Sometimes, a football match can be determined by an event in the game. If you get a chance to score with a penalty kick, it means you have the upper hand now. But sadly, most of the penalty kicks that miss a goal are not the result of brilliant saves from the goalkeeper, but rather the result of a shot that goes wide and misses the target. Don't let you do that. Learn to shoot penalties with great precision and practice the right way so your team can count on you when they need you.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Taking a Penalty Kick
Step 1. Make sure you place the ball yourself
Do not let the referee, goalkeeper or anyone else place the ball. You're the one who's going to kick, so you're the one who should be placing the ball at the penalty spot. Check the grass in front of the ball, make sure there are no mounds of dirt, rocks, or branches that can disturb you, then position the ball in the highest position on the grass.
Ideally, the ball should be placed slightly above the grass so that it will be easier for you to kick it properly. If the spot on the ball looks like it's starting to fade, don't worry too much, kicking the ball above the ground is a shot with a high probability of scoring a goal. When kicking, make sure you think about the height of the ball as well
Step 2. Take a few steps back
Position the ball, take a few steps back, then take a side step toward your non-kicking foot. The distance you have to kick isn't very long, and most players only need one step to get close and another step to support when kicking hard and finally scoring. Usually a greater number of steps is not required, but do what is comfortable for you. Practice a few different approaches and see which one works for you.
Some players think that running long distances will result in a harder kick. It's going to look intimidating, but you really have to slow down as you approach the ball so you don't miss a shot. Taking a long distance to kick a penalty will do nothing but tire you out
Step 3. Win the psychological game
Avoid things like looking at the goalkeeper, listening to your opponent's chatter, or paying attention to what other people are saying. Make the pitch quiet, look at the ball, and think about what to do. Right now, the important thing is to get the ball into the goal. Maybe the goalkeeper will jump up, gesticulate and look confident. This is because the goalkeeper knows that you are going to score. Stay focused and stay calm, and you will be one step closer to scoring goals.
- If you feel confident, look the goalkeeper directly in the eye. Look at him with full confidence that you will definitely score. Intimidate your opponent.
- Statistically, more penalty kicks have been missed than goalkeepers have saved. Your biggest opponent at the penalty spot is not the goalkeeper, but yourself. Remember it.
Step 4. Choose a point as a goal and don't change your mind
Which point is the best for penalty kicks? Anywhere convenient for you. Whichever point you choose, just kick towards that point. The chances of going on from a penalty kick are high, but thinking too much will spoil the concentration of the players in kicking the penalty, they will change their mind at the last second. Don't let this happen. Choose a target point and make sure that it is right.
- Statistics say it's true, more penalty kicks are scored towards the bottom left corner of the goal. The second order is in the upper left corner, and finally in the lower right corner. This is because most players use their right foot more and naturally they kick the ball to the left.
- If you are in doubt, aim the ball low horizontally at the goal. Kicks that are directed at the top corner of the goal are rarely missed by the goalkeeper, but most often are not on target. If your shot is accurate enough, then try to hit the top corner of the goal because a proper shot towards the top corner is very difficult and rarely parried by the goalkeeper; but statistically more likely your kick will miss.
Step 5. Breathe calmly
When you've put the ball down and decided which way you're going to kick, just relax. Gather your confidence. More than 70 percent of those penalty kicks ended in goals. Concentrate on what to do, think about the mechanics of your desired kick, and wait for the referee's whistle. Tell yourself that you are going to score.
- Draw a picture in your mind that the ball from your kick shot past the goalkeeper and into the goal. Imagine yourself kicking the ball hard and precisely, and finally scoring a goal for your team.
- When the referee's whistle sounds, you should start kicking immediately; don't think too long so you don't change your mind and end up making the wrong decision. You don't have to try to scare the goalkeeper anymore. The time is now.
Step 6. Kick the ball with the inside of the foot
Put your non-dominant foot a few inches from the ball and kick it hard with the inside of your dominant (kicking) foot. This will give you the best ball control, it will direct the ball towards your chosen target point, and into the goal. Push all the way into the kick, so the foot will be up and the toe will be pointing toward the ball's goal.
- Some players prefer to kick with the top of the foot for a harder kick; You can do this too. This will reduce the accuracy of the ball's direction, but will increase the power of the kick.
- If you want the ball to be high (not flat), kick directly behind the ball and follow the movement by leaning your weight over the ball so it doesn't go too high. You need to do this if you want to get the ball into the top corner of the goal.
- If you want the ball low (slightly above the ground), use the inside of your foot and kick the ball hard, not wanting to hit the target so much that you slow down. No need to be too precise in the bottom corner of the goal, just enough; The important thing is that the ball goes into the goal.
Step 7. Let your teammates meet the bounce ball (spit ball)
If you fail to kick (e.g., the kick isn't right so the ball just rolls), don't be too hasty in chasing the bouncing ball. Other players, be they teammates or opposing players, have to kick the ball before you. If the goalkeeper manages to parry your kick but the ball is still in play, run as fast as you can and kick the ball into the goal. If your kick hits the crossbar, you have no right to kick the rebound off the bar; must first be touched by another player; if you kick the bouncing ball, you are committing a foul.
Part 2 of 2: Practice Taking Penalty Kicks
Step 1. Develop your choice of kick type
In taking a penalty kick there will always be three types of choices that you can take. Don't make this any more difficult. Practice taking three different types of penalty kicks with different target placements so you have options in the actual match. Perfect all of these types of kicks so that in a match, you can make your choices and can score goals from one of three different points. Practice kicking towards the target points that you feel most comfortable scoring goals, keep practicing your kicks to those points and don't think about other options.
- Most goalkeepers will jump right or left without a certain system (random), this makes it more difficult for the kicker to guess his move. This happens very quickly, you will always be faced with various possibilities. If the goalkeeper already knows and reads your game, it's also a good idea to have a number of options that can be used whenever needed. Keep in mind that more penalty kicks go off the mark than the goalkeeper saves, so it's you who has a bigger role to play in scoring a penalty.
- More saves by goalkeepers occurred in the bottom right corner of the goal. Many goalkeepers think that right-footed players will try to outwit the ball by kicking the ball in an unusual direction. It's better to just relax and not complicate things. Just kick the ball in the direction you feel is most appropriate.
Step 2. Kick a penalty tired
Anyone can get the ball into the net, but what if you've been running on the pitch for half an hour, struggling for the ball, taking corners, etc. Your legs will feel tired, you'll be sweaty and tired, and suddenly all eyes will be on you. Your legs may feel really heavy, but you still have to score goals that will put your team ahead. Practice the right way. Kick the ball (penalty) when you are tired and try to relax and calm yourself down, focusing on your kicking mechanics and movement to help you score goals.
Step 3. Measure your approach and practice different ways of stepping
For some players, a two-step approach is enough to produce the kicking power they need. Others may need more distance, or may want to try to outwit the goalkeeper with a tricky approach. This approach is not prohibited and can be done. Practice your shooting approach from several different distances and see which approach works best for you.
Some players prefer to take longer distances in order to perform stutter steps, small, fast steps taken before finally kicking the ball. This can outwit the goalkeeper, he can jump too early, this means you can kick the ball straight into the goal without any hindrance
Step 4. Practice distraction
It's easy to kick the ball into an empty net. Practice with a goalkeeper who talks harshly. Practice while your sibling laughs at you from behind and says your kick is bound to miss. Practice when music is playing loudly, insects are flying, and it's raining. Practice in the worst situations and conditions, and finally you will be ready to face the situation in the real match.
Step 5. Practice with your eyes closed
Now is the time to calm down and concentrate on taking the penalty kick. If you want to really take your penalty kick skills to a higher level, practice with your eyes closed. The distance between the penalty spot and the goal will always be the same. This means that your approach, kick mechanics and kick placement should naturally be done the same way. You should be able to do it with your eyes closed. There's no harm in you trying right?
Tips
- Choose between kicking with the inside of the foot or the top of the foot – don't alternate between the two.
- Remember to relax, take deep breaths. Think of ways to help calm your heart and mind, for example: imagining that the goalkeeper is wearing big pants and has a brick over his head – he's under a lot of pressure!
- Practice makes perfect – good luck.
- You don't have to crush the ball (kick too hard) – Practice kicking slowly until you're comfortable kicking the ball, then kick harder.
- Practice always kicking at the same point over and over again.
