Chapter 7 - Gaze Control in Interceptive Timing Tasks

Chapter 7 – Gaze Control During An Interceptive Timing Task

Chapter 7 describes the gaze and focus of attention of interceptive timing tasks, in which an object is propelled at high speed at the person.

Quiet Eye Training In the volleyball serve reception

  1. Assume your stance and use a long duration QE to fixate the ball as it is served, maintaining the gaze in front of where the server's hand strikes the ball.
  2. As the ball is struck, continue to fixate/track track the ball for the first part of flight.
  3. If a floater or other deceptive serve is used, continue to track the ball to contact
  4. Step quickly so the ball approaches in the midline of the body.
  5. Perform the reception/bump using a "platform" in which the ball rebounds from the forearms.
  6. The gaze should be held, or "parked", in front as the pass occurs (eye-head stabilization).
Video: Volleyball Service Return
For more information:
Adolphe, R. A., Vickers, J. N., & LaPlante, G. (1997). The effects of training visual attention on gaze behaviour and accurcy: A pilot Study. International Journal of Sports Vision, 4(1), 28-33.
Sun, G., Zhang, L., Vine, S. J., & Wilson, M. R. (2016). The Quiet Eye Provides Preplanning and Online Control Support for Interceptive Task Performance. J Sport Exerc Psychol, 38(5), 458-469. doi:10.1123/jsep.2016-0012
Vickers, J. N., & Adolphe, R. M. (1997). Gaze behavior during a ball tracking and aiming skill. International Journal of Sports Vision, 4(1), 18-27.