Anxiety is the most significant contributing factor to performance failure in football penalty shootouts (Jordet et al., 2007, 2012). Indeed, the penalty is one of very few occasions in this predominantly fast-moving, team sport when players are under individual scrutiny and have sufficient time to think about the consequences of failure (Jordet & Elferink-Gemser, 2012). Furthermore, unlike most other skills that are susceptible to choking effects (e.g., golf putting), the opposing team`s goalkeeper increases uncertainty and has a direct influence on performance success. Among practitioners there is considerable confusion and controversy regarding the type, utility and effectiveness of practice and preparation for a penalty shootout. Indeed, penalty shootouts are often referred to as a `lottery`, with the outcome dependent on luck rather than skill. We argue that such an interpretation is potentially damaging to players` control beliefs and ultimately to their performance, and that interventions designed to increase perceptions of control might be useful.
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