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Performing best when it matters the most: evidence from professional handball

Author

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  • Bühren Christoph

    (Department of Economics, University of Kassel, 34127 Kassel, Germany)

  • Gabriel Marvin

    (Department of Economics, University of Kassel, 34127 Kassel, Germany)

Abstract

We analyze the impact of psychological pressure on performance with over 5500 handball penalties thrown in either the decisive stage or the rest of the game during matches of the 2019/2020 season in the first three German handball leagues. Contrary to the choking under pressure phenomenon, most of the analyzed players perform best when it matters the most. The positive effect of pressure on performance is highest when the score is even or when the thrower’s team is trailing. We control for gender and psychological traits assessed with a survey. In our sample, female players score with a higher probability than male players. The positive impact of pressure is not significantly higher for female players.

Suggested Citation

  • Bühren Christoph & Gabriel Marvin, 2023. "Performing best when it matters the most: evidence from professional handball," Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, De Gruyter, vol. 19(3), pages 185-203, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:jqsprt:v:19:y:2023:i:3:p:185-203:n:1
    DOI: 10.1515/jqas-2022-0070
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    choking under pressure; performance; psychological traits; sports data; survey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • Z20 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - General

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