How to Shoot a Penalty Kick

If you've ever seen a soccer shoot-out on television, you know there is a real art to the penalty kick. It is a battle between the shooter and the goalie. The advantage is on the shooter's side, but only if she knows what she's doing.

Things You'll Need

  • Game strategy
  • Soccer field
  • Soccer ball
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Instructions

  1. Set Up a Penalty Kick

    • 1

      Place the soccer ball 12 yards from the goal line in the center of the penalty box.

    • 2

      Have the goalie stand on the goal line. The goalie can move side to side, but cannot move forward until the shooter touches the ball.

    • 3

      Keep all other players outside of the penalty box. No other players can enter the penalty box until the shooter has touched the ball.

    • 4

      Blow the whistle when all players are ready for the penalty kick. The shooter can then shoot the ball.

    Shoot a Penalty Kick

    • 5

      Hide your true intentions from the goalie. The goalie will try to guess which direction you plan to hit the ball by looking at your eyes and body language.

    • 6

      Take three big steps back and to the side of the soccer ball. You'll want a head start to give you more power behind your kick, but the head start should be short or you might give away too many clues.

    • 7

      Guess which way the goalie is going to dive. Pretend that you plan to shoot the ball that way.

    • 8

      Shoot the ball in the direction you think the goalie will not dive. Try to aim the kick so the ball makes it into the far side of the goal.

    • 9

      Kick the ball either low to the ground or high up in the corner. These heights are the hardest for the goalie to block.