Spot ON: Liverpool's prepping for penalties

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Van Dijk in action

In the pre quarter finals of UEFA champions League(UCL) of 2023-24 edition, Arsenal-Porto and Inter Milan-Atletico Madrid games were decided in penalty shoot out. Game decided by penalty shoot out happened last time in 2015-16 season. It's attributed to the abolishment of away goal rule by UEFA. It increased probability of shoot-outs in knock out stages. Backroom staff anticipates it and start conditioning of players to take it much in advance. Here is a brief prep work found in Pep Ljinder's book Intensity to learn the planning and preparation teams do.

Liverpool have defined a six step process to condition penalty takers mentally and technically. With the help of Nuero11(a consulting firm for mental strength training in elite sports), coaching staff identifies players with personality to take kick and implement proper pre-shot routine, specific for each player under different physical and mental conditions. Social hierarchy is a key element for inducing social pressure, so players and in which order to be taken is defined.

Following are the six steps listed for preparation:

  1. Identify where player wants to shoot, so backroom staff would assess and clarify ideal target for him. For example, one with natural confidence should define their shot high in the corners because it's the biggest chance to score.
  2. Training to shoot at the identified target withoug goalkeeper.
  3. To identify accuracy in shots, four kicks with and without a goalkeeper is practiced. It helps to identify power and accuracy needed even if keeper go to the corner player has opted.
  4. Now, it's time to induce social pressure. Train penalties while other players watching and throwing balls away (practice for acts of Emi Martinez in 2022 FIFA World cup). To be clear in mind, player has to tell coach where he'd shoot exactly.
  5. Next, tell keeper where he would shoot the ball exactly. Goalie and other players could distract player after he stepped up.
  6. Ultimate training is practising penalty against keeper after an official game with the vibe still hanging around the place. Player won't tell anyone where he will shoot to replicate exact game conditions.
As per Pep Ljinder's, this create confidence in penalty takers who could eliminate social distrations.

Create a habit and perfect it each day. It's a life lesson too. Right?