The 2012 UEFA Euros enter the knock out stage this week and that will almost certainly involve ‘PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS.'

Penalty shoot-outs were not introduced by UEFA to the European Championships until 1976. Until then teams who couldn't be separated following additional time had been obliged to replay matches, or, іn the case of a semi-final during 1968, have the outcome settled through the throw of a coin.

For more history of penalty shoot-outs at the European Championships read this excellent blog.

Since 1976, penalty shoot-outs were required on at least one occasion at every European Championship (except 1988) up to and including 2008 at the Knock Out Stages (In fact 4 games had to be decided by penalty shoot outs).

In the competition in which your team plays – Have you researched how frequent penalty shoot-outs occur?

Have you developed a strategy for winning penalty shoot-outs?

What does research tell us?

1.    Prozone : http://www.leadersinperformance.com/the-leader/prozone-analysis-penalty-shootouts-a-lottery-or-a-science/

• Shooting first is an advantage.

• It is more advantageous for a goal keeper to defend a penalty kick by remaining in the goal’s center rather than diving to one side. Despite the need to make a heroic effort, this situation may require doing less rather than more.

2.    Jordet et al, 2006: Kicks from the penalty mark in soccer: The roles of stress, skill, and fatigue for kick outcomes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 1-9, http://www.penaltyshootouts.co.uk/research.html

• The percentage success rate in the World Cup is 71.2% compared to 84.6% in the Euros. The success rate of each penalty kick changes throughout the competition: First kick 86.6%, Second kick 81.7%, Third kick 79.3%, Fourth kick 72.5%, Fifth kick 80%, ‘Sudden death’ kicks 64.3%

• Attackers successfully convert 83.1% of their penalties, midfield players convert 79.6% and defenders convert 73.6%.

• The length of time the players have been on the pitch is also important. If they have played 30 minutes of less, their success rate is 86.7%, although, of course, this might include the occasional substitution to put a good penalty taker on the pitch. Players who have played between 31 and 90 minutes successfully convert 81.9% of penalties, and players who play longer than 91 minutes, convert 80% of their chances.

• Age also seems important with younger players doing better. Players aged 22 or younger successfully convert 85.2% of attempts. Those aged between 23 and 28 convert 77.6%, and those aged over 29 years convert 78.1%.

Elite Soccer (www.elitesoccercoaching.net) provides this 8 point Guideline for Penalty Shoot-Outs by former FA Technical Director and Chairman of the LMA, Howard Wilkinson:

“It is important to establish a shoot-out routine, as would a golfer hitting a ball off the tee or a sprinter preparing to burst out of the starting blocks.

1 Ensure you and your team are clear on how they should act in the centre circle.

2 Be clear when a player should leave the centre circle to walk forward for his kick.

3 Recommend for that player a composed walk to the penalty area, with body language that is confident and assured.

4 Make sure he spots the ball properly – and never encourage him to cheat by moving it forward from the spot.

5 Ensure he always makes the same run-up.

6 Ensure he always uses the same technique – his favorite one.

7 Tell him he must never change his mind once he has decided where to aim.

8 Be certain that he kicks the ball in an assured manner, with good pace and placement”

As an example of the professionalism of the German FA please view these videos below from Erich Rutemoeller, former Chief Coaches Instructor of the German FA (DFB) and former coach of 1 FC Cologne, Hansa Rostock & the German Under 20 International Team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQRAowvFK8&feature=youtu.be

The English League Managers Association (LMA) at the beginning of 2012 launched the online education course in conjunction with Prozone Sports on ‘Performance Evaluation.'

This online course reviews all aspects of team and player evaluation, including all set plays (corners, free-kicks, throw-ins, kick-offs and of course penalties).

To learn more why not view further details and some of the 300 videos from the LMA School of Football Management Course on ‘Performance Evaluation' here and for details of the discount available to NSCAA members click here.

Since this course was launched at the beginning of 2012 over 200 coaches and managers from across the world have enrolled.

Focusing on improving how coaches evaluate players and teams the course highlights good practice in English, French, Dutch and Turkish clubs with over 300 Video Interview clips from 15 respected experts including LMA Managers, Youth Academies Directors and respected Performance Analysts.

To read what other coaches felt about this course please click here.

Following last week’s article on the importance of the first goal coaches may like to note the following features from First Goals in the first 16 Group games:

• Team scoring first had a 93.75 % chance of not loosing ( only one comeback in the first 16 games – from Ukraine)

• 25% of  ‘First Goals‘ from set plays - without the opposition touching the ball

• 75% of ‘First Goals‘ in open play scored within 12 seconds of regaining the ball

• 50% of all ‘First Goals’ have involved either a Cross or a Header (or both!)

• All goals scored from strikes within the penalty area

In Next Week’s article we will examine the importance of developing the winning culture as EURO 2012 enters the final phase.

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