Marsden Ball: Level Two — Thinking in Motion

By Level Two, smooth eye movement is no longer enough. Once the patient can follow the ball reliably, we begin layering in complexity — adding cognitive load to test how the visual system performs when attention is divided. It’s one thing to track motion; it’s another to do it while the brain is busy thinking. The Marsden Ball becomes less of a visual target and more of a stage for multitasking under pressure.

Start by varying the movement. The ball can swing side to side, up and down, or in circular paths. Then, add a mental task: call out letters or numbers printed on the ball, spell simple words, or solve quick math problems as it moves. The trick is maintaining smooth tracking while processing something unrelated. When done well, it’s almost like patting your head and rubbing your stomach — vision, language, and motor control all dancing together.

You can also expand the challenge spatially. Have the patient maintain focus on the ball while catching beanbags tossed from the side. This introduces peripheral awareness and divided attention, two critical skills for reading, sports, and classroom focus. The patient learns to keep their visual anchor steady even when unexpected movement enters their field of view.

What’s remarkable about Level Two is how much it mirrors real life. Our visual system is rarely given a single job. We’re constantly asked to focus, think, move, and respond — often all at once. This stage teaches patients to stay visually centered amid cognitive noise, a lesson that carries far beyond the therapy room.

Tired of Equipment Getting in the Way of Therapy?

The Emergent Marsden Ball is designed for exactly that. Its rubberized weight provides superior tactile feedback, the pull-proof disk ensures uninterrupted sessions, and the 15-foot cord offers unmatched versatility in your therapy space.

Most importantly, it's red/green cancellable, transforming this foundational tool into a powerful instrument for binocular work and suppression control.

→ Experience the difference: The New Red/Green Cancellable Emergent Marsden Ball

Next up: Level Three — Balance and Body Awareness.