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.

F2 World Of Football: How To Play Soccer Like a Pro -Free-styling

How To Freestyle(basic)   

By: F2 Freestylers

Soccer is an amazing sport, it has an astonishing number of fans at 3.5 billion (approximate). Soccer is known for its fast pace of play and all the running in between the field, although soccer is a very mental sport as well. Soccer is a hard sport, which consumes a lot of time and patience in developing your skills individually. An efficient way in developing good skills on the field is juggling."Juggling is a basic skill which in many ways, is considered the base around developing your touch and technique in soccer"(3). 


First step:
Always stretch (warm up) your body before starting to play soccer. "An important factor when it comes to playing soccer is your warm-up"(4). Stretch out your calves, thighs even your upper body as well for at least a solid five minutes, even some jogging back and forth in between. This decreases your chances of self inflicted injuries and improves your overall performance (4). 

Second Step:
Now you're ready to begin, lay the ball out about a foot ahead of you giving some space for you to pull the ball towards you. This "pull back" should be done with one foot typically your stronger foot. Body positioning should be relaxed but balanced and straight, being relaxed is very important in this lesson and for all future lessons because it helps with focus as this is not an easy skill for beginners.

Third Step: 
As you pull the ball back slowly to your body, flick the ball up with the same foot you pulled it with. The flick should not bring the ball to high or to low, the ball should end up between your ankle and knee (height wise) (5). The ball should be fairly straight and close to your body, establishing a control and balance over the ball. This is where the patience plays in as the ball would tend to go away from your body and not in your control. 

Fourth Step:
Great so you are almost there, now tap the ball up as it comes down this is done repeatedly and at a steady pace (6).  The tap should occur no lower then your shin area and bounce up to your knee height. Keeping a steady balance on your other foot is key, as it helps in keeping good body positioning and even your control over the ball as it helps keep a steady foot to tap the ball with... 

Now you have the essentials to start juggling, the key of free styling, remember skill doesn't come free but with hard work and dedication, keep trying again and again and the results will come!

Do you think juggling is the most effective way to develop free-styling skill/technique in soccer?
Freestylers, F2. F2 World of Football: How to Play like a Pro. London: Blink, 2016. Print.