11 seconds. Marcus Rashford. Nobody has EVER stood that long prior to a kick in a big tournament penalty shootout (for 45 years)! What does time spent standing still after the referee’s whistle say about performing under pressure? Thread about time, penalties, and Rashford (1/9)
Historically, quick is linked to misses; players sometimes seek relief from pressure and rush to the detriment of shot quality (sciencedirect.com/science/articl…). The 3 shootouts BEFORE the final support this; those who scored took considerably more time than those who missed (2/9)
This was reversed in the extraordinary penalty shootout in the final. ENG and ITA players who missed their penalties took unusually long time to start moving after the referee’s signal (on average), and noticeably longer than players who scored. Why the changed pattern? (3/9)
The final was NOT special because of time taken prior to goals. Players who scored took 2.5 seconds (identical to tournament average). Kane (5) and McGuire (4.5) longest. However, players who missed took much longer than previously. Rashford (11) and Belotti (7) longest (4/9)
Rashford always takes time at the penalty mark, usually with success. With his last 12 penalty kicks prior to the Euros (10 goals), he took 5,7 seconds after the whistle (average, min: 3, max: 8). In the final, he raised it. 11 seconds! New world record! Why the extra wait? (5/9)
One answer is PRESSURE! A final. 55 years of hurt. Wembley. Substituted on too late. Hardly played in previous games. His words: “A penalty was all I had asked to contribute to the team”. His teammates had done the job so far. Now up to HIM whether everyone gets the reward (6/9)
This was probably the most important kick in Rashford’s life. He knew: “Something didn’t feel quite right.” He took time trying to cope: “During the long run-up I was saving myself a bit of time and unfortunately the result was not what I wanted.” (7/9) theguardian.com/football/2021/…
Rashford seems to have followed a good recipe to cope. Key to taking time is NOT to pass time for its own sake, which may produce over-thinking and extra stress. Rather, spend a few seconds focusing on what you can control. A few deep breaths, task focus, trust your shot! (8/9)
Time is as much an effect (of pressure) as it is a cause (of performance). Some react with speed, to end discomfort. Others feel pressure, but don’t escape and stay with the pain until they're ready. This requires incredible emotional discipline. Sometimes that's not enough (9/9)
Sometimes, mediocre researchers misquote marvelous men... Rashford said, "A penalty was all I'D BEEN asked to contribute FOR the team." My apologies for the typos! @MarcusRashford
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A penalty shootout is a psychological battle. In the 2023 Women’s World Cup, players on Sweden & USA tried to cope with stress in very different ways.
We cannot see inside their heads, but we can observe micro behaviors & try to infer what they mean.
Here are my best guesses.
The two goalkeepers handed the ball to their penalty takers ahead of each penalty kick. This is a, by now, well-known strategy to give each penalty taker a friendly start to their pre-shot routine.
However, the two teams substantially differed in HOW this hand-off took place.
Naeher, the US GK, did a quick & focused hand-off.
Then, for the first 3 US penalties, Sullivan, Horan & Mewis had a nearly identical pre-shot routine.
✔️Eyes focused on the ball
✔️A 3 sec pause after the whistle
✔️A deep breath prior to run-up
Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty kick against Manchester United s a pure test of performance under pressure.
Penalty at 0-0.
8 minutes into overtime.
One way to maintain calm here is to proactively take control over yourself & the situation.
How did Mac Allister do this? 1/5
First, Mac Allister grabbed the ball early, then moved away from the commotion and chaos around the referee and the penalty spot.
This is likely helpful to keep a clear focus on the task - the imminent shot, and avoid opponents' attempts to disturb and distract. 2/5
When the penalty area is cleared, Mac Allister moves towards the penalty mark, places the ball & takes up a waiting position by the ball – instead of immediately walking back.
I like the composed, step-by-step routine, where HE (and not others) decides when he does what. 3/5
Was this the moment that decided the United v Brighton FA Cup Semifinal?
Wout Weghorst scored his kick, then got the ball and handed it over to Brighton’s Solly March with his own “kiss of death”.
March proceeded to deliver the only miss in the shootout.
Here the details: 1/6
Up until this point, Brighton goalkeeper Sanchez had given the ball to the Brighton players.
This is a routine many teams have employed since England successfully did it at the 2018 World Cup.
The do it to give the penalty taker a “friendly” beginning to their kick routine. 2/6
When Weghorst spotted the ball and handed it over with his personal greeting, he also attracted attention from the referee, who carefully monitored the situation.
While the referee then had his back to De Gea, the United GK started brushing his foot along the penalty mark. 3/6
Lionel Messi has an extraordinary ability to perceive & act appropriately upon critical information on the pitch.
Here is a breakdown of his perceptual, cognitive & emotional performance in key moments of the 2022 World Cup final - starting with his 3-2 goal.
Thread 1/12
For this goal in the 109th minute, Messi scans extensively towards areas off the ball prior to receiving the ball.
In the last 10 seconds before scoring, he has 7 scans (0.7 scans/sec). Initially, his scans are long, allowing him to gather more information from each scan.
2/12
Right before Messi gets the ball the first time, he swiftly redirects his gaze when the ball moves right to left.
A head-to-head gaze comparison with Upamecano shows Messi moving his gaze to imminent ball locations a few 1/10s of a second earlier than the French defender.
3/12
Kylian Mbappé performed EXTRAORDINARY under pressure in the 2022 World Cup final.
At only 23, he scored 4 goals, including 3 penalties, in which the one in the 118' min would secure a loss for France if he were to miss.
What did he do prior to these pressure kicks?
Thread 1/
Background: Mbappé is one of the world’s best & most expensive players. Our study suggests status adds pressure & reduces penalty performance tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…
Being a Black player comes w additional risks of racist fallout if he were to miss, adding even more pressure. 2/
Prior to Mbappé's 1st penalty, Argentina’s players try mind games to disturb him.
Acuna lingers around the penalty mark, indicating he wants to scuff it up.
Mbappé puts his left foot down and waits for the referee. He quietly protects the penalty mark, with no extra fuss. 3/
Argentina is world champion after a penalty shootout master class. At the core of their performance is goalkeeper Emi Martinez' mind games.
Martinez dominated the French penalty takers, forcing two misses.
Here’s a step-by-step description of his tricks in the final. Thread. 1/
Martinez set the stage and took ownership of the penalty area from the beginning.
While Lloris completed the coin toss, Martinez quickly walked to the penalty area, waiting for Lloris to come, like he was welcoming a visitor to his own home: “You’re in my house now!” 2/
When Lloris arrives, Martinez initiates a handshake. Same w Mbappé.
This is his style. He can be warm & lovely at first, which makes people drop their guard, leaving them more vulnerable when he later strikes. This ambiguity is in itself abusive and part of his strategy. 3/