Less sight for a better perception

Oliver Baumann is lying flat on his stomach on a red stability ball, his legs stretched out behind him and his arms stretched out in the air in front of him. In front of him, his goalkeeping colleagues Alexander Stolz and Gregor Kobel alternately throw footballs in his direction. Baumann catches them and chucks them back, trying to keep his balance in the process. Goalkeeping coach is watching closely the whole time from the sidelines. Torwarttrainer Michael Rechner schaut sich das Ganze von der Seitenlinie aus an. At first site it would not seem an unusual goalkeeper training drill, were it not for one small detail: despite the cloudy conditions, TSG’s number one is wearing sunglasses.

At least at first sight, the training equipment on Baumann’s face resembles sunglasses. But no, this is no basic accessory, rather these are known as Visionup Strobe Glasses and are one of the reason why the Hoffenheim keeper has so rarely had to pick the ball out of his net so far this year. He’s kept a cracking eight clean sheets so far this season and, in comparison to 36 goals conceded at this stage last season, TSG have only let in 24 so far this.

Dark, light. Dark, light.

The TSG goalie has been training with the special glasses for almost half a year now. They appear once or twice during every training week and act as a technical aid which does not only stimulate the brain, but also develop goalkeeping skills. “It is difficult to train with the glasses because quite often you lose all sight,” said Oliver Baumann. “It goes dark, then light, then dark again. Sometimes this happens quickly and sometimes slowly. This causes timing issues and messes up your rhythm.“ However, this has improved all three goalkeepers’ anticipation and reactions, said the 26-year-old.

"Therefore, they’re also used before the start of every match,” explained Michael Rechner. “Oli warms himself up with the glasses in the dressing room one hour before kick-off.” The effect being increased concentration and focus.

The results were immediately apparent after the glasses were first introduced. Goalkeeper Oliver Baumann said after the 4-0 win over FC Cologne in December, “I believe that the brain is very well activated through the use of these glasses and you also find a good rhythm and the right timing. As soon as I take the glasses off it feels easier to catch balls and my perception improves.”

Only using technology when it makes sense 

Where does the idea of the glasses come from? Michael Rechner explains: “Five years ago I got to know Patrick Foletti, the goalkeeping coach for the Swiss national team. He became a good friend to me with whom I regularly discussed goalkeeping philosophies. Through him, I was introduced to the Visionup Strobe Glasses.

Rechner regularly keeps up to date with new technological developments, and this is indeed an interesting tool. The player learns through the glasses, which can analyse and instantly sort through game information. “For a goalkeeper, it’s hugely important to analyse the opponent as quickly as possible. Reading the game and anticipating the opposition’s next move – that’s Oli Baumann’s greatest asset. In my opinion, there’s no one better than him at doing so in the Bundesliga,” said Rechner.

Meanwhile, Baumann has become accustomed to the new glasses and seen the results of the training. Michael Rechner is also happy with the development: “I use technology in training only when it makes sense to do so – and with Visionup this is absolutely the case.” But what he is even more pleased about is the willingness with which his boys have tried new techniques in training. This openness is key to integrating new methods, and also what Rechner deems the greatest strength of his three understudies.