Can training in a virtual world actually make you a better footballer?

If you want to be a better footballer, there aren't many things we’d recommend over getting touches and hitting the gym.

The list gets even shorter for things that don’t require physical effort.

Watching this weekend’s matches is a good start, but it’s not always easy to give your full attention to something that you’re not actively engaged in.

That’s where virtual reality steps up to the plate.

I never once thought that I would type the words, “virtual reality can make you a better soccer player.”

But here I am, amazed.

With the advancements in tech, training the mental side of your game has never been easier.

Countless clubs (including Dortmund, Bayern, Man City, and Juventus) are already using VR to bolster the development of their youth, return to match-readiness, and recreate different pressures from a match.

After doing some research, it seems like a performance hack that’s flying under the radar.

Obviously, it won’t take you from zero to hero.

But it can add a few crucial percentage points to your game.

How VR can make you a better player

Game awareness

VR training software has gotten very good at creating game-like simulations that challenge the player.

One popular program, Be Your Best, creates situations that force you to scan the pitch to find the best pass when you get the ball.

Scanning is a skill that you literally can't train enough—it’s what separates the great players from the okay players.

Be Your Best allows you to scale down the speed of the game so you can get used to taking quick peeks over your shoulders to gain as much info as possible.

Normally, your few hours of team training and matches would limit your reps on the ball.

Not to mention, it’s hard to create scenarios specifically for you to develop your game awareness.

Now there’s no excuse not to train awareness.

Confidence

Visualization on its own is already a widely studied and useful tool for athletes.

Seeing yourself make plays in your head creates the confidence to pull them off at match time.

Unlike a normal video game, your body is the controller of VR training.

Because it's a more immersive experience, it makes it more real to your mind.

This study actually showed that a group using VR significantly improved their heading ability and scored more headed goals in real life.

They didn’t take on a header during the whole regimen, but still outperformed the group that had only done physical heading.

Only VR makes this possible without giving yourself CTE.

More reps without fatigue and less room for error provide massive results, even if they don’t even include a ball.

Return to play

Injuries suck.

What sucks even more is knocking off the rust when you’re finally able to get back onto the pitch.

You’re so excited to play again, but it’s almost impossible to keep the pace.

VR is the perfect way to keep your brain sharp when your body needs to heal.

It allows you to see game-like situations without putting you at any kind of risk for re-injury.

Data has shown that using visualization and seeing your body perform at the level you left off at actually speeds up recovery and can bring you back with a lower loss of skills.

This is definitely some powerful stuff.

VR Resources

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Until next time,

Footytutor