1. A Quantitative Analysis of Penalty Kicks in the English Premier League
Joshua Gilmore-Jones, Allistair P. McRobert, & Paul R. Ford
Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University
Introduction
(a)
Penalty kicks during a soccer match provide the attacking team with a goal scoring opportunity
Objective data on in-season penalty kicks, success rates and the influence of other key factors is scarce
Success rate was 73% from 129 penalty kicks taken during shoot-outs in World Cup and Champions League finals (Hughes & Wells, 2002)
The aim of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of penalty kicks across five seasons of the English Premier League (PL)
(b)
Method
Every penalty kick between the start of and end of PL seasons was analysed using data on skysports.com
Data was collated for penalty kick frequency, success rate, unsuccessful outcomes, and season, match or team characteristics
There were 38 matches per season across 20 teams, making a total of 380 matches per season
1st half
2nd half
(c)
Results
Figure 1. Penalty kicks awarded and success rates across (a) seasons, (b) match duration, and (c) team characteristics.
There were 97 (SD = 11) penalty kicks per season, or one in every four matches
A goal was scored in 79.5% of those penalty kicks, whereas 20.5% were unsuccessful
Goalkeepers saved 16.2% of all penalties, whereas 1.0% hit the goal frame and missed, and 3.3% missed the goal and frame completely
Figures show more penalties were awarded in (a) earlier seasons; (b) later in the match or half; and (c) to teams at home or drawing
Success rate did not differ as a function of season, match duration or team characteristics
Discussion
Penalty kick success rate in-season was greater than during shoot-outs (Hughes & Wells, 2002)
Data on penalty kicks and the influence of key factors can help coaches and players plan tactics
Take home message
Goals were scored in 79.5% of penalty kicks in the English Premier League and were awarded more frequently at home or later in the match
References
Hughes, M. & Wells, J. (2002). Int. J. Perf. An., 2,