Soccer, association football, or just plain football is one of the most favorite team sports played all over the world. Two teams play soccer, with eleven members each. The goal is to bring the spherical ball into the opposing goal.
- The “Laws of the Game” that was published as early as 1863 govern soccer. One o the easiest way to score is to score in a penalty kick. A penalty kick, just like a free throw in basketball, allows a player to stand at around twelve yards or eleven meters from the goal, in order to attempt to kick the ball into the goal.
- Penalty kick is basically the player versus the goalie as everyone else will be outside the penalty area. When you are picked by the referee to perform the penalty kick, learn a few tricks in order to increase your chances of scoring. At most times, the penalty kick will be highly advantageous to your team as this will be the deciding factor when the teams are tied.
- The common mistake of most players who are awarded to take a penalty kick is looking at a direction where they wish to position the ball. Take note that the goalie is watching your every move. If you wish to trick the goalie, do not look at the direction where you intend to kick the ball. If you need to look up, choose a different direction other than where you want to kick the ball. This will allow the goalie to anticipate your kick in the wrong direction.
- If you cannot look at a fake direction, then look straight into the ball. Do not attempt to look up and concentrate on your kick. Do not attempt to make an eye contact with the goalie, this is both unprofessional and a total give away.
- Approach the ball with much confidence. Do not mind the crowd. This is your moment to shine so make sure you make the most out of it. You will need to position your hips wide open. This will keep the goalie thinking on where you will kick the ball. Open hips will also allow you to be flexible when it’s time to kick the ball. Open hips give you an option to go in different directions without dropping hints for the goalie.
- When you are ready for your kick, take a step and then hesitate. This will confuse the goalie on your action. You will need to make your first step a believable one. A fake step will confuse the goalie. If you’re in luck, the goalie will move to your intended direction, make a swift kick on the opposite direction so that the goalie will have no time to recover.
- If the goalie is fast enough to recover, take your kick on the same direction, this will not be anticipated by the goalie, as he will expect you to kick on the opposite direction.
The key to a successful penalty kick is concentration and confidence. You will need to watch the goalie’s actions and anticipate his moves. Practice a lot before the game and share the trick with your other teammates. Work with your team so that each one of you can score a penalty kick.
