Geir Jordet

Geir Jordet is Professor in psychology and sport at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and the world's leading expert on performing under pressure in elite sport. Recognised by The Times for his pioneering research on cognitive and psychological aspects of football, he has spent 25 years consulting with over 60 professional teams and 130 elite players, recently expanding his work to NBA and NHL teams and serving as performance psychologist for Team Europe's historic 2025 Ryder Cup victory. Author of "Pressure: Lessons from the psychology of the penalty shootout", Geir translates insights from extreme sporting environments into practical strategies that help business leaders and teams master high-stakes decision-making, manage hostile conditions, and deliver their best when it matters most.

When world-class footballers step up to take a penalty in a shootout, their success or failure is shaped by years of research conducted by Geir Jordet. A Professor in psychology and sport at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, he has spent over two decades studying the cognitive and psychological forces that determine whether elite athletes thrive or crumble when the stakes are highest. His 2024 book, "Pressure: Lessons from the psychology of the penalty shootout", distils this work into a compelling exploration of how world-class players manage extreme pressure, revealing that a penalty kick is never just an individual moment but the culmination of collective preparation, teamwork, and psychological strategy. Recognised by The Times as the world's leading expert on cognitive and psychological aspects of elite football, Geir has built a body of research that extends far beyond the penalty spot, examining visual perception, decision-making, body language, and on-pitch communication in ways that have reshaped how professional teams understand performance under pressure.

Geir's credibility rests on both rigorous academic research and deep applied experience. His studies on how elite players perceive, process, and respond to high-pressure situations have been published in leading sport science and psychology journals and featured in major global media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Guardian, and BBC. Over 25 years, he has worked directly with more than 60 professional football teams and national associations, including six Champions League-level clubs and seven international teams preparing for World Cups, European Championships, and the Olympics. He has also served as a personal psychology consultant to over 130 elite players competing in Europe's top leagues. Recently, Geir has expanded his work beyond football, consulting with NBA and NHL teams, and served as performance psychologist for Team Europe during their historic 2025 Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black, where his insights on managing hostile environments and opponent pressure proved instrumental. Alongside researcher Yaw Ihle Amankwah, he has pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to observe, interpret, and quantify psychological behaviour on the pitch, partnering with top European clubs to deliver tailored performance data that transforms how teams assess and develop their players.

Geir translates his research from extreme sporting environments into practical strategies that resonate across business and corporate settings. Having delivered over 100 presentations to major organisations, he helps leaders and teams master high-stakes decision-making, perform under scrutiny, and maintain composure in volatile conditions. Audiences gain evidence-based tools for understanding pressure, recognising the psychological signals that predict success or failure, and building the collective behaviours that underpin peak performance. His work demonstrates that whether facing a penalty shootout, a hostile crowd, or a critical boardroom moment, the principles of preparation, perception, and psychological control remain universal. Geir equips organisations with the insight to perform when it matters most, creating lasting impact that extends well beyond the event itself.