Football is a game of skill, strategy, and split-second decision-making. The ability to scan the field, anticipate the movements of opponents and teammates, and make quick, accurate passes is crucial for success on the pitch. In recent years, emerging technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR), have been harnessed to enhance cognitive skills in football players. This article explores the new frontier of brain training in football and how VR is revolutionizing the way players develop their game intelligence.
The Importance of Scanning in Football
Scanning, also known as visual awareness, is a technique that involves constantly surveying the field to gather information about the positions and movements of other players. It allows footballers to make informed decisions and react quickly to changing situations. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is a master of scanning, with experts praising his “insanely high” scan rate. However, it wasn’t always this way for Odegaard. In fact, he credits virtual reality for helping him develop this crucial skill.
Introducing Virtual Reality in Football Training
Odegaard’s introduction to virtual reality came during his recovery from a foot injury. A Norwegian startup called Be Your Best had developed VR software that simulated real football matches and focused on training scanning skills. Odegaard embraced this technology and found that it not only improved his cognitive abilities but also made the training process enjoyable.
With a VR headset and haptic controllers, Odegaard immersed himself in a first-person perspective of a player on the pitch. The software tracked his scanning frequency, timing, and critical scans—the last look before receiving the ball. By training in a virtual environment, Odegaard was able to improve his situational awareness and decision-making abilities.
The Science Behind VR Brain Training
Research supports the effectiveness of VR brain training in football. Studies have shown that players who train with Be Your Best (BYB) software significantly improve their scan frequency and forward passing accuracy—the principal route to scoring goals. This training method is particularly beneficial for midfielders like Odegaard, whose game relies on vision, creativity, and interplay with teammates.
Professor Geir Jordet, a football psychologist and co-founder of Be Your Best, has been studying scanning since the 1990s. His research with Arsenal revealed a correlation between scanning frequency and passing accuracy. High scanners completed 75% of their forward passes, while low scanners only managed a 41% success rate. BYB users have shown remarkable improvements, doubling their forward pass completion rates and increasing their scan frequency by an average of 28%.
Beyond Virtual Reality: Cognitive Tech in Football
Virtual reality is just one aspect of the growing field of cognitive tech in football. Many leading teams and organizations are exploring ways to enhance players’ cognitive abilities and decision-making skills. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now the head of global football development at FIFA, has been a strong advocate for leveraging technology to train the brain.
French club RC Lens recently trialed a sensor-equipped headset system that identifies neural biomarkers linked to conditions such as sleep deprivation. Dutch league leaders PSV have used neurological tests to measure football IQ and guide player development. England’s Liverpool FC has experimented with brain sensors to analyze optimal mental states for players. Wenger himself tested a VR system that aimed to improve players’ decision-making abilities.
The Future of Brain Training in Football
While VR football games have yet to match the realism and popularity of traditional video game franchises, training tools like Be Your Best have found a niche market. Their primary target users are youth players, academies, and clubs looking to develop talent and improve cognitive capacities at an early stage. By identifying and training cognitive skills specific to each playing position, coaches can help players make better decisions on the field.
The cultural divide between European and American approaches to cognitive training in football is slowly narrowing. European clubs, traditionally rooted in traditional training methods, are starting to embrace the benefits of cognitive tech. The allure of gaining a competitive edge and improving player performance is becoming irresistible, especially in an era where split-second decisions can make all the difference.