From Gaze to Game: A Systematic Review of Eye Tracking Applications in Basketball

Background/Objectives: Eye tracking technology has gained increasing attention in sports science as it provides valuable insights into visual attention, decision-making, and motor planning. This systematic review examines the application of eye-tracking technology in basketball, highlighting its role in analyzing cognitive and perceptual strategies in players, referees and coaches. Methods: A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies published up December 2024 were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science using keywords related to basketball, eye tracking and visual search. Inclusion criteria focused on studies using eye-tracking technology to assess athletes, referees, and coaches. A total of 1706 articles were screened, of which 19 met the eligibility criteria. Results: Eye-tracking studies have shown that expert basketball players exhibit longer quiet eye (QE) durations and more efficient gaze behaviors compared to novices. In high-pressure situations, skilled players maintain more stable QE characteristics, leading to better shot accuracy. Referees rely on efficient gaze strategies to make split-second decisions, although less experienced referees tend to neglect key visual cues. In coaching, eye-tracking studies suggest that guided gaze techniques improve tactical understanding in novice players, but have limited effects on experienced athletes. Conclusions: Eye tracking is a powerful tool for studying cognitive and behavioral functioning in basketball, offering valuable insights for performance enhancement and training strategies. Future research should explore real-game settings using mobile eye trackers and integrate artificial intelligence to further refine gaze-based training methods.