Peripheral vision represents the majority of an athlete’s vision at any given time. Remember that focused seeing happens in a very small area of the eye called the fovea, and that everything outside of that area is seen with lower level of clarity, which ultimately worsens the further you get from the fovea.

Peripheral vision is important in every day life for personal safety while performing basic physical tasks, such as walking or driving, it also allows for faster reading. Yes, you do read within your central vision, however, peripheral vision provides a preview of what is coming up to the fovea, which makes it easier for a fluent movement of focus from one spot to the next. That, at the end, results in faster reading and often better learning.

In athletics, peripheral vision proficiency helps athletes see the full game field, to see the game itself at any given time. It allows them to be constantly aware of the position of any and all objects (players, balls or even empty spaces) that are part of the game, which gives them time to form strategy or react faster to a changing situation.

 

SEEING THE WHOLE GAME

 
 

THE MANY SIDES OF PERIPHERAL VISION

 

360° OF PERIPHERY

Peripheral vision allows you to stay aware of the world that is above you, below you and to both sides.

Inner periphery is present as well, however, unless you are looking into the distance, it is often replaced with the central vision.

 

HOW FAR CAN WE REALLY SEE?

Horizontal peripheral vision has two levels (or sides), physical and sensorial:

PHYSICAL
Physical peripheral vision covers the field of view that is detectable by the eyes.
It is commonly divided into 3 parts, and named based on their distance from the point of focus. Near periphery (up to about 30°), Mid periphery (up to about 60°), and Far periphery (up to about 100°)

SENSORIAL
Beyond the point of what the eyes can detect exists the part of vision accessible via other senses. Athletes with highly developed peripheral vision and those trained in the art of seeing are strongly aware of the world that is out of reach of the eyes. They know where other people and objects are relative to themselves no matter where they stand, they can “see” what is behind them.

Performance training focuses on the development of the physical peripheral vision. If your ability happens to go beyond that, consider it a bonus.