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How to take a penalty

Soccer (Individual Skills) / Popular

Placement, run-up and composure from the spot.

What coaches agree on

  • Use a short, controlled run-up - most successful takers land somewhere around three to six steps, not a single-step stab or a long sprint.
  • Place the ball on the spot yourself, setting it carefully on an even piece of turf, rather than leaving it to the referee or goalkeeper.
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  • Rehearse your run-up and chosen target spots repeatedly in training so the decision feels automatic under match pressure.

Common mistakes

  • Hesitating or changing your mind after you've already committed to a spot, letting nerves creep in during the run-up, is what causes weak or skied shots - not poor technique.
  • Trying to blast the ball as hard as possible costs accuracy; the coaches want a controlled strike, around 70 to 75% power, placed toward a corner rather than a maximum-power hit down the middle.
  • Opening your hips or squaring up too early in the run-up telegraphs which side you're going, giving the keeper a head start before you've even struck the ball.