Ignore your opponents, place the ball down carefully and wait three seconds before shooting: Football researcher details how to take the perfect penalty after 21 players scored in the Carabao Cup final shootout
- A Norwegian football researcher has explained how to take the perfect penalty
- Geir Jordet has written 15 scientific on the journals and said to ignore distraction
- The researcher also said it was important for a player to wait before shooting
Penalty shootouts are often described as a lottery but in reality taking spot-kicks is an art that can be perfected with psychology and preparation.
That’s according to football researcher Geir Jordet, who has written more than 15 scientific journals on the topic.
The Norwegian says the decisive moments happen in the 10 to 15 seconds before stepping up, rather than the technique from the kick itself.
A football researcher has said the key to taking a good penalty is to try and ignore distractions
‘First of all, it is key to not let the goalkeeper or other opponents distract you,’ Jordet explains to Sportsmail. ‘They will try to play mind games. Literally stand away from them and hold on to the ball.
‘Now, you must approach the penalty spot and place the ball down carefully — some players rush this when under stress.
‘Next, you must use techniques to control yourself mentally. Many top players now use deep breathing. Focus on your breathing and think about the type of shot you will pick.
Players should also place the ball down carefully and wait a few seconds before shooting
‘The type of shot is dependent on the goalkeeper. Some try to send the keeper the wrong way, whereas others will be irrelevant to the keeper — as is Mohamed Salah’s technique.
‘When the referee blows their whistle, take your time. Maybe take two or three breaths and wait for three or four seconds.
‘Most of the work is done now. All of your preparation will manifest in your shot. If you do the preparation correctly, the probability that you score is very high — as data shows.’
Some players wait to see what the keeper does while others will pick their spot well in advance
But how does a player block out the crowd cheers, or jeers, in a decisive moment or final?
‘It is not possible to simulate this pressure in training,’ adds Jordet. ‘But one can simulate the psychological aspects of taking a penalty.
‘We can portray a picture in the players’ minds of how the situation will be and let them be ready on how to behave.’
The researcher suggested more penalties are being scored as players are more prepared
On why a higher percentage of penalties are being scored, Jordet suggests: ‘Players are more prepared these days, even down the list of takers.
‘Players at the bottom of the list in a shootout used to be thrown in deep water and were not strong swimmers.
‘They were erratic, looked away and when the referee blew his whistle, they treated it like a race’s starting gun.’