Just stand still, stupid

[dbsweeney 0]

Ever wondered why football goalkeepers almost always make spectacular dives in those nail-biting penalty shoot-outs?

 

What’s more, ever thought about why they often dramatically fail to save the shot. Well, according to the findings of recently published international research, they’d be better off standing still to win the game for their team – a salient lesson in the lead up to this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

 

The reason they dive appears to involve an age-old question of psychology.

 

Their decisions boil down to peer pressure: goalies feel that, if they dive, their coach, fans and team-mates will think they’ve done their all to deflect the shot.

 

But, after watching hundreds of penalty shoot-outs, researchers concluded they’d be better off literally doing nothing, or more accurately, standing still in the centre of the goalmouth - rather than diving to their left, or right.

 

If they remained still, they would likely save one out of every three penalties.

 

Diving to their left, or right, would result in a chance of below 15 per cent in making a successful stop.

[OTF 7712]

If goal keepers started standing still they wouldn't save 15% of penalties let alone 33.3%

[Asprilla 96]

Also, players would know to shoot for the corner.

[OTF 7712]

Also, players would know to shoot for the corner.

 

Thankyou for spelling my post out.

Edited April 8, 2010 by OzToonFan