Twelve Yards: The Art and Psychology of the Perfect Penalty Kick

An all-encompassing look at the penalty kick, soccer's all-or-nothing play--its legendary moments and the secrets to its success

No stretch of grass has been the site of more glory or heartbreak in the world of sports than the few dozen paces between goalkeeper and penalty kicker in soccer. In theory, it's simple: place the ball beyond a single defender and secure a place in history. But once the chosen players make the lonely march from their respective sides of the pitch, everything changes, all bets are off, and anything can happen. Drawing from the hard-won lessons of legendary games, in-depth statistical analysis, expert opinion, and the firsthand experience of coaches and players from around the world, journalist Ben Lyttleton offers insight into the diverse attitudes, tactics, and techniques that separate success from failure in one of the highest-pressure situations sports has to offer.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 07/28/2015
ISBN: 9780143127307
Pages: 352
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.30w x 0.70d

Review Citations: Library Journal 07/01/2015 pg. 89
Booklist 07/01/2015 pg. 16