How to Take a Penalty Kick in Soccer
When someone from the other team commits a direct free kick foul within the penalty box, the referee will award you a penalty kick. It’s an excellent chance for your team to score, since you only have to beat one player: the goalkeeper. Taking a penalty kick can be tough though, so here are some tips how to do it.
What You’ll Need:
Penalty kick taker
Soccer ball
Goalkeeper
Game strategy
Confidence
Procedure:
Position the soccer ball. It should be 12 yards away from the goal line, at the center of the penalty box. Make sure it isn’t rolling, and is firmly placed on the ground.
The goalkeeper must be positioned too, standing on the goal line. He cannot move forward until you touch the ball, and can only move from one side to another.
Make sure the other players aren’t lingering or standing in the penalty box. They cannot enter until you’ve touched the ball.
Relax. Don’t let the crowd or the goalkeeper intimidate you. Shut out everything you hear and see around you. It should just be you, the goalie, and the ball.
Be firm on the kind of penalty shot you’re going to take. The tactic you choose can depend on your expertise and level of comfort, based on your practices. You can try a driven shot, push shot, chip shot. The cup shot is also common, a combination of the driven and push shots. Whatever type of shot you have in mind, never let it show. Don’t do any unnecessary movements.
Take three steps backwards, angling away from the soccer ball. If you approach it from the side, you’ll have better control over the power and the direction it goes. When you’re ready to take the shot, the referee will blow the whistle.
Try to camouflage your shot decision, until the last possible moment, executing the shot with fluid and lithe movements. As you move towards the ball, make your initial moves create an impression that you’re shooting in a direction that you’re not really planning to shoot. The goalkeeper will be predicting your move, and will laterally go across the goal line, diving in that direction.
Be fixated on the soccer ball. When you kick it, hit it with the laces, or with the side of the foot, depending on your chosen shot.
Aim your penalty kick at the farthest possible corner, so the goalie will have a harder time reaching it. Make sure you have precise control though, so the ball won’t sail over the goal or hit the bars.
Tricking The Goalie
Never make eye contact with the goalkeeper. Until you start making your kick, don’t look anywhere else but the ball.
To keep the goalie guessing, keep your hips open. You can go up or down, or left or right, without giving away your shot.
After taking your first step as you approach the ball, hesitate, then move forward. The goalie’s timing will be thrown off, allowing you a better scoring opportunity.
During this hesitation shot, if the goalie flat out dives or leans, shoot the ball to the goal’s opposite side.
Don’t let your chance to beat the other team slip away. Just follow these tips when you’re taking a penalty kick, and you’ll fool the goalie and score for the win!