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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Linda Geddes Science correspondent

THE TRUTH ABOUT: Goalkeepers perceive the world differently study suggests - Caught on Camera

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez. Researchers hope to explore whether players in other positions also show perceptual differences. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters

The former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel once said that to be able to work well in the box, you have to be able to think outside the box.

Now scientific data supports the idea that goalies’ brains really do perceive the world differently – their brains appear able to merge signals from the different senses more quickly, possibly underpinning their unique abilities on the football pitch.

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