England starsEngland have been instructed not to disclose the secrets behind their penalty shoot-out successes. The Three Lions triumphed over Switzerland in a penalty shoot-out on Saturday night, securing their spot in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Since Gareth Southgate assumed the role of manager in 2016, England has emerged victorious from three out of four major tournament shoot-outs. However, Southgate is adamant about keeping England’s preparation methods and techniques confidential.
The FA expressed displeasure when former penalty expert Chris Markham disclosed in a book how he had transformed England’s approach to penalties during his tenure in Southgate’s coaching team. Markham served as the FA’s ‘Game Insights’ leader for four years.
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After England defeated Colombia in a penalty shoot-out during the 2018 World Cup, Southgate was quick to text Markham, thanking him for his contribution. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford dedicates hours to analysing the penalty techniques of opponents before matches – his next assignment being Holland.
England’s No. 1 even jots down notes on the water bottle he leaves behind his goal.
However, Southgate has instructed his players to refrain from discussing England’s penalty strategy. Since Dan Ashworth’s tenure as the FA’s director of elite development, there has been a comprehensive study into winning shoot-outs.
The strategy involved the walk from the halfway line, time taken for each penalty and breathing techniques before and after kicking the ball.
In a first for a major tournament, England successfully converted all five penalties against Switzerland.
(Express)
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