''I felt I was stepping off the edge of the world into silence'' Chris Waddle

A penalty shoot-out is the ultimate stress test. So much hangs on that 90-second ordeal. In this gripping book, psychologist Professor Geir Jordet reveals the elaborate psychological elements of a penalty shootout, and the universal human stress mechanisms that it illuminates. What happens to players'' brains and bodies under severe pressure? Why do some thrive while others choke? How can they turn a seemingly uncontrollable outcome into one that is positive and more predictable?

Drawing on two decades of studying the atomic nuances of performance under pressure, Jordet shares fascinatingly detailed case studies and stories from working with top national teams, as well as the surprising techniques he has devised to enable players to succeed. This is a book for anyone who has been fascinated by a World Cup penalty shoot-out, or simply fallen apart during an important conversation.