The Sports Psychology Blog
Today's Sports Psychology blog comes as Glasgow Rangers prepare for the UEFA Cup final against Zenit St. Petersburg.
Football: Glasgow Rangers - Decisiveness!
So tomorrow night, Glasgow Rangers take on Zenit St. Petersburg in the UEFA Cup. They do so, on the back of a penalty shoot-out success in Fiorentina. Given the containing strategy that Walter Smith employs, there exists a reasonable chance, that this final tie could also be decided from the spot.
In a study last year by European psychologists, it was revealed that penalty takers, who feel that a penalty shoot-out is a lottery, missed from the spot, more often than those players, who had supreme confidence in their own ability.
This makes perfect sense. Decisiveness is the key ingredient in any successful spot-kick. The player must be clear in his mind about what he is going to do. And how he is going to do it. Then fully commit to that course of action. Commitment stems from a trust in their own decision-making ability. And previous successful kicks. In the mental battle with the keeper, the penalty taker holds all the aces.
In the science of the shoot-out, each of the five kicks has consequences. The first penalty, if successful, relieves the tension. A good start is important, and so a strong, confident penalty-taker should be entrusted with this first one. Someone who likes to lead from the front is ideal.
The second penalty, can confirm that initial feeling of confidence, but it is not make or break. Therefore, the weakest of the five penalty takers, can slot in here.
The third kick, at the half-way stage, sets up the finale, and is suited to a solid, reliable penalty taker. Success here, can turn the shoot-out in your favour, or keep you in the contest.
The fourth kick requires a lot of nerve and bottle, and is ideally suited to an experienced taker, as it can be a decisive spot kick.
The fifth penalty, may not always be necessary, but should go to the player, who thrives on a sense of theatre and drama.
Rangers shoot-out success in Fiorentina will stand them in good stead in Manchester. They have positive memories to draw on, and have no need to fear failure. If a successful penalty begins in the mind, Glasgow Rangers should be well prepared.
