Vision Training for Soccer

Soccer players need to be able to see the field to be successful with and without the ball. On attack, players need to find open space, spot the movements of teammates and recognize defensive pressure. On defense, players need to keep track of the ball while also maintaining awareness of attacking players making runs off the ball. Coaches can employ a number of tactics in training to help players improve their vision.

  1. Multi-color passing

    • Set up an area of about 30 yards by 40 yards. Split your team into three groups and have each group wear a different color pinnies. For the sake of illustration, lets say one group is in yellow, one is in red, and the last is in green. Put several balls into play and require yellow to pass to red, red pass to green, and green pass to yellow. This forces players with the ball to keep their heads up and look for an appropriate target, and it forces players without the ball to recognize where they need to move to get into a good supporting position to receive a pass. This drill makes for a good warm-up, according to a U.S. Youth Soccer vision/support play lesson plan.

    3v3v3

    • Again split players into three groups wearing different color pinnies, this time groups of three. Start by having the groups in yellow and red play keepaway from the team in green. Every few minutes, switch the defending team. There are many variations available to coaches here, including requiring players on the two attacking teams to pass only to players wearing a different color, making the attacking group that loses the ball immediately switch to defense, and limiting players to one or two touches. This drill is also part of a U.S. Youth Soccer vision/support play lesson plan.

    4v1

    • In a grid of about 10 yards by 10 yards, have four players on the outside with one defender in the middle. Players on the outside attempt to keep possession while the player in the middle tries to win the ball. There are many variations to this drill. You can limit touches for the outside players, you can require the outside players to communicate without speaking, you can number the outside players and require them to pass in sequence (player 1 to player 2 and so on), and you can add an extra defender. Make sure to instruct outside players to move off the ball and anticipate its movement, not move after a teammate has already received the ball.

    Play to goal

    • Eventually, you should begin simulating game conditions by playing to a goal. This can be in small-sided games of various sizes or in larger scrimmages. Coaches can put in some restrictions, such as playing with limited touches or requiring teams to complete a minimum number of passes before going to goal, or coaches can let the teams play with no restrictions. This also provides the opportunity for coaches to freeze play and point out situations where players don't see what is developing in front of them fast enough.

    Additional tips

    • Remember that improving technical skills on the ball relates to improved vision because the more comfortable players are with the ball at their feet, the quicker and more often they'll be able to pick up their heads and scan the field. Make sure players are getting their first touch out in front of their body and away from pressure, which helps them recognize when to dribble, when to pass, when to shoot, and see options in front of them whether they are close to them or further away. Also remind players without the ball to check their shoulders and keep their head on a swivel so they are more aware of what is happening around them.