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Tag Archives: sports psychology

Emotions and soccer

Soccer players have made an art form of racing around like a chook with its head cut off after scoring a goal. Their self-congratulatory jigs may look ridiculous, but they serve a greater purpose. They are contagious, designed to infect their teammates.

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How to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup

With so many football teams on equally footing, the 2010 FIFA World Cup may well be decided on penalty shootouts. A new study may explain why some soccer teams keep losing in penalty shootouts, and could even help them address the problem in time for the World Cup.

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Helping goalkeepers save penalties

In soccer penalty kicks, goalkeepers choose their action before they can clearly observe the kick direction. An analysis of 286 penalty kicks in top leagues and championships worldwide shows that given the probability distribution of kick direction, the optimal strategy for goalkeepers is to stay in the goal’s centre. Goalkeepers, however, almost always jump right or left. Why?

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