06/11/2026
The penalty myth.
Most people think penalty shoot-outs are all about skill.
They are. But they are also about pressure.
Research from ETH Zurich found that around 80% of penalties are converted during normal play. In penalty shoot-outs, that number drops to about 75%.
The difference isn’t goalkeepers suddenly becoming superheroes.
It’s pressure.
When the stakes rise, even elite athletes perform differently. The mind becomes part of the game.
This is why great coaches train more than technique. They train focus, confidence, decision-making, and emotional control.
The best players don’t just practice penalties.
They practice handling pressure.
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