENTALATHLETE ConsistencyFlowKiller instinctMental toughness zoneEmotional toughness Mind strength PSYCHOLOGICALSTRATEGIES ArousalBreathingconcentrationMotivation confidenceHumorGoal settingMeditation VisualizationrelaxationPositive thinkingRituals PerseveranceFaithSelf talk

SUMMARY/TIPS Conduct “ hardware ” assessment and relate results to on field performance Treat “ hardware ” deficiencies Work closely with sports scientist/coaches to assess/train & enhance specific visual- perceptual parameters related to specificity to ice hockey at all levels

THANK YOU!