Pirates of the Italian seas! Italy U-21 players trained with one eye covered...
Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
It's all about how the eyes perceive the game.
Details: Italy U-21 head coach Silvio Baldini instructed his players to wear black eye patches over one eye during the team's latest training session as part of their preparation for matches against the youth teams of Sweden and Armenia.
Baldini believes that wearing an eye patch helps develop depth perception and sharpens the dominant eye—the one the brain relies on most for processing information. This technique can help players boost their speed, coordination, and decision-making on the pitch.
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This method has already found success among rugby squads, golf champions, and some of the top drivers in Formula 1.
The 67-year-old Baldini is renowned for his creative training methods—he once held a practice session right on the beach.
Tomorrow, Italy's U-21 team will host their Swedish peers at home in the European Championship qualifiers, before facing Armenia U-21 at home on October 14.
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