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

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.

1. Football Boots/Cleats

2. Shin Pads

3. Soccer Shorts/Shirt

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.

(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.

(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

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

__________________

I've made a guide like this one in the past, but this one is expanded more deeply. I like how you included a little bit of history on the game of soccer and how you included videos and pictures.

I recommend taking a video of yourself and showing and explaining these steps as an addition to your guide. Also the word "a" doesn't need to be capitalized each time. (was bothering me lol)

Overall, a pretty good guide. (Got your PM btw)

__________________

Hahanerd's Official Middlemanning! Click me!

Buying all RS Gold! Click me!

Vouches: 1000+

Great guide, coming from a soccer player. I loved it and was a good read. 10/10

Also goalkeepers not just jump around to look silly they do it to look big, and put alot of pressure on them. Good guide. 9/10.

__________________

The idea was original, props for that. Now to the guide.

I like how you introduced the topic, and the funny gif on the top was awesome. I'm also a fan of the layout. Props for that. Heaps of pictures, that was good too.

Only problem, your grammar was a bit off. It's fine though, that gets better as time progresses.

Thanks for the feedback guys

I've fixed up all the grammar and punctuation errors. I believe this one is finished and good too go.

__________________

Nice guide. Very colorful, organized, and descriptive. No criticisms on my end. Good work.

Couldnt say it better, well i could, and i will. (Jk Marrow)

My 2 cents; This guide was awesome, the way you introduced it with the .gif was great, the layout was good, grammar seems to have been fixed, text was great. Its a really great guide and i love it. 9.5/10.

Pritty good. A good technique for the goalee is to edge to one side a little more than the other and the chances are they will shoot to that side nd you will be ready for it

Very Nice guide Brendan W It covered everything you were trying to explain and you went to a lot of effert, Good Job.

Very good guide, love the videos and tips. 9/10

**"To" not "Too".

I would like to add to this guide, being a goalie and all.
Take a step forward AS SOON AS THE BALL IS KICKED. This will help you close down the angle the shooter has. Second and MOST IMPORTANT, watch the knee of the opponent. If they at a high school or college level, chances are, if their knee opens to the right, the kick is going to the right, and vice versa. NEVER EVER EVER EVER Guess. EVER! NEVER!

When you play agains the top players in the world, it is very difficult to do much else then guess. They can easily fool you.

Thanks for writing that down though.

And thanks for the support others.

__________________

Rofl bro this is addressed to your average high school players.
What pro player will be taking tips from you, just sayin.

Really nice guide tbh. Great layout, information, and details.

Good thing you actually know what you're talking about.



Pro or not pro, it still has power. When a penalty is shot from that distance, it is very hard to try to see where it's going after the kicker has taken his shot. There just isn't enough time.

Thanks for your feedback Do you play Football?

__________________

Bump.

I like the guide a lot.
When you said "Try too kick the ball as close too the side as possible without kicking the ball out." I aim a couple inches off the post and put a bit of a curve on it, haha.

Also the appearance of the goalkeeper can be a factor as well. I speak from experience, hefty goalkeepers tend to be bad at low shots but it's never certain

__________________

Yeah that's true. Also, the taller they are, the longer it takes for them to get down and keep out the low ones from bottom corners.

__________________

Nice!