TRAINING GEAR

• Eyesight Trainer - shields #1, #2, #3

• 8 or more agility poles with flags

SET UP

• Set up two rows of poles with flags, the longer the better

• Allow about 3 yards between the rows of poles

• Allow 3 or more yards between each two poles in one row

• Poles in both rows may be perfectly aligned or they can be placed at random distance to lower predictability

• Stand on the playing field, your arms stretched alongside your body

• With your Trainer on, look forward into the dark lens, your head high

• March forward pulling your knees high to your waist level while swinging your arms all the way up to your ears 

• Notice the movement you see through the corners of your eyes (your far periphery) 

• Also notice what you can see in your lower periphery (around your feet) and upper periphery (above your head)

• Once you hit the end of your practice field, turn around and repeat

As you progress

• Pick up your pace

Practice time: 1 minute

Practice lenses: #2 and #3

Tips:

• Use the poles set up to guide your movement/keep you aware of where you are. Practice with the poles in your far periphery to prevent major change of direction

For team practice

• Ensure there is ample space between each two players. Players may drift away from their intended direction

• Practice in waves, with a few seconds delay between each player’s start

• With your Trainer on, stand between 2 rows of poles, look straight forward into the shield

• Walk or jog forward, noticing the poles to your left and the poles to your right 

• Call out each pole as soon as you see it in your periphery. Raise your hand instead of the voice signal if preferred

• When you reach the end, turn around and repeat, calling out the poles as you see them.

As you progress

• Increase the distance between the left and right rows of poles to expand your peripheral awareness

• Change the poles placement from session to session, make the left and right rows uneven to eliminate predictability

Practice time: 2 minutes / at least 3 sets

Practice lenses: #2 and #3

Tips:

• Instead of turning around at the end, simply backpedal to the starting point

• Pick a ball of your choice

• Find a place on the playing field / practice court at a safe distance from other teammates, and free of ground imperfections (to prevent collision or fall)

• With your Trainer on, look forward into the training shield, your head slightly down. DO NOT PEEK THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE LENS!

• Move the ball in the manner usual for your sport (examples below):
  soccer: dribble the ball with your feet
  basketball: dribble the ball with your hands, bounce it around if desired
  tennis: bounce the ball off the ground and catch it with your hands

• Walk or jog while moving the ball around

• Be constantly aware of the ball through your lower periphery. Notice both, your surroundings and the ball (if applicable), through the corners of your eyes.  
  

As you progress

• Pick up your pace

Practice time: 1-2 minutes

This GIF shows a player dribbling with a soccer ball while paying attention to the poles around him

Practice lenses: #1 or #2

Tips:

• Jog between the poles and notice their presence.

For team practice

• Ensure there is ample space between each two players. Choose a direction all players should walk towards, avoid random walking. Have players practice on different sides of the poles set up

• Practice in waves, with a few seconds delay between each player’s start