Computer-Based Training for Optimizing Speed of Action

Prof. Dr. phil. Jan Mayer (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / Compared with the 1966 World Cup, players today are 35% better at targeted passing & quickness.

This is due to the fact that players have better decision-making skills and the game itself is broken down into short, highly-intensive phases.

2014 World Cup approx. 0.9 seconds

Source: Hans-Dieter Hermann, DFB Sports Psychologist, 2015 http://www.swp.de/schwaebisch_hall/lokales/schwaebisch_hall/art1188139,3018187 © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / control, logic, rationality, decisions Slow, laborious, strenuous

fast, intuitive, long-learned, no logic automatic, emotional, effortless

(based on Daniel Kahneman, Israeli-American psychologist and Economics Nobel Laureate) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / Asafa Powell (Jamaican sprinter who held the 100 metres world record)

During big competitions, he often suffers from cramps while racing – like at the 2007 World Championships. His stride length was 20 centimeters shorter than normal. The problem: he tried to run faster, purely on willpower.

(Asafa Powell, Shutterstock) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / The greatest potential for improvements lies in mental training: . faster perception . faster analysis . faster correct decisions . faster action

In future, we should concentrate more on improving cognitive

Source: Helmuth Groß, coaching instructor, FAZ 2013 © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / Bastian Schweinsteiger

“However, in elite soccer, it is often minor details, virtually imperceptible from outside, that decide who wins and loses. The key is to think and act rapidly. I find it fascinating to master these minor details.”(Kicker, 2013)

(Schweinsteiger, Shutterstock). © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / Xavi Hernández

“And then there is mental speed. Some have a mental top speed of 80, while others hit 200 km/h. I try to get close to 200. When a player runs at me, 99% of the time they are stronger than me. So all I can do is think faster.” (SZ, 2011)

(Xavi, Shutterstock) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / “The results from this study strongly suggest that results in cognitive function tests predict the success of ball sport players.”

© TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / “Highly talented youth soccer players outperform youth amateur players on suppressing ongoing motor responses and on the ability to attain and maintain an alert state, both may be essential for success in soccer.”

© TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / +1.9%

274 +9.9% 210 269 191 reactions Symbols reactions Symbols identified identified

without cognitive training with cognitive training without cognitive training with cognitive training

Information processing test method: Wiener test system (# of correct reactions in 4 minutes are measured) Concentration test method: D2 strike-out test (# of symbols correctly identified in 4:40 minutes are measured) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / 71 players from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (professional and youth teams) were measured, figures based on averages “It's like the games of skill you can play on your cell phone. Besides concentration, they also improve peripheral vision. I have already improved. And I think it is making me better.”

(Baumann, Bild 2015)

(Baumann, Bild 2015) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / . 180° degree screen

. Realistic sizes

. Distinguishing team-mates/opponents

. Focusing aspect

. Integrating different cognitive tasks (e.g. detection of numerical advantages/disadvantages) © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / © TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Fußball-Spielbetriebs GmbH / Helix Training Games

Data Processing Data Provision Cognitive Performance Data

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