Does the colour of his jersey matter? Let me explain how it does. Research shows that if you show ice hockey goalkeeps in a goal then 80% are looking at the goalkeeper. This is known because the participants in the Swedish study were asked to wear special glasses that showed up on a screen where the player was looking. 20% however were looking at the four small spaces around the goalkeeper. These players turned out to be the top goalscorers! They were hitting at the puck at the spaces around the keeper. This annoyed one goalkeep so much that he turned up for the next day study wearing a shocking pink top and lo and behold virtually all of the players were now looking at him and subconciously aiming for him. These findings have been applied to Swedish football by Lars-Eric Unestahl and his research team For me the only acceptable colour of top for a Celtic goalkeeper should be fluoro yellow, bright pink or an archery target. I cringe whenever I see a Celtic goalkeepers decked out in grey and black. I know that someone will point out a top keeper renowed for wearing all black but I contend that they would have saved even more if they were wearing distinctive coloured tops. We will never know.
Bruce Grobelaar once faced a penalty shootout and was spaghetti legged and flailing his arms around. He made himself noticeable and it was astonishing how many penalties were fired directly at his chest. Basic psychology.
I was only ever once required to face a penalty after our keeper was sent off for a foul in the penalty box. Admittedly it was Masters level football and I was 50. As the penalty taker went to take the kick I roared "To me, THANK YOU" and the ball went straight into my arms. I made myself noticeable and crucially roared Thank You!
We only say that after the deed has been done or will be done.
Ask yourself how many times you were playing golf and thought I must miss the bunker, the stream or the out of bounds and then put the ball exactly where you did not want it to go. The ball goes where the mind is.
Finally do NOT think about a Pink Elephant covered in Blue Spots, Do Not think about The Eiffel Tower, Do NOT think about the stretchy cheese on a pizza, and do not think about the shape of Australia.
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