Gareth Southgate has issued an 'unprecedented' ban to every member of the England squad at Euro 2024 – and it appears to have worked a treat.
The Three Lions secured their place in the semi-final of this summer's tournament after they beat Switzerland in a tense penalty shoot-out in Düsseldorf.
Jordan Pickford, who has been so reliable for his country over the years, gave England an early advantage when he dived to his left to save Manuel Akanji's weak effort.
Cole Palmer slotted his penalty away with ease before Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney and Trent Alexander-Arnold converted from 12 yards to seal a historic win.
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This wasn't luck, however. Gareth Southgate has gone the extra mile to improve England's previously torrid record from the spot, using several strategies to build confidence.
He has not only used analysts and a psychologist but has issued a complete ban on speaking about shoot-outs in an attempt to 'stop it from becoming too much of an obsession'.
That's according to a report from The Mirror, who claim Jordan Pickford, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa have all been stopped from answering questions on penalties during this summer's tournament in Germany.
It is also stated that Southate made a remark about an England staff member talking about penalty techniques.
Chris Markham, who worked as Game Insights Lead at the FA for four years, has helped change England’s attitude towards penalties.
In the book 'Pressure: Lessons From The Psychology of the Penalty Shootout by Norwegian sports professor Geir Jordet', Markham opened up on his involvement ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
“I think I found quotes from each of the last five England managers before Gareth Southgate, not including Sam Allardyce, that said either the penalty shoot-out was a lottery, penalties are all down to luck, or that you can’t practice that kind of pressure," he said.
“From a psychological perspective, speaking about a lottery takes ownership away from the players. And that was the thing for me to give them back.
“To take control of not just the kick itself but the whole process. Initially it was about the perceived control. How can we increase the level of perceived control for the players and the staff and everybody?"
Markham added: “Luckily for us, Gareth and his staff were extremely open-minded and respectful of good quality work. But they don’t suffer fools gladly so we knew it had to be at a really high standard.
“Talking about run-up steps, angle, pace, you know everything from breathing techniques, optimal areas of aiming, goalkeepers, looking as gaze masks and goggles.”
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Switzerland
Jack Kenmare