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This means that penalty takers need additional counter measures to be unpredictable. The best, Kane and Lewandowski, have adopted such a measure - ALTERNATING technique. Sometimes GK-independent. Sometimes GK-dependent. Sometimes even alternating in the same game. What's next?

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Another way to stop GK-dependent penalty takers is to make a deceptive move at the exact moment the penalty taker makes the decision for where to shoot, then swiftly shift centre of gravity and go opposite. Yann Sommer did this masterfully against Jorginho a few years ago.

When Liverpool's Harvey Elliott used the GK-dependent technique against Henderson, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper did like Allison: remained stationary on the line until the last moment, forcing Elliott to make a decision & shoot without a proper run-up. Save.

However, well-prepared goalkeepers know which penalty takers use this strategy, and counter it by NOT committing early. They just WAIT - forcing penalty takers to have to pick a side and execute a sub-optimal shot without pace or accuracy. Allison stood still, waiting. Save.

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As a penalty taker, how do you counter such a goalkeeper? One way is to use the GK-dependent technique, where you observe the GK's first move, then simply roll the ball opposite. A few players did that today, here Eze.

However, if the shot is well placed and hard enough (like today), it doesn't help to know and go early. Goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, who played with Szoboszlai in Leipzig, told me: "Even if you know where he shoots, it is incredibly difficult to stop. His foot is just outstanding."

This type of goalkeeper strategy - "prepare and predict direction, then commit early" works well when GK-independent penalty takers have a CLEAR favourite corner that they rarely change or fall back on under pressure. Dominik Szoboszlai, for example, almost ALWAYS goes left.

Against Harry Kane (one of the best GK-independent penalty takers - before he started alternating techniques last year), Henderson did the same in Aug 2022 - went ridiculously early, to save. He is one of only 4 goalkeepers in the Premier League to have saved a pen from Kane.

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When pen takers use a goalkeeper-independent technique, where they have decided beforehand where to shoot & just rigidly stick to that corner, Henderson commits extremely EARLY to that side (because the taker doesn't look up). He often saves in this way, as w Mac Allister today.

Fascinating to see how good goalkeepers are on penalties now. Dean Henderson has been one of the best for a while (only 62% penalty goals against). He obviously has mapped opponent penalty takers - but not just WHERE they shoot. Also the TECHNIQUE they use. I'll explain here:

For more psychology lessons from penalty shootouts, pick up my book: https://t.co/ZwOsZTiega For more of my thoughts about the 2025 Euro, BBC: https://t.co/new6AOLmBv Telegraph: https://t.co/932GnjxyuG Daily Mail: https://t.co/As7uj4xE75 Times:

The pressure of taking a penalty in the Euro is huge. Actively taking control with preparation, individualised pre-shot protocols, effective communication, and systems for social support will never guarantee a positive result, but it WILL increase the probability of winning. 14/

A more recent Southgate strategy is the "Buddy system" where an assigned buddy would pick up each penalty taker after the shot. Against Sweden, Esme Morgan & Michelle Agyemang actively & quickly met their teammates in support after missed shots. Show humanity under pressure! 13/

An original Southgate innovation from 2018 is having the goalkeeper hand the ball off to the next penalty taker from one’s own team. This gives your penalty taker a friendly start and prevents the opponent goalkeeper from throwing the ball away. Almost everyone does this now. 12/

Because of the brief meeting, England entered the mid-circle first. They positioned closest to the bench – for easier communication with coaches – and towards the goal – for shorter walk to the penalty spot. Important? Hardly. But nothing left to chance. Breeds confidence. 11/

Sarina Wiegman’s pre-shootout huddle replicated Southgate 2024, by only gathering 11 eligible players and key staff. Compared to Sweden, England's meeting took almost half the time. This indicates sufficient advance preparation. Brief & direct is key under pressure. 10/

Hannah Hampton, England's goalkeeper, moved in the correct direction for 5 of 7 penalties, and contributed to Sweden missing 5 shots. Advance knowledge of opponents is key. Research suggests, a skewed position on the goal line influences the shooter. Eriksson hit the post. 9/

Falk, Sweden’s goalkeeper, had a list of English penalty taker preferences. She went extremely early to the predicted side & saved 4. No English penalty takers used the goalkeeper-dependent penalty technique to adjust and change side. Flexibility is an asset under pressure. 8/

In contrast, players with short post-whistle pauses miss more penalties. Possibly because they focus on getting the shot over with. The 4 English players who missed took 1 sec or less; Lauren James about half a second. Don’t let emotions dictate your actions under pressure! 7/