How to execute a Penalty

In order to execute a penalty to the fullest a player must be physically and mentally prepared as it is not an easy task. Many times a penalty can have a huge impact on the match whether its a game winner or just to equalize the score. The Penalty kick is awarded when the player who has possession of the ball and gets fouled inside the 18 yard box. Also if the math is leveled after 120 the match will be solved with a penalty kick shootout. Normally a team has a designated kicker meaning in the training ground and team he is the one that has the best placement and is secure when it comes to executing a penalty.

In the book that I am currently reading titled "Soccer for Dummies" by Thomas Dunmore it states the following "Choose the spot where you want to aim the ball before approaching the ball.

Avoid looking at the keeper. If it's easier, pretend the keeper is not present.

Focus on the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times and remain focused once focus is lost, you risk losing your composure"(Dunmore56). This basically explains how a player must be fully focused when about to execute the penalty because one little mistake in the run up or kick can mess the whole thing up. It is important for the kick takers to have perfect accuracy and power because the modern day goalkeeper likes to dive before and try to guess where the kicker will kick the ball.  

Applying these things together will make you successfully execute a penalty kick.

Why is it important to be able to take a perfect penalty kick.

Defending the soccer goal

If you ask anyone on a soccer team if they want to play goalkeeper the most common answer you will get is NO! This position may be the most unpopular but it is the most vital position on the pitch. As a goalkeeper you have to have really good agility, reflexes, handling, and positioning sine you are the last resource that can stop the ball and avoid being scored on. This is a very difficult position because if you make a single mistake it can cost you the win, that's why it's important for the modern day goalkeeper to be up to date and be practicing all the time. The strikers are getting better and the goalkeeper always has to be on top of their game to block anything that goes towards goal.

   In the book that I am reading titled "Soccer for Dummies" by Thomas Dunmore it teaches you all the techniques you need to know from the basics of learning how to properly catch the ball to the more expert level of blocking one on one shots. In the text "The full extension dive: Used when a shot is heading toward one of the corners of the net, the keeper has to extend himself to the fullest, making his first stride as long as possible with arms extended and away from the face to see the ball as clearly as possible"(Dunmore 34). This quote from the book really emphasizes the amount of athleticism an individual needs to have in order to be a goalkeeper. Just blocking the ball from your body isn't enough you have to be willing to plunge and make the save, after all the goal is 8 yards apart, That's 8 yards that you need to be defending. Letting a goal in can be crucial, it can be the difference from winning or loosing an important match  

The full extension dive is one of the main skills a goalkeeper has to know how to do well, most of the shots will be taken from fairly long distances and will be aimed at impossible to reach places of the goal. That's why it is important to master your diving techniques, knowing the proper techniques like standing on your toes and extending your arm out all the way can really have an impact when it comes to match day. That's why it is important to always keep practicing and never giving up, if you learn from your mistakes during practice you will surely have a great performance when it comes to the big day.

Question: Have you ever seen a goalkeeper in action? And if you have, what impressed you?