Explaining Panenka Penalties
Abstract
The Panenka penalty, immortalized by Antonín Panenka in 1976, is one of the most audacious moves in soccer. Unlike the traditional powerful shot, this technique employs subtlety and psychology to deceive the goalkeeper. It consists of a soft strike that gently lifts the ball towards the center of the goal as the goalkeeper dives to one side. Executing it requires exceptional composure and precise technique to control height and speed. Figures like Zidane and Messi have used it as a symbol of ingenuity and creativity, turning each successful penalty into a work of art.
References
Contreras-Hernández, J.P., Elizondo-Vargas, E., Jiménez-Díaz, J., y Montero-Herrera, B. (2022). Influencia de la práctica física y mental en la precisión de lanzamientos de penal de fútbol. Revista Horizonte, 13-26. https://doi.org/10.32735/S0718-818820202011
Hunter, A.H., Pavlic, T.P., Angilletta, M.J., y Wilson, R.S. (2022). Identifying the best strategy for soccer penalty success: A predictive model for optimising behavioural and biomechanical trade-offs. Journal of Biomechanics, 141, 111208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111208
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