by Bob Schmidt

Created on: September 27, 2007

How to improve hand to eye coordination is an interesting subject because children today do not participate as much in outside games that involve coordination skills. In point of fact, ping pong, badminton, pick-up baseball, and general physical activities have been replaced by video games, computer activities, and other things that are not physical activities. As a result, aspiring young athletes should be exposed to activities that will enhance the development of better hand to eye coordination.

The human body, and mind are marvelous physical machines awaiting programming at the point of birth. Children learn rapidly, and physical abilities develop in accordance to the needs of a child, and the stimulation to do certain things. Eye to hand coordination is a learned activity, as evidenced by infants learning to clap their hands together. They get the hang of it pretty quickly, but at first find it difficult.

Many ways to develop better coordination exist, but the best of them involve a moving ball, and the attempt to catch it. The mind almost instantly calculates where the ball is going, and sends the signal to the right muscle groups to effect a successful catch. Just as babies improve their abilities to clap with practice, young athletes improve their coordination in the same manner, by repitition of the action.

Whether it be a baseball, volleyball, or whatever kind of ball, tossing it back and forth will improve one's abilities. Ping pong, badminton, and other games involving hitting a moving object will also be beneficial to young athletes. Even good physical conditioning benefits coordination in that all muscles needed for good coordination should be in good condition.

Whether or not there are benefits to eye/hand coordination from playing video games is debatable. The skills of reaction to visual information by pressing a button, or twitching a finger may not translate to eye to hand coordination for young athletes. I know of no sports that utilize skills such as pushing buttons, or wiggling fingers. The only benefit that I see is the ability to concentrate in order to be successful. Concentration is essential to success in athletics, music, and learning almost anything.

For specific recommendations about activities that might benefit your young athlete, a visit with the coach at your school would probably be most productive. A person with training in the area of physical education that also knows your child could help far more than any article written on the subject for general consumption. One thing for sure, there could not be a more worthwhile activity than helping your own child develop successfully in both mind, and body.

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