Expert Insights: How to Truly Watch a Penalty Shootout

Geir Jordet, a renowned expert on penalty shootouts and author of “Pressure,” has offered a detailed guide on how to truly appreciate and analyze these decisive football moments. With extensive research and experience consulting with elite teams, Jordet breaks down the psychology and strategy involved, providing fans with a new lens through which to view the drama of a shootout.

The Psychology of the Huddle

Jordet highlights the critical three minutes between extra time and the start of a shootout as a key leadership opportunity for coaches. He notes that historically, many coaches have opted for a volunteer-based approach to selecting penalty takers. However, Jordet argues that the “gold standard” involves pre-tournament planning and a pre-set ranking of takers. He points to Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni in the 2022 World Cup as an example of effective, direct communication, where a concise plan allowed for subsequent player support. Interestingly, Jordet observes that teams spending less time on logistics during this huddle tended to win their shootouts, suggesting a correlation between preparation and success.

Coin Toss Dynamics

The coin toss, often seen as purely procedural, holds subtle psychological weight. Jordet explains that while teams often prefer the goal defended by their own fans, scientific data shows no significant “home advantage” in penalty shootouts. Regarding who shoots first, older research suggested an advantage, but more recent studies indicate no clear benefit, with both first and second-shooting teams winning approximately 49% of the time. He does, however, recall Italian captain Giorgio Chiellini’s unconventional psychological tactics against Spain in Euro 2020 as an example of how a captain can influence the mental landscape before a kick is even taken.

The Mid-Circle Tension

Perhaps the most overlooked phase, according to Jordet, is the “mid-circle” – the waiting area for penalty takers. He describes this as where the psychological foundation for each kick is laid, with tension and anxiety often peaking here due to the passive nature of waiting and the inability to control events. This period, often undocumented by cameras, is crucial for understanding the mental state of players as they prepare for their crucial kicks.

Key facts

For FootballGames10 readers, understanding these nuances can transform the viewing experience of a penalty shootout from mere chance to a strategic and psychological battle. It sheds light on the different approaches coaches take and the mental fortitude required of players under immense pressure.

Source: The Athletic Football – How to really watch a penalty shootout, by Geir Jordet (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7404567/2026/06/30/how-to-watch-penalty-shootout-geir-jordet/)