If you’ve been in the goalkeeping world for a while, you probably have heard of Perceptual Cognitive Motor Training. If not, you’re asking what in the world is it? In the most simplistic terms, it’s nervous system training. It’s attempting to improve an athletes performance by processing sport specific visual information and improving decision making.
Think about the usual training session. It typically is focused on muscle and cardiovascular development. Most exercises are only working the physical and not the neuro aspects. Going around things, over things, through things and making solid saves. Adding cognitive aspects to training adds complexity through additional ques, options and decisions. Seeing something and deciding what that particular visual que means and the action that needs to be taken based on that que expands the players cognitive responses.
For example, adding a visual que that requires a decision and then performing the physical aspect of the drill will help build decision making for the goalkeeper. Training aids like SwitchedOn or Blazepods show the goalkeeper a variety of color lights or directional instructions, causing them to perform a prescribed activity in limited time before reacting to a type of particular save.
Our goalkeeper training in Northern Virginia incorporates use of Perceptual Motor Training to help our players be the best they can be! Contact us to find out how to join us for a session!
