There have been a record number of penalties during the first 10 days of the World Cup

In the 10 days since the Group Stages began, the tournament has seen a staggering 14 penalties in 27 games. The introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) is enabling referees to review footage of questionable tackles and player interaction then and there on the pitch. What may once have been a missed foul, can now be rewound and watched in slow motion to ensure a fairer result. VAR consists of a team of three people, who watch video replays of incidents in order to review decisions made by the central referee.

Fans have not been the most receptive to the use of VAR so far, complaining that whilst the ability to review is there, key fouls aren’t being caught. England Captain Harry Kane was man-handled whilst inside the box, dragged to the ground by his Tunisian markers during England’s first game. Despite fans taking angrily to Twitter and penalties having been awarded to Tunisia that match, referee Wilmar Roldan did not grant a penalty for England. The use of VAR may need work, but as it is giving referees the ability to grant penalties where they are otherwise missed, the pressure on players taking those penalties is high.

While anxiety associated with this responsibility is inevitable, evidence from sports science would indicate that the outcome is not down to luck. Danny Golding

How do players combat the anxiety and pressure of a penalty? Speaking to Express.co.uk Danny Golding, senior lecturer in psychology research methods at the University of Bedfordshire, says penalties don’t revolve around luck. He said: “While anxiety associated with this responsibility is inevitable, evidence from sports science would indicate that the outcome is not down to luck. “Norwegian sport psychologist Professor Geir Jordet has extensively researched penalty taking behaviours. “He finds that confidence or ‘self-efficacy’ makes an important contribution to success, with athletes with low-belief competencies experiencing heightened anxiety and reduced performance.”

Rehearsing the process of taking a penalty helps players focus say sports psychologists

England manager Gareth Southgate has a unique experience in penalty preparation, having himself missed a penalty for England in the 1996 UEFA European Championship. In the 1996 Euros, Southgate took a penalty in the semi-final against Germany, which was saved and ultimately saw England knocked from the tournament. Southgate was devastated at his near miss, and with his inconsolable reaction showed the impact taking penalties has on players. Aided by Head of Team Development psychologist Dr Pippa Grange, Southgate will have prepped the England squad for the pressures of a World Cup stage from his own experience.

Gareth Southgate was devastated after missing his penalty in the 1996 European Championship

As England prepare for their second World Cup game, let's hope their preparation and self-confidence will see them excel at any penalties they may face. Confidence and a positive attitude are key to the art of reducing the anxiety around penalty taking say sports psychologists. Another key feature involves rehearsing the routine of taking the actual penalty. Mr Golding said: “A penalty shoot-out has a number of distinct phases: the ANTICIPATION in the lull after the full-time whistle, the WAIT in the centre circle prior to your penalty, the WALK to the sport and finally the SHOT itself.

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