#293 Geir Jordet - Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout
Aug 5, 2024
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Geir Jordet, a world-leading expert and Professor of Sport Psychology at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, shares insights from his extensive work with top football clubs. He discusses the psychology behind penalty shootouts and the mental pressures athletes face, emphasizing strategies like individual routines and gaze control to combat anxiety. Geir also highlights the evolution of player decision-making under stress, the importance of team support, and how psychological preparation can determine success or failure in these high-stakes moments.
The psychology of penalty shootouts is shaped by anxiety and the ability to manage it constructively for improved performance.
Establishing effective routines and mental preparation is critical for players to focus on skills over the pressure during penalties.
Team dynamics and emotional support significantly influence the success of penalty kicks, illustrating the importance of collective resilience.
Deep dives
The Beginnings of Penalty Shootout Psychology
The initial interest in studying the psychology of penalty shootouts began with personal experiences and early professional encounters. The speaker's own disappointing history with penalty kicks led to a pivotal moment during a radio debate about David Beckham's penalty miss at the 2004 Euros. This incident ignited a passion for understanding the psychological mechanisms at play during high-pressure situations like penalty shootouts. Collaborations with the Dutch Football Association further fueled this research interest, highlighting the complexity and intricacies involved in penalty taking.
Understanding Pressure and Choking Mechanisms
The experience of pressure during penalty shootouts is multifaceted, with anxiety being a prevalent emotion that players encounter. Players often exhibit behaviors such as avoiding eye contact with goalkeepers and taking either too long or too short steps during their run-up. This can lead to physical and psychological choke points, where their ability to perform consistently diminishes under stress. Insights from research reveal that while anxiety can be a hindrance, it can also be harnessed constructively if managed appropriately.
Control and Routines Under Pressure
Establishing control during a penalty shootout is vital, as players often lack full agency over the outcome, given the unpredictable nature of goalkeepers. Developing effective routines can help players focus on their skills rather than the pressure of the moment. Successful penalty takers like Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski utilize distinct techniques that reflect their control strategies, emphasizing the importance of both mental preparation and skill training. Reports indicate that psychological training, such as visualization and routine practice, can significantly improve a player's performance under pressure.
Goalkeeper Strategies and Counterplay
Goalkeepers have evolved their tactics to psychologically disrupt penalty takers, employing various methods to exploit pressure dynamics. These strategies include movement on the goal line, verbal taunts, and physical distractions like scuffing up the penalty spot. Research shows a steady increase in goalkeepers engaging in these techniques over the years, with more than half now actively attempting to throw off penalty takers' focus. An examination of historical penalty shootouts reveals how these goalkeeper tactics have changed the landscape of penalty kicking.
The Role of Team Dynamics in Penalty Situations
Penalty situations may seem like individual tasks, yet they are significantly impacted by team dynamics and support systems. Teammates can prepare and protect the designated penalty taker, helping to manage external pressures during the shootout. Examples from high-stakes tournaments illustrate how support strategies can reinforce team cohesion and alleviate pressure, highlighting the importance of collective resilience. Effective communication and emotional support from teammates are key components that can influence the overall success of penalty kicks.
I’m delighted to welcome back Professor Geir Jordet this week. Geir is a world-leading expert on the psychology of penalty shootouts.
Geir is Professor of Sport Psychology with a specialisation in football (soccer) and coaching at Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. His most extensive research interests involve performing under extreme pressure, cognitive and perceptual underpinnings of decision making, and talent development/effective learning. Geir’s work has been published in leading sport science and psychology journals such as Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, Journal of Sports Sciences, British Journal of Sports Medicine, and British Journal of Psychology, as well as in major media outlets - BBC World, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, El Pais and Spiegel.
Geir is an applied performance psychology consultant working primarily with professional soccer organisations and players, and among his clients are Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, Ajax Amsterdam FC, and Bayern Munich FC.
Geir and I discuss his brilliant new book “Pressure: Lessons from the Psychology of the Penalty Shootout” in which he draws on his two decades of studying performance under pressure. The book includes case studies which take you behind the scenes of football's most nail-biting moments and Geir interviews superstars and shares stories from his work with top teams and some of the world's best players.
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