A new study from Brunel University in London has shown that soccer's best players are better equipped to anticipate their opponents' moves.
Training the soccer brain —
A new study from Brunel University in London has shown that soccer's best players are better equipped to anticipate their opponents' moves.
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Legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff famously said: "Football is a game you play with your brain," and the British research raises the possibility of brain training for young players to attune their senses.
Brain game —
Legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff famously said: "Football is a game you play with your brain," and the British research raises the possibility of brain training for young players to attune their senses.
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Brunel's study suggests the world's top talent, like Barcelona's record-breaking striker Lionel Messi, are able to suppress their urge to act instinctively, which makes them less likely to fall for feints or tricks.
A Messi mentality —
Brunel's study suggests the world's top talent, like Barcelona's record-breaking striker Lionel Messi, are able to suppress their urge to act instinctively, which makes them less likely to fall for feints or tricks.
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Players from novices to semiprofessionals were placed in an MRI scanner and shown video clips of a player dribbling towards them. They then had to decide in which direction to move in order to tackle them.
MRI scan —
Players from novices to semiprofessionals were placed in an MRI scanner and shown video clips of a player dribbling towards them. They then had to decide in which direction to move in order to tackle them.
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The results showed the more talented players were able to predict their opponents' moves better than those at the lower end of the scale. "I am confident the findings would be even stronger with professional players," Dr. Dan Bishop, who oversaw the study, told CNN.
Brain waves —
The results showed the more talented players were able to predict their opponents' moves better than those at the lower end of the scale. "I am confident the findings would be even stronger with professional players," Dr. Dan Bishop, who oversaw the study, told CNN.
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Some of the game's top coaches need no convincing of the power of the brain. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has met pioneering Belgian coach Michel Bruyninckx, who is a disciple of "brain-centered learning" in soccer. "Mourinho immediately understood what I'm trying to do and he asked a lot of intelligent questions," said Bruyninckx.
The Real deal —
Some of the game's top coaches need no convincing of the power of the brain. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has met pioneering Belgian coach Michel Bruyninckx, who is a disciple of "brain-centered learning" in soccer. "Mourinho immediately understood what I'm trying to do and he asked a lot of intelligent questions," said Bruyninckx.
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