Hand-eye coordination drills for training are designed to improve your balance as well as your ability to catch balls. Hand-eye coordination drills can be applied to a variety of different sports, including baseball, basketball, football and golf. The difficulty of the hand-eye coordination drills you perform will directly correspond to your physical level of fitness and overall coordination levels.
Speed Bag Drill
Even if you are not a boxer, performing speed bag drills will help improve your hand-eye coordination. Stand in front of a speed bag with the bag directly in front of your face. From this position, rotate your right arm in front of you, hitting down on the bag while your right arm is bent at the elbow. As your right arm swings through, prepare to hit the bag with your left hand. Once the bag hits the top of the speed bag, hit it with your left hand as it swings back down. If you get a fluid motion going, the bag will start moving back and forth in rhythm with your hands. Repeat until fatigued.
Trajectory Recognition Drill
This drill, developed by SportsEyeSite, can be performed online and is designed to improve your hand-eye coordination as a hitter in a baseball or softball game. The drill consists of baseballs that are rotating in front of you. Each ball has one of four letters written on the side of it. Work your way out from the inside, tapping the corresponding letter as soon as it matches with the ball. As you improve, the level of difficulty in the drill will increase.
Wall Ball Drill
This drill will improve your hand-eye coordination in basketball. Stand in front of a wall with a basketball in hand. From this position, throw the ball with two hands towards the wall. Try and throw it at a velocity and angle so it bounces back to your chest. Perform this 10 times before attempting the drill with only one hand. As you improve, increase your speed, not allowing the ball to sit in your hands before you push it back towards the wall.
Focus Drill
This drill is designed to improve your ability to adjust to seeing something close up that was far away. Stand in a room that has several objects at different heights and depths. Begin by staring at the object closest to you, and then quickly shifting to an object that is further away from you. Do not keep your gaze on an object for more than a second. As you improve, try and perform this drill with a softball or football. Have a friend stand a few feet away from you. As soon as you focus on the ball, call out a signal for him to throw the ball to you. Adjust to the ball being closer to you and catch it.
