Choking under pressure in women’s soccer

Abstract

This study examines the effects of choking under pressure on the technical performance of collegiate female soccer players in high-pressure competitive situations. An observational design was employed to evaluate 16 players under conditions with and without induced pressure, focusing on three key skills: passing, control, and dribbling. High-pressure conditions were created through video recording and the presence of influential observers affecting potential selection for higher-level teams, generating an atmosphere of heightened expectation. Results showed a significant decrease in performance under pressure across all technical variables, with large effect sizes in each skill (passing: Δ = 1.22, control: Δ = 1.18, and dribbling: Δ = 1.05), highlighting the impact of induced anxiety on the players’ execution. This study underscores the importance of developing specific psychological and technical interventions to help athletes manage pressure, thus optimising performance in critical moments of the game. The findings contribute to the existing literature on sports psychology in female contexts and may assist coaches and psychologists in formulating strategies to reduce choking under pressure in women’s soccer.