A Statistical Analysis of The Effect of Game Pressure on Kicker Performance

A Statistical Analysis of The Effect of Game Pressure on Kicker Performance | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 28 May 2025 V1 Latest version Share on A Statistical Analysis of The Effect of Game Pressure on Kicker Performance Author : Arnav Pophale 0009-0006-7793-6589 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174846620.08530189/v1 449 views 155 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract This paper investigates game pressure on NFL placekicker performance, examining the relationship of psychological stress with athletic performance in professional football. The purpose is to find tendencies of field goal success rates for high-pressure versus lower-pressure situations using historical NFL data for the two-decade period from 2000 to 2020. Utilizing advanced statistical methods, such as multivariate regression analysis and pressure-weighted performance measures, we explore a suite of factors including kick distance, game situation, and situational factors including score difference, time remaining, playoff implications, and weather. In addition, the analysis incorporates up-to-date metrics designed to measure the pressure that is faced by teams using measures of the historical rivalry context, the presence of prime-time television audiences, and the standing of these various teams in playoff-type situations. Finally, we provide empirical evidence for an apparent decline in accuracy in such high-pressure situations, as evidenced by the field goal success rates, which have a statistically significant decline of 8.5% in game situations where they are deemed "high-pressure". Such a decrease is a clear indication of psychological challenges and situational difficulties reflected in the success of those kicks. The phenomenon is even more striking in attempts made during the last two minutes of closely contested games and throughout playoff games, where the recorded decline in accuracy can be as large as 12% for similar attempts in situations of lower pressure. Such findings provide a practical application for coaches, athletes, and analysts who are looking to improve performance in stressful situations through targeted training, specific preparational techniques, and smarter game-management decisions. The findings provide specific recommendations for pressure simulation in practice settings, mental preparation protocols, and strategic time-out usage that can be used to mitigate the debilitating effects of high-pressure situations on kicking performance. Supplementary Material File (draft 2.pdf) Download 151.85 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 28 May 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords data data analytics football kickers sports Authors Affiliations Arnav Pophale 0009-0006-7793-6589 [email protected] View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 449 views 155 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Arnav Pophale. A Statistical Analysis of The Effect of Game Pressure on Kicker Performance. Authorea . 28 May 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174846620.08530189/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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