HE46 - Gaze Behavior of Division 1 Male Goalkeepers During Penalty Kicks: A Pilot Study
SCURS Disciplines
Medicine & Health Sciences
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Service-Learning — Oral
Abstract
Gaze Behavior of Division 1 Male Goalkeepers During Penalty Kicks: A Pilot Study
Romero A 1, Yeomans MA 2
1 University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, SC.
2 University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
BACKGROUND: Visual search behavior and attentional control are critical components of successful performance in soccer goalkeepers, as rapid perceptual processing directly influences positioning and save outcomes. However, limited research has examined real-time gaze patterns of collegiate-level male goalkeepers in dynamic, sport-specific environments. METHODS: A mobile eye-tracker (Tobii) was used to record gaze data of division 1 male soccer players while defending penalty kicks. Players were fitted with the eye-tracker prior to guessing the direction of live penalty kicks taken. The players then stood in goal and made an estimation of ball end location (left or right side of goal) while another player took ten (five in each direction) penalty shots against them. The players were told to make an estimation as soon as the kicking player contacted the ball, prior to ball flight. The shot location was randomized per each goalkeeper. All gaze data was recorded at 100Hz. Average pupil diameter (millimeters) during whole fixations and average time of whole fixations (milliseconds) were determined using manufacturer software (Tobii Pro Lab). RESULTS: Four male athletes participated in the study. The correct ball direction assessment varied drastically across the four athletes measured. Average whole fixations did not have a significant impact on correct ball direction assessment (p=0.964). However, there was a trend that pupil diameter had some level of impact on correct selection of ball direction (p=0.165). CONCLUSION: Average pupil diameter during whole fixations during the penalty kicks led to improved ability to accurately assess the prediction of ball direction prior to ball flight.
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
HE46 - Gaze Behavior of Division 1 Male Goalkeepers During Penalty Kicks: A Pilot Study
University Readiness Center Greatroom
Gaze Behavior of Division 1 Male Goalkeepers During Penalty Kicks: A Pilot Study
Romero A 1, Yeomans MA 2
1 University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, SC.
2 University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS.
BACKGROUND: Visual search behavior and attentional control are critical components of successful performance in soccer goalkeepers, as rapid perceptual processing directly influences positioning and save outcomes. However, limited research has examined real-time gaze patterns of collegiate-level male goalkeepers in dynamic, sport-specific environments. METHODS: A mobile eye-tracker (Tobii) was used to record gaze data of division 1 male soccer players while defending penalty kicks. Players were fitted with the eye-tracker prior to guessing the direction of live penalty kicks taken. The players then stood in goal and made an estimation of ball end location (left or right side of goal) while another player took ten (five in each direction) penalty shots against them. The players were told to make an estimation as soon as the kicking player contacted the ball, prior to ball flight. The shot location was randomized per each goalkeeper. All gaze data was recorded at 100Hz. Average pupil diameter (millimeters) during whole fixations and average time of whole fixations (milliseconds) were determined using manufacturer software (Tobii Pro Lab). RESULTS: Four male athletes participated in the study. The correct ball direction assessment varied drastically across the four athletes measured. Average whole fixations did not have a significant impact on correct ball direction assessment (p=0.964). However, there was a trend that pupil diameter had some level of impact on correct selection of ball direction (p=0.165). CONCLUSION: Average pupil diameter during whole fixations during the penalty kicks led to improved ability to accurately assess the prediction of ball direction prior to ball flight.