Looking at the photos I have noticed that when marking above the head many players have their eyes closed;

and when kicking the ball the eyes are open.

Why is this? I have my own theory on this but am wondering what others think.

5 minutes ago, skills32 said:

Looking at the photos I have noticed that when marking above the head many players have their eyes closed;

and when kicking the ball the eyes are open.

Why is this? I have my own theory on this but am wondering what others think.

Does your theory just relate to the Demons? Have you cross referenced with photos from other teams?

Could also just be the shutter speed catching them with their eyes closed.

21 minutes ago, skills32 said:

Looking at the photos I have noticed that when marking above the head many players have their eyes closed;

and when kicking the ball the eyes are open.

Why is this? I have my own theory on this but am wondering what others think.

Just reflexes. When taking a mark the ball is in front of their face, when kicking it is not.

Not sure if that's your theory, but wouldn't think it was exactly groundbreaking.

Always thought it was some kind of natural reaction/mind thing where players expect some kind of contact. Very similar with soccer, most players have their eyes closed when heading the ball.

3 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Always thought it was some kind of natural reaction/mind thing where players expect some kind of contact. Very similar with soccer, most players have their eyes closed when heading the ball.

Agreed, I thought it was scientific fact that you can’t on a mark... seriously go out to a training ground and force your eyes to watch the ball in to your hands as you are running towards it and a mate spears it at you at full tilt. It’s quite hard to do. 

Very bizarre thread... The season needs to start ASAP

This revelation has left me dazed, confused and utterly bewildered. I've spent the last 45 minutes considering the possibilities that could be causing this phenomenon and I've come to believe there's only one answer. In order to mark the ball, a player is required to look up to the sky, to heaven, to god. The only explanation is that demons are inherently incapable of this, which does make perfect sense. Just another obstacle we'll have to overcome I suppose! Nice pick up OP! 

In the four examples above the players are being hit by a bag, simulating pack/opposition contact.

It's a reflex.

6 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

In the four examples above the players are being hit by a bag, simulating pack/opposition contact.

It's a reflex.

To be fair I inserted the photos into the OP as I believed that the OP was referring to the photos in the training thread and these were the 4 photos from that thread where players were marking with eyes closed. 

Your explanation is valid and probably correct. 

1 hour ago, skills32 said:

Looking at the photos I have noticed that when marking above the head many players have their eyes closed;

and when kicking the ball the eyes are open.

Why is this? I have my own theory on this but am wondering what others think.

This is MFCSS of the highest order, of course only at the Dee's are their eyes  closed, we're all the more than dumber after reading your topic

2 minutes ago, don't make me angry said:

We're all the more than dumber after reading your topic.

In your case, I really don't know if that is even possible.  ?

Sack Goodwin.

Reminds me of when Graeme Hick used to play the he hook shot with his eyes closed 

1 hour ago, don't make me angry said:

This is MFCSS of the highest order, of course only at the Dee's are their eyes  closed, we're all the more than dumber after reading your topic

Bull [censored].

You have no idea what you are talking about. 

A poster asks why many players close their eyes when marking and you turn it into an opportunity to bag them with your misappropriation of the term MFCSS.

Actually, why I'm wasting 2 mins writing this is beyond me.

C ya

Can we please start the season now?

5 hours ago, skills32 said:

Looking at the photos I have noticed that when marking above the head many players have their eyes closed;

and when kicking the ball the eyes are open.

Why is this? I have my own theory on this but am wondering what others think.

It is a blink of the eye a split second thing when meeting the ball. I don't think you can catch the ball on movement with your eyes shut and jumping to do it. 

Kicking the ball you would have to keep your eyes open when lowering and letting go of the ball to make sure  when connecting  with the foot.

Most photos of Gaz Snr marking show him either looking at the ground or eyes shut. I noticed this years ago and someone said he already knew he marked it before it actually was in his hands. Hmmm.

Then I heard someone say that he can watch the kick off the boot and run to where the ball will land without watching the arc which helped his run. Nothing would surprise me, I envied cat supporters and the only matches Id go to without Demons playing would be to see him.

Edit: Please start AFL! in this summer of our discontent.

Edited March 4, 20206 yr by Damo

You lot surprise me. All of these stupid theories relating to shutter speeds, players blinking etc... it’s obvious isn’t it? They’re using the force!

6 hours ago, nosoupforme said:

It is a blink of the eye a split second thing when meeting the ball. I don't think you can catch the ball on movement with your eyes shut and jumping to do it. 

Kicking the ball you would have to keep your eyes open when lowering and letting go of the ball to make sure  when connecting  with the foot.

I bring this up as  I did the same when playing.

I think that the brain dictates that feeling the ball into the hands, and then grasping is surer

and safer than than watching the ball and then grasping. You then don't make a grab at the ball; which is

a sure way to fumble.

The reason to watch the ball onto the  foot is to let the brain make an adjustment to the foot if the balldrop is not straight.