Visual Search Strategies of Soccer Players Executing a Power vs. Placement Penalty Kick

Abstract

IntroductionWhen taking a soccer penalty kick, there are two distinct kicking techniques that can be adopted; a ‘power’ penalty or a ‘placement’ penalty. The current study investigated how the type of penalty kick being taken affected the kicker’s visual search strategy and where the ball hit the goal (end ball location).MethodWearing a portable eye tracker, 12 university footballers executed 2 power and placement penalty kicks, indoors, both with and without the presence of a goalkeeper. Video cameras were used to determine initial ball velocity and end ball location.ResultsWhen taking the power penalty, the football was kicked significantly harder and more centrally in the goal compared to the placement penalty. During the power penalty, players fixated on the football for longer and more often at the goalkeeper (and by implication the middle of the goal), whereas in the placement penalty, fixated longer at the goal, specifically the edges. Findings remained consistent irrespective of goalkeeper presence.Discussion/conclusionFindings indicate differences in visual search strategy and end ball location as a function of type of penalty kick. When taking the placement penalty, players fixated and kicked the football to the edges of the goal in an attempt to direct the ball to an area that the goalkeeper would have difficulty reaching and saving. Fixating significantly longer on the football when taking the power compared to placement penalty indicates a greater importance of obtaining visual information from the football. This can be attributed to ensuring accurate foot-to-ball contact and subsequent generation of ball velocity. Aligning gaze and kicking the football centrally in the goal when executing the power compared to placement penalty may have been a strategy to reduce the risk of kicking wide of the goal altogether.

The effects of combining focus of attention and autonomy support on shot accuracy in the penalty kick

“…Previous research examining the OPTIMAL theory also showed that an external focus of attention contributes to goal-action coupling by shifting concentration towards the task goal while at the same time reducing self-focus [27]. Furthermore, it has been observed when players performed an accurate penalty kick, they fixed their attention on the desired target [28] or edge of the goal [29]. In addition to utilizing an external focus, it appears that fixating on such cues provides visual information about target location that is essential to control the action.…”

Tattoos and Penalty Success at the FIFA World Cup 2018

“…However, in recent years, attempts have been made to better understand and explain their outcomes scientifically [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. It appears that many variables including kicking technique, visual search strategies, tactical skills and fitness contribute to the performance of penalty takers, alongside basic "chance" [17,18]. However, psychological factors are reportedly the most influential determinant of penalty outcomes [14].…”

Intervenção comportamental para melhorar a precisão do “chute no gol” em jogadores de futebol

“…Alguns estudos procuraram identificar quais são as variáveis que determinam os chutes corretos e verificaram que os chutes mais precisos são aqueles com menor velocidade (Timmis, Turner & Van Paridon, 2014), os que ocorrem independentemente da possível reação do goleiro (Castillo, Oña, Raya, Bilbao & Serra, 2010) e aqueles apresentados por jogadores que não tentaram enganar o goleiro no instante da cobrança (Smeeton & Wiliams, 2012).…”