Eye coordination involves training the body to respond in a timely fashion to what you perceive with your eyes. Although this is frequently termed hand-eye coordination, the term actually refers to how you move your entire body in response to visual stimulation. Eye coordination is especially valuable for athletes who need to catch a ball or hit a tennis racquet. To train your eyes to best respond, perform hand-eye coordination exercises and games.
Bounce-Back
This exercise can be performed alone, requiring a wall, free space and a basketball. Stand in front of the wall -- a garage or other outside wall is best -- and bounce the basketball against the wall, causing it to come back to you. Repeat this exercise until your muscles feel warm -- this typically takes five to 10 minutes. Now practice throwing the ball with one hand only, pushing the ball back toward the wall instead of catching it. Once you get comfortable, switch to the opposite hand.
Catch with Letters
Obtain a large lightly colored ball, such as a kickball, and use a permanent marker to write numbers and/or letters on the ball several inches tall. Enlist a partner for this exercise. Toss the ball back and forth, focusing on the ball. As it comes toward you, call out the letter you see last before you catch the ball. This requires you to coordinate the catching movement while paying close attention to the ball coming toward you.
Games
Much of your hand-eye coordination is learned as a child, according to Robert Rousseau, an athletic training expert writing on Bodyomics.com. Many games associated chiefly with childhood are attributed to helping improve eye coordination. Examples include Connect Four. This game requires you to visually assemble and organize four puzzle pieces in a row. Playing video games also can help you to coordinate your hand and eye movements, improving your motor skills. Bingo is another game found to help the elderly boost hand-eye coordination, according to the Franklin Institute, a nonprofit resource for science and learning.
Testing
If you suspect your eye coordination may not be well developed, see an optometrist, who can perform testing to determine your level of eye coordination, according to All About Vision. Your physician can recommend corrective vision tools and techniques to improve the aspects involved with eye coordination, including eye tracking and depth perception.
