Scan the Field

Eyes Up! by TJ Kostecky with Dan DiClerico
Matt Holt Books, February 6, 2024

On the surface, Eyes Up! provides a roadmap for soccer players to improve their skills using the Vision Training methodology. Vision Training encourages athletes to persist through adversity, plan with purpose, and shift their mindset. These principles not only create value for athletes, but can also be applied in schools to help students maximize their wellbeing and discover meaning in their lives. Kostecky is the head coach of the Bard College Men’s Soccer program, and has worked with international superstars such as Claudio Reyna and Julie Foudy. Instead of overcoaching through difficult moments, he encourages players to scan the field so that they can anticipate challenges and formulate appropriate responses. Educators are also tasked with teaching students the necessary skills to become independent problem solvers and develop self-accountability as they work toward their goals. The authors remind us that you cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can control your response. To counteract increasing student anxiety and mental health concerns, young people need effective approaches for navigating life. Eyes Up! offers a novel framework for students to find deeper meaning in their academic pursuits and lead lives filled with joy and purpose.