Visual search strategies of soccer players in one-on-one defensive situations on the field

This study analyzed visual search strategies of soccer players in one-on-one defensive situations on the field. The 8 subjects were 4 experts and 4 novices. While subjects tackled an offensive player for possession of the ball, their eye movements were measured and analyzed. Statistically significant differences between the visual search strategies of experts and novices showed experts fixated more often on both the knee and the hip regions of opponents than novices did. This suggests that information gained from the movements of these areas was important in anticipating an opponent's next move. Findings suggest the importance in soccer for players not to focus too closely on the ball, but on an opponent's knee and hip.