Color of soccer goalkeepers' uniforms influences the outcome of penalty kicks

Percept Mot Skills. 2013 Aug;117(1):1043-52. doi: 10.2466/30.24.pms.117x14z6.

Abstract

This study examined the proposition that competing against red-clad opponents hinders the performance of soccer (football) athletes. 40 experienced players took 10 penalty kicks against a goalkeeper wearing a black jersey and, 1 week later, took 10 penalty kicks against a goalkeeper wearing either a red, green, blue, or yellow jersey. Prior to each set of kicks, participants reported their expectancy of success. Players facing red-clad goalkeepers scored on fewer penalty kicks than those facing either blue- or green-clad goalkeepers, but no differences in expectancy of success emerged. The findings indicate that athletes wearing red may have an advantage over their opponents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Arousal
  • Athletic Performance / psychology*
  • Attention*
  • Clothing*
  • Color Perception*
  • Humans
  • Judgment
  • Male
  • Soccer / psychology*
  • Young Adult