Nine missed stuttered penalties at World Cup raise doubts about penalty technique

The penalty stutter, a technique popularised since the 1960s, faces scrutiny after several high-profile misses at the World Cup. Kylian Mbappe's stuttered penalty was saved by Morocco's goalkeeper Bono during France's 2-0 victory, raising questions about the effectiveness of this polarising method. With nine out of 19 stuttered penalties missed in the tournament, the technique's success rate has dipped below that of traditional penalties, prompting discussions about its future.

Football psychology expert Geir Jordet notes that the stutter can give takers a slight advantage, but recent performances suggest goalkeepers are adapting. The laws of the game were modified in 2016 to limit the effectiveness of stutters, yet many top penalty takers still employ the technique. However, goalkeepers like Bono have begun to counteract this by using feints and psychological tactics to unsettle the takers.

Bono's success against stuttered penalties has been evident throughout the tournament, including his crucial save against Mbappe. His ability to read penalty takers and create doubt has led to significant misses, including Justin Kluivert's failed attempt for the Netherlands. This trend highlights a shift in the balance of power between penalty takers and goalkeepers, with the latter gaining the upper hand.

As goalkeepers refine their techniques, the stutter may still have a place in the game. Jordet suggests that unpredictability remains key for penalty takers, who must keep goalkeepers guessing. While the stutter has faced criticism, its evolution alongside goalkeeping strategies may lead to new developments in penalty-taking styles as the tournament progresses. The ongoing arms race between takers and keepers promises to keep the conversation alive throughout the World Cup.

via Sky Sports