Nothing is more hated in soccer than penalty shootouts. If you are a casual viewer who only watches the game every four years when the World Cup rolls around, it may please you to know that die-hard fans also share your disgust with this moment.
But even a penalty given during regulation play has a host of problems, namely the taker and the placement. It is nothing less than infuriating when you consider that a clumsy defender can draw a penalty at the edge of the 20-yard box by the touchline, a position from which he has virtually no chance of scoring on his own, and is rewarded with centering the ball just 12 yards in front of a gaping goal with only the keeper in the way. Not for Clumsy to take his chance, nor Sneezy, or even Doc, but for team’s marquee striker.
Fantastic overview of a wonderful research programme! Did someone say recently on TV that there is no science behind the penalty kick...? I suggest they read this! https://t.co/sZ2JLPffBh
— Prof Richard Thelwell (@thelwellrc) July 6, 2021
The only explanation for this disproportionate punishment is encompassed in the name itself: penalty. This move is designed to be a punishment for the defending team, rewarding the attacking team with as close to a sure-thing goal as can be justified.
How many penalties are made?
And the statistics reveal that it is indeed a pretty sure thing. 85% of penalties taken at the top-flight level are scored, while only 11% are saved. That other 4%? That is when the kicker simply shanks it.
Of course among this 85%, there are a host of styles and targets to consider. Research shows that you are best off simply taking three to four steps and kicking it low and straight. Here is a humorous take on this knowledge given by the magnificent Stephen Fry on the British television show QI:
Penalty Shootouts
There are some interesting variations on these numbers when it comes to a penalty shootout, however. While 85% of regulation penalties end up in the back of the net, that number actually falls as you go down the order in a shootout, to less than 70% by the time you get to kicker number six.
After receiving an individual prize, a player will be expected to score from a penalty only 65% of the time, so leaning on your big stars is not necessarily the best option either. Research has shown that in a shootout, your best penalty taker should go first. Your second best should go fifth. Order, it turns out, really matters in shootouts.
Always the most effective penalty takers are those who feel in complete control of the ball and where it goes. The players who feel as if it is all a lottery are more likely to miss than to score. Most tellingly, however, is that they are also more likely to miss than for the keeper to save the shot.
Soccer players who feel anxious at the thought of kicking a penalty kick and who miss the goal show more activity in the prefrontal cortex. #soccer #psychology #neuroscience #sciencehttps://t.co/lpDtioSHjb
— Neuroscience News (@NeuroscienceNew) May 7, 2021
The biggest opponent in a penalty is not the goalkeeper, but the kicker himself. Most tend to be right-footed, and will kick left. Knowing this, many will try and go the other way, and indeed most saves are made on the lower right side of the goal.
Best advice? Pick a spot, be decisive, don’t monkey around with stutter steps, and kick it straight. Or, as Stephen Fry says, “Be German.”
As an avid soccer enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the game, I can confidently address the concerns raised in the article regarding penalty kicks. My knowledge extends beyond the casual viewer's perspective, encompassing the nuances of penalty kicks, statistics, and the psychological aspects involved.
Firstly, the article touches upon the disdain that both casual and die-hard fans share for penalty shootouts. This sentiment is not unfounded, as penalty shootouts are often considered a less-than-ideal way to determine the outcome of a match. Even penalties awarded during regulation play are scrutinized for various reasons, including the identity of the player taking the kick and the positioning of the ball.
The author points out the frustration that arises when a clumsy defender draws a penalty at the edge of the 20-yard box, only to be rewarded with a prime scoring opportunity from just 12 yards away. This observation highlights the disproportionate nature of the punishment associated with penalties, emphasizing the term "penalty" itself as a punishment for the defending team.
The article also references a tweet by Prof Richard Thelwell, praising a research program that sheds light on the science behind penalty kicks. This tweet underscores the idea that there is, indeed, a scientific aspect to understanding the dynamics of penalty kicks.
Moving on to the statistics, the article mentions that 85% of penalties taken at the top-flight level are scored, with only 11% being saved. The remaining 4% accounts for instances where the kicker simply mish*ts the ball. This statistical breakdown reinforces the notion that penalty kicks are, in general, a high-probability scoring opportunity.
The author delves into penalty shootout statistics, revealing a drop in the success rate as the order of kickers progresses. This decline, falling to less than 70% by the time of the sixth kicker, suggests that the order in which players take penalties in a shootout matters significantly. Research cited in the article recommends having the best penalty taker go first and the second-best go fifth.
Furthermore, the psychological aspect of penalty kicks is explored, noting that players who feel in complete control of the ball and the shot are more likely to succeed. Conversely, those who view the process as a lottery are more prone to miss. The article mentions research indicating that players who experience anxiety during penalty kicks exhibit increased activity in the prefrontal cortex.
Finally, the article provides practical advice for penalty takers, emphasizing the importance of decisiveness, avoiding unnecessary stutter steps, and kicking the ball straight. The humorous reference to Stephen Fry's suggestion to "Be German" encapsulates the idea of adopting a focused and efficient approach to penalty kicks.
In conclusion, my expertise in soccer allows me to affirm the validity of the insights provided in the article, combining statistical analysis with psychological considerations to offer a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding penalty kicks in the sport.
