This study investigates the effect of visual training on the efficacy of goal shooting performance and the individual tactical capabilities of penalty kickers in soccer. A newly-developed, automated System was used to present visual Stimuli during training. Expert (N=9) and intermediate penalty kickers (N=9) performed a pre-treatment test consisting of 24 kicks in an actual play Situation with expert (N=3) and intermediate goalkeepers (N=3). Both groups of kickers then completed 10 training sessions with the automatic System (no goalkeepers involved), and then repeated the initial test in the post-treatment evaluation. As variables we measured efficacy as the number of goals obtained, and whether the direction of the kick was the same as or different from the direction of the goalkeeper's move (DDG). Pre-treatment results were homogeneous in both groups, but only expert kickers scored significantly more goals in the post-treatment evaluation. Differences in tactical skills were manifested as changes in DDG in the expert group. The results suggest that penalty kicking in soccer can be viewed as an open motor skill dependent on the goalkeeper's actions.
© Copyright 2005 Journal of Human Movement Studies. Teviot-Kimpton. Published by Teviot Scientific Publications. All rights reserved.