ABSTRACT
The penalty kick is a specific act during (or at the end) of a soccer match that can elicit strong emotional responses in the players involved, which has the potential to impact on skill execution. This chapter will explore the psychological impact of penalty kicks on those involved (takers and goalkeepers) and the practical strategies that can be employed by players to maintain an optimum level of emotional control. The authors will discuss their work with players and challenge the traditional argument that you can’t recreate the pressure of a match situation to effectively practice penalties.
