Recipe for a successful Penalty Kick (Part 1)
Even though there is so much training, technique, equipment and training research, players still approach penalties without knowing exactly how they should kick the ball. For example, Nani proved in the last Manchester United match that took place at Craven Cottage, that he is all show and no skill when it comes to shooting penalties.
Simply put there are several elementary mistakes that are constantly made by players every year. Here are few:
Running up to the ball
The first thing is the approach towards the ball. This is when the player that is going to take the penalty actually runs towards the ball, some take five to six steps, some take only two and some take none at all.
If a player takes only a few steps towards the ball or does not take any before trying to shoot a spot kick then that is logically harder to achieve. This makes it harder for the player to guide the ball to the far side.
This is exactly why players who normally take a few steps before shooting the ball manage to pull the ball. As across the body so they aim right for left footers and they aim left for right footers.
Still if a player decides to shoot the ball to the furthest side, without taking at least three steps, the shot lacks power and most often the goal is not scored.
Consequently, it is advised that players take at least four to five steps when trying to take a penalty. If this is not done most goal keepers tend to assume where the ball is going to come and are manage to block the shot.
Talking a run up before shooting the ball and aiming at the edge of the goal and successfully shooting the ball with enough force ensures that the keeper would not be able to stop the ball. Even if he does assume where the ball is going to go, the ball picks up enough speed and moves to a certain angle that most goalies are not able to stop.
Don’t curl away but curl towards
Another technique is to use the instep of the football shoe to curl the ball. The way to do this properly is to aim near the goal posts. A natural bend comes with the trajectory of the ball as the ball curls you can control the initial kick to make it curl towards or curl away from the goal keeper.
Nevertheless, if the player aims towards the furthest goal post shooting towards the left for the left footed player and towards the right for the right footed player. The ball bends away from the goal keeper and curls towards the inside of the goal post.
Shoot high and set the goals high
It has become a very old and common cliché to aim for a high goal. Still there is a lot more to it than just a saying. It is a good strategy when done properly and more often than not it results in a goal.
Normally it is essential to shoot the ball low as that decreases the chances of the ball going above the goal post. Still if your aim is spot on, then this gives the player a very big advantage.
Still aiming high does give a big chance to miss the goal boundaries completely but that is a risk that you have to take. This increases the players chances to score a goal exponentially compared to when you shoot the ball towards the sides. If you shoot it high and straight or even to the side then that normally results in a goal.
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