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AI Beats Goalkeepers: The Future of Predicting Penalty Kicks in Soccer

July 28, 2025 · 5 min read

Oneareas where AI is creating a buzz is the prediction of penalty kicks. By leveraging machine learning algorithms and extensive video analysis, researchers have developed models that outperform goalkeepers in anticipating which way a penalty taker will shoot. An Overview of AI in Soccer Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to enhance sports analytics, […]

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Culture

Why Soccer Referees Are Leaving—and How We Can Keep Them

Across the United States, referee shortages are putting youth and amateur soccer leagues in jeopardy. Despite the passion and commitment many referees bring to the game, an alarming number are choosing not to renew their licenses. Why is this happening? And more importantly, what can be done to reverse the trend? Recent research into soccer […]

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Culture

Soccer Coaching Preferences and the Path to Gender Equality

You’re a soccer club manager searching for the perfect coach to elevate your team. Credentials? Check. Experience? Top-notch. But one factor seems to overshadow all others—gender. Does it really matter whether your new coach is male or female? For many in the soccer world, it still does. A recent study of Division 1 professional soccer […]

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Development

Mastering the Goalkeeper Position: Insights from Two Seasons of Research

Goalkeepers are often the unsung heroes, yet their unique demands and contributions to the game are frequently overlooked. Recent research analyzing two seasons of data from youth goalkeepers in Spain’s top-tier soccer league sheds light on the physical and technical challenges they face. Goalkeepers: A Unique Role in Soccer Unlike outfield players, goalkeepers (GKs) operate […]

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Strategy

Sprinting and Soccer Success

What separates a winning soccer team from the rest? While tactics, talent, and teamwork are critical, new research highlights another game-changer: how players move on the field. Beyond goals and passes, the speed, distance, and accelerations players achieve can significantly influence their team’s success. If you’re a coach looking to refine your training methods, a […]

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Health

Getting Off the Couch.

Applications Imagine a group of middle-aged soccer fans, united not on the field but in their journey to better health. These fans, once united by their love for the game, found themselves tackling an entirely different challenge—improving their lifestyle. Through a groundbreaking program called EuroFIT, they learned to transform small steps into major victories, using […]

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Strategy

Mastering Penalty Kicks: Insights to Boost Your Game

Penalty kicks can define a match—just ask any player who’s had to face the pressure of that 12-yard shot. With nearly 78% of penalty kicks finding the net in professional leagues, they might seem like a guaranteed goal, but the science says otherwise. Recent research (will download a .pdf) examining over 7,000 penalty kicks across […]

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Development

How Small-Sided Games Can Transform Your Team’s Tactics

Soccer is often called “the beautiful game” for its elegance, fluidity, and moments of sheer brilliance. But what if the secret to unlocking these magical moments lies not in flashy footwork but in small-sided games? New research shows how these scaled-down games—commonly used in youth soccer—can foster creativity that disrupts defenses and opens opportunities for […]

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Culture

The Equal Pay Goal: Lessons from Women’s Soccer Battles

For decades, women’s soccer has inspired fans with electrifying matches and fearless athletes. Yet behind the scenes, many players have fought a different kind of battle—one for fair pay. In this fight for equality, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) and Australia’s Matildas have stood as symbols of resilience. Each team used its unique […]

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