Pressure, Geir Jordet
Pressure, Geir Jordet
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

Pressure
Lessons from the psychology of the penalty shootout

Author: Geir Jordet, Arsène Wenger

Narrator: Geir Jordet

Unabridged: 7 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: New River

Published: 05/30/2024


Synopsis

DAILY MAIL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR
FOREWORD BY ARSÈNE WENGER

'The definitive guide on how not to choke on penalties.' The Daily Mail

'One of the world's preeminent minds on one of sport's most pressurised dramas'. The Independent

'I hope that this book will find its way into the hands of anyone, players or managers, who might have to take part in the inevitable penalty shootouts, watched by more than a billion people, that will bring synapse-stunning excitement to this year's European Championships.' Roger Alton, The Times

'A gripping, surprising and deeply humane look at one of the most intense pieces of drama on earth.' James Graham, author of Dear England

Includes exclusive interviews with Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard, Robert Lewandowski and other Premier League players

'I can score penalties in my sleep, so why not that one?' Marcus Rashford, Euros 2021

The penalty shootout is the most intense drama in sport. The anxious wait, the building dread, the lonely, heavy-legged walk towards the penalty spot. One kick while the world holds its breath. Even football's most casual observers cannot escape the nerve-wracking suspense.

What happens to a footballer's brain and body in these heart-pounding moments of pressure? Why do some thrive while others choke?

In this ground-breaking book, sport psychology Professor Geir Jordet dissects each agonising element of the shootout's duel and the universal human stress mechanisms that it triggers and illuminates. Drawing on two decades of studying the atomic nuances of performance under pressure, Jordet's vivid case studies take you behind the scenes of football's most nail-biting moments. He interviews superstars and shares stories from his work with top teams and some of the world's best players.

In the penalty shootout, as in life, it is often the tiny, seemingly invisible decisions that impact success and failure. After reading this book, you will have fresh insights and a newly acquired understanding of those dreaded moments when the pressure builds - how to handle them.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Anna on October 01, 2025

I saw someone mention this on a TV programme and thought it sounded interesting. How could the lessons learnt from penalties transfer to every day life? Well in truth, this book is probably 95% chat about penalties that have happened (this guys really loves penalties) and 5% how it can apply outside......more

Goodreads review by Harry on December 21, 2025

Very very interesting book. Fascinating insight into penalties and the pressure players are under. However, common conception is that penalties can’t be practiced or prepared for. This is wrong. There is so much, communication, team work, pre-shot routines and more that can be done to prepare. Manag......more

Goodreads review by Dieu Anh on April 08, 2026

I know next to nothing about football and was kind of suspicious of the self-help-sounding title. But Professor Jordet sure surprised me with his engaging writing style, usage of lively real-life examples that football fans will probably enjoy more than I do, and arguments filled with needed nuance.......more

Goodreads review by Milos on October 01, 2025

Interesting disection of what goes in minds of players during penalty kicks in football (soccer). Author also reveals various tactics used by players to cope with this and finally provides a lot of data-backed up conclusions. Interesting read in general and a bit different from your typical book out......more

Goodreads review by Justin on January 04, 2025

Jordet is one of the foremost authorities on penalty shootouts, and it comes through in the book. I was expecting more of it to be transferable to other areas (and some of it is), but even so, it's a compelling read, useful for coaches, players, and fans. Some of the narrative examples are a little......more