Objectives: This study examined elite handball players’ penalty shooting choices based on their chronic regulatory focus profiles in two distinct (low vs high) perceived pressure penalty-taking scenarios. It was hypothesized that players profiled as promotion-focused would prefer riskier options, whereas those profiled as prevention-focused would prefer safer options (Debanne et al., 2014). Furthermore, participants’ motivational profiles related to their perceived playing styles (offensive vs defensive) were explored. It was hypothesized that “offensive” players would possess rather promotion-focus profiles, whereas “defensive” players would possess rather prevention-focus profiles (Plessner et al., 2009).

Methods: Elite handball players completed an online survey covering demographics, handball playing and shooting styles, and penalty ball placing options (safer vs riskier). Players were asked to provide ball placing options for two distinct (high vs low) pressure–related penalty-taking scenarios and each time rate its perceived pressure, perceived task difficulty, and related emotional states (PANAS; Thompson, 2007). Lastly, participants completed the Regulatory Focus Questionnaire (Semin et al., 2005).

Results: Significant differences emerged in penalty-taking ball-placing between high- and low-pressure situations amongst promotion players; they made riskier choices under high pressure. No such differences were observed amongst prevention players. Furthermore, promotion profiles were more common amongst players who considered themselves rather “offensive players”, whereas the opposite was not found; prevention players also considered themselves as “offensive players”.

Conclusion: Knowing one’s self-regulatory focus profile and understanding associated regulatory strategies may help players and coaches to better prepare how to best perform when under pressure in different handball situations. Coaching players to develop self-regulatory focus strategies that fit to given situations may result in better performances; however, this needs experimental testing. One must recognize the specificity of different sporting disciplines; in this study, players perceived themselves as “offensive” regardless of whether they played in “defending” or “attacking” positions.