Dr Nick Smeeton, Principal Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, said: “It’s harder for penalty takers these days because international goalkeepers are trained to such a high level and practise penalty saves so much – and they have analysts calculating takers’ favourite targets and trainers teaching them to watch the takers’ body language to read where the ball is going.
“Penalty takers need to re-gain their edge – and we believe the best way to fool keepers is with fake moves and tricks.”
Some sport scientists suggest penalty takers who wear red shirts stand a better chance of scoring while others recommend they stare at keepers after placing the ball to ‘psych’ them out.
Dr Smeeton said: “Some insist that aiming high will give shooters the best chance but our research suggests they should play the fool.
“Most people remember the Pirlo chip for Italy against England in Euro 2012, and some will recall Italy’s Balotelli pausing just before his kick or his countryman Nocerino’s feint to England’s Joe Hart’s left before shooting the other way.
“It is these little moves that I believe are essential if kickers want to maximise their chances of scoring. Outstanding players like Bolatelli know and exploit this. I predict that any trained professional using this strategy will score and you will see far more penalties scored in the World Cup using this strategy than one based on power or placement.”