Story perspectives

Pressure Training Elevates US, England Penalty Success

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. 2026 World Cup teams use pressure-training to improve penalty-shoot-out success.
A sport-psychology PhD began penalty-kick research in 2004 and advised the World Cup and the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Data show top athletes miss free throws, putts and tennis errors under high stakes, similar to penalty misses.
England’s Football Association launched a ‘penalty project’ in 2018, improving its record from six of seven losses (1990-2012) to three wins since 2018.

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Story summary

U.S. 2026 World Cup teams use pressure-training to improve penalty-shoot-out success.
A sport-psychology PhD began penalty-kick research in 2004 and advised the World Cup and the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Data show top athletes miss free throws, putts and tennis errors under high stakes, similar to penalty misses.
England’s Football Association launched a ‘penalty project’ in 2018, improving its record from six of seven losses (1990-2012) to three wins since 2018.