August 13, 2024

Sports Vision Training for Hockey Players

"If you are not seeing it, nothing else matters! Your eyes are the basis of your whole game." The words of Braden Holtby, NHL All-Star goalie, says it all. To play elite hockey, you need…
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Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy

“If you are not seeing it, nothing else matters! Your eyes are the basis of your whole game.” The words of Braden Holtby, NHL All-Star goalie, says it all. To play elite hockey, you need visual processing speed and accuracy that’s equally elite. Ambitious hockey players start basic eye training exercises at a young age; however, an individualized vision training program can boost an athlete’s performance from good to excellent.

Sports vision therapists help aspiring and professional hockey players alike to improve and enhance these essential vision skills for better reaction time, stick handling, and pass/shoot accuracy. Based on the individual visual skills and the requirements of the position they play, skaters receive a tailor-made exercise program.

A minor improvement in the visual skills can have a major impact on the performance.

Elite Hockey Performance Requires Elite Visual Skills

Hockey is one of the fastest sports in the world. At the professional level, the puck reaches speeds of 100 miles/h. Players need to visually track this small black disk in motion, while keeping tabs on 11 other players in motion. Keeping visual track of opponents and teammates, anticipating actions, and making or blocking the shot all require sophisticated neuro-visual processing which can be improved through sports vision training.

young hockey player in redVisual Skills for Hockey

  • Depth Perception: This visual skill is essential for all positions, and is specifically crucial for a goalie. Excellent depth perception allows accurate judgment of the speed, distance, and direction of the puck, which need to be optimized for the elite performance during this fast-paced game.
    Players in other positions need to know their teammates locations in reference to the opponents locations and where they are moving, to make effective passes. In a one-on-one situation, good depth perception helps to determine when to make a move and how to get around the defensive player blocking the goal.
    Superb depth perception also allows players in all positions to better judge the movement of the puck in relation to the stationary lines and moving players to prevent off-sides.
  • Peripheral Vision: Excellent peripheral vision enables the skater to know where the boards, players, puck, and the goal are at all times, even when they are not directly looking at these things. This also allows them to predict what will happen next and act accordingly.
    As an example, the sooner the centreman identifies the opposing defender will attempt an intercept of the puck from a particular side, the earlier he can respond with a pass to his forward on the other side.
    Goalies rely on good peripheral vision to defend the goal from multiple opponents approaching the net.
  • Visual Reaction Time: A quick response can help a player control a rebound or create a turnover; help a center to win the draw, a goalie to make the save, or determine if you avoid or take a body check at the wrong time. The faster a skater processes visual information, the more effectively he can respond.
  • Eye-Hand/Body/Foot Coordination: Hockey players must be able to synchronize their movements on skates while using a stick to control and move the puck. At the same time, they need to keep their vision focused on their target and also scan the surroundings.
    Effectively organizing these activities to meet the objectives of the game requires exceptional coordination and balancing skills.
  • Visual Acuity: In an active and fast-moving game such as hockey, maximum static, and dynamic visual acuity are essential. Dynamic visual acuity is the ability to accurately see the puck while moving around the defence, shifting the balance from side to side and turning the head to find a teammate for a pass.
  • Speed of Focusing: Tracking the puck also requires a rapid change of focus. With the small black disk rapidly coming close, the goalie’s eyes must adapt from far focus to near focus in milliseconds.
    The game’s dynamic nature forces players to discern fine details to prevent penalties or other line calls.
  • Focusing: Most hockey rinks are over 200 ft long and 85 ft across, whilst the puck is only 3 inches wide. In order to accurately follow the puck, the skater needs to maintain a very clear vision and be able to change his/her focus over this distance very rapidly.
  • Colour Perception: Distinct colour perception is useful in recognizing fellow players without raising the head to look at their jerseys. Good contrast and colour perception can help identify players even when the skater is not looking directly at them. As a result, it takes less time to react and make the shot.
  • Eye Dominance: Determining which eye is stronger may help to decide if a player should skate on the right-wing or the left-wing.
  • Visual Fixation: Keeping the eyes fixed on a specific moving object is critical, especially for goalies and defensemen, who must focus and lock in on an incoming puck.

hockey teamEffective Hockey Vision Training For Your Team

Any skill can and must be trained if you want excellent performance. Juggling and bouncing balls off the wall are not enough to achieve the level of excellence required for becoming a champion. To make the most of every player’s talent, you need to know their particular strengths and weaknesses. Only a sport-specific, goal-oriented vision training program based on the players’ sports vision profiles can optimize their visual skills.

The training may vary according to the position of the skater and his/her sports vision profile. A defenceman may need to enhance peripheral vision, whereas the goaltender may primarily work on depth perception.

The Role of the Sports Vision Therapist

We recommend a sports vision assessment for every competitive athlete, regardless of their level of ability or seniority. A sports vision therapist, such as , will evaluate visual functioning as it pertains to hockey performance.

Based on this assessment, the sports vision optometrist creates an individual sports vision profile and builds a training plan directed towards achieving individual goals.

Generally, the hockey player will attend weekly in-office training sessions followed with daily exercises, which the player can carry out at home or as part of the team training. can also work with the coach and parents to set goals and follow up on the player’s progress.

Make an appointment with Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy to help improve visual skills and hockey performance.

We train hockey players from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, Vancouver Island, and throughout British Columbia.

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Our Victoria Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
200-775 Topaz Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 4Z7
Phone
(250) 590-7384
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday:
    8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Friday:
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
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Out of 265 Reviews
Our Nanaimo Practice
Opto-Mization Optometry & Vision Therapy
205-1825 Bowen Rd
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1
Phone
(250) 591-0270
Fax
250-412-6459
Email
(Do not send personal health information by email.)
  • Monday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday:
    10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday:
    11:00 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Friday:
    9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Saturday:
    Closed
  • Sunday:
    Closed
Rating
4.9
Out of 59 Reviews

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  • What is Neuro-Optometry?

    Neuro-Optometry focuses on the intricate connection between your visual system and the brain, extending beyond traditional eye care to assess functional vision. This branch of optometry examines how your eyes track, move, coordinate, and how your brain processes depth, motion, and balance. Disruptions in these functions can lead to a range of issues including headaches, migraines, dizziness, balance challenges, post-concussion symptoms, reading difficulties, and attention deficits (ADHD). By exploring these functional areas, we also identify opportunities to enhance performance in activities such as sports, reading speed, and cognitive processes.

  • What is Vision Therapy?

    At Opto-Mization, vision therapy is a specialized, personalized program aimed at improving visual skills and abilities. It goes beyond traditional vision therapy to help improve how the eyes and brain work together, addressing visual-motor and perceptual-cognitive challenges to enhance overall visual function. It’s more than just exercises; it’s a pathway to better vision and improved daily life.

  • Do you Provide Regular Eye Exams and General Optometric Services?

    Yes, alongside vision therapy and neuro-optometry, we offer comprehensive eye exams and general optometry services. Our experienced optometrists perform thorough eye exams to evaluate overall eye health, identify any eye conditions or diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses when beneficial.

  • Who is the Ideal Candidate for Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometry?

    Vision therapy and neuro-optometric rehabilitation can help individuals of all ages. Whether you’re struggling with visual processing issues, binocular vision disorders, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (eye misalignment), or have sustained a brain injury, our services might be beneficial for you. Contact us to discuss if our tailored approach can meet your specific needs and goals.

  • Do I Need a Referral to See an Optometrist at Opto-Mization?

    No, you do not need a referral for an eye exam at Opto-Mization. We welcome anyone who suspects they might benefit from our services, whether you’re experiencing symptoms of visual discomfort or just want to ensure optimal visual performance. Feel free to reach out and schedule your appointment directly with us to take the first step toward understanding and improving your visual function.

  • Do You Direct Bill Insurance?

    Yes, we offer direct billing for a variety of insurance plans to make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible for our patients. Our knowledgeable staff is well-versed in working with insurance providers, ensuring that you can maximize your benefits while minimizing out-of-pocket expenses for our services, including vision therapy and eye exams.