The Relationships of Agility and Self-Confidence with Penalty Kick Performance in U-14 Soccer Players

Abstract

We aimed to analyze the relationship between agility and self-confidence on penalty kick performance among U-14 football players at HW Ngadirejo Soccer School. We employed a quantitative correlational approach involving 30 players selected through total sampling. Data collection used three instruments: the Illinois Agility Test for agility, a self-confidence questionnaire based on a Likert scale, and a penalty kick test of five attempts with scoring based on goal zones. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk normality test, Pearson Product Moment correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between agility and penalty kick performance (r = -0.696; p < 0.001), and a significant positive correlation between self-confidence and penalty kick performance (r = 0.487; p = 0.006). Additionally, agility and self-confidence together demonstrated a significant relationship with penalty kick performance (R = 0.755; R² = 0.570; p < 0.001). These findings suggest that both agility and self-confidence, either partially or simultaneously, contribute meaningfully to penalty kick performance. This study recommends that coaches incorporate agility training and psychological development programs, particularly self-confidence building, into regular training routines to enhance players' penalty kick performance.