The Perfect Penalty
Introduction
Welcome to my 1st Guide!
This guide is revolved around the world’s greatest game, Football. (Or Known as Soccer in Australia and the USA.)
However, we will be looking at the aspect of penalties!
Contents
I: Introduction
II: Contents
III: What is Football?
IV: What is a Penalty?
V: What you will need
VI: Effectively Saving A Penalty
Part 1: Before the Penalty
Part 2: While the Penalty is in process
VII: Effectively taking A Penalty
Part 1: Before the Penalty
Part 2: While the penalty is in process
VIII: Hints, Tips and Tricks
IX: Images/Videos
X: Acknowledgements
II: Contents
III: What is Football?
IV: What is a Penalty?
V: What you will need
VI: Effectively Saving A Penalty
Part 1: Before the Penalty
Part 2: While the Penalty is in process
VII: Effectively taking A Penalty
Part 1: Before the Penalty
Part 2: While the penalty is in process
VIII: Hints, Tips and Tricks
IX: Images/Videos
X: Acknowledgements
What is Football?
Football truly is the world game. It has been the Number 1 sport around the world for years. It has also adapted the name of "Soccer" (I call it it's original name, Football!)
This game (Like many others) is very dependant on a ball. The basic aim of the game is too kick a Medium sized ball (See image below) into two goals. This is one of the large reasons it is played around the world. Basically all you need is something soft and round, and a couple of cans for goals.
However, don't get the idea that Football is a boring, simple sport, because that is the opposite. Football involves Strength, agility, reflexes, ball skills, speed, and passion.
The game is usually played with each team having 11 players on the field. 1 goalkeeper and 10 other players. There are also reserves/substitutes on the sideline. The two teams play for 90 Minutes in two 45-minute halves.
As well as the players, there are the Referees, coaches, managers, sideline referees and the most important, the ecstatic fans.
What is a Penalty?
Penalties are seen as a dramatic part of a football match. Penalties occur when a foul or handball occurs in the penalty box.
A penalty involves A "1 on 1" encounter between a Kicker and goalkeeper.
The ball is placed on the penalty Spot (See Image Below) the goalkeeper on the goal line, and the kicker inside the penalty box.
The kicker comes in too take his kick. Nobody other then the Goalkeeper, kicker and Referee are allowed inside the penalty box until the ball has been kicked. The Keeper must also stay on the Goal Line till the ball has been kicked.
What you will need
The below equipment is RECOMMENDED. You do not NEED these, however they greatly increase your kicking power, comfort, etc.
4. (Goalkeeper only) Goalkeeper Gloves. I personally Reccomend ones with the tough Skeleton Back.
Effectively saving A Penalty
Part 1: Before the penalty
What is a MUST step is too place yourself on the Goal Line. At least part of your feet need too be touching the white line. This is the only necessary step, however, many goalkeepers attempt too distract the kicker. Doing things such as:
- Doing Star jumps around on the Goal line,
- Sliding your feet too the left and right,
- Waving your arms around,
- Or, keeping dead still and "Death Staring" the kicker.
These "Tricks" are often used in an attempt too distract or put pressure on the kicker. While the keeper may look silly and stupid, these tactics often work.
Part 2: While the Penalty is in process
This is a difficult moment for goalkeepers. They have too protect a decently large goal from a kicker who is quite close. Also, the kicker can kick the ball very hard.
What does this cause most goalkeepers too do? Guess!
Guessing is exactly what you'd think it means. The goalkeeper has no chance in diving too stop the ball after the kicker has taken his kick, so they need too guess which way the ball is going too go before the ball is kicked.
However, if you dive the wrong way, your going too end up feeling pretty embarrassed. The best way too counteract this is by watching the opponents eyes and feet.
[YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7q_cA81_U18&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7q_cA81_U18&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
(Keeper guessing incorrectly. Penalty by Zinedine Zidane)
(Keeper guessing incorrectly. Penalty by Zinedine Zidane)
When the kicker runs in, they're eyes feel it needs too look at the spot the ball is going too go. However, you can't depend on this completely. The kicker can attempt too look the other way, though this decreases there kicking accuracy.
The keeper must also watch out for the kicker trying to feint. The kicker will pretend to kick the ball, hoping the Keeper will dive before he/she shoots. Try too stand your ground with these feints; it will end up with the kicker only being able to do a soft shot.
Effectively taking A Penalty
Part 1: Before the penalty
Being the Penalty Kicker is often seen as a very stressful thing. The reason is everyone expects you too convert it easily.
The first thing you must do before kicking is not show any worries or pressure on your face. This can increase the Keepers confidence dramatically.
Secondly, either you or the referee will place the ball on the spot.
A very important thing to do is NOT take a huge run up. Doing this can cause you to be going too fast when you make contact with the ball. This can make the ball rocket off in the wrong direction, OR you could slip.
Part 2: While the Penalty is in process
Start your run up, the first thing you should be doing is LOOKING AT THE BALL. It is ESSENTIAL too kick it in the correct spot.
Now, there are two ways you can do this, you can either blast the ball, or you can feint a few times and hope the Keeper attempts too guess and dives before you kick the ball.
I personally prefer a mixture of the two. I don't blast the ball, I take a medium run in, and before I kick the ball have a quick glance at the keeper. If the keeper has begun to dive, kick the ball in the opposite direction.
Where should you aim the ball some might ask?
Any of the corners is seen too be the best spot, however it is risky as it is close too the post, and you don't want too miss.
My personal belief is low and too the left of the keeper. (Right if you know the keeper is left-handed.) Kick it fast, and just above the ground.
[YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/N9VrnOKVq3c&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/N9VrnOKVq3c&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
(Kicking the ball into the corner. Penalty by Zinedine Zidane)
(Kicking the ball into the corner. Penalty by Zinedine Zidane)
Hints, Tips and Tricks
* Remember, as the goalkeeper ALWAYS watch the eyes
* NEVER take a large run-up
* If your not comfortable enough too take the penalty, get someone else too take it (Maybe not so in penalty shootouts)
* Attempt too block out EVERYTHING in your mind
* Try too kick the ball as close too the side as possible without kicking the ball out.
Videos
[YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J6LqnUlYgmw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J6LqnUlYgmw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qlvHjfrBS1Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qlvHjfrBS1Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_Gi98iEziKQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_Gi98iEziKQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]
Acknowledgements
Firstly, I'd like to thank my coach, and Goalkeeper coach, who taught me most of this as I grew up.
Secondly, My family, and friends who support my Football career.
Thirdly, the people who posted these images on Google for me
Fourthly, the Ajax Amsterdam football team, Zinedine Zidane and Francesco Totti for the great penalty videos.
Fifth, Youtube, Google, and I guess I can chuck in Imageshack.
And last of all, YOU for reading my guide
(Note: NONE of these Images are mine. I did not film, or participate in any way, shape or form in these Images and Videos. I am using them for me guide (Which is mine) and too help you understand it.)

































