How to take a Penalty Kick

Penalty Kick! Today we are learning how to take a penalty kick or also known as a PK. 

There are plenty of techniques and styles to take a penalty. I will give you my personal style for taking a PK. 

Key Points:

1. Place the ball with your hands on a good piece of grass 12 yards away from goal. Don't set it up using your foot. Make sure it's perfect by using your hands. 

2. Stand 5-6 steps behind the ball, slightly to the left of the ball if you are right footed. 

3. Let the keeper see you look at both posts. Then don't look at the keeper again. Some keepers will try to get in your head. Don't let them by ignoring them!

4. Be in the zone while waiting for the ref to blow the whistle. Be confident and tell yourself in your mind, "I will score this PK". 

5. Pick a corner based on what your gut tells you to do. Don't change your decision when you run up. Stick to your gut choice. 

6. Pass the ball hard and low in the corner of the goal using the inside of your foot. Aim for inside of the post, but not to close to the post, to give you some room to be a bit off target wide and still have the ball go in the side netting.

7. Celebrate with your teammates! Goooooaalllllll!!!

Equipment Needed: 

As many balls as you have, a goal or two cones you can set up as a goal. Having a partner play goalie helps too if you have one! 

Exercise Player Can Do: 

Practice taking PK's until you feel comfortable or get tired. Do this once a week or every other week. Ideally if you are the PK taker for your team you should practice 5-10 PK's a week against your goalie after training to keep your PK skills sharp. 

What Player Could Be Doing Wrong: 

If you miss 2 out of 10 PK's that is going to happen. Nothing is wrong. If you miss 6 out of 10 PK's then you are doing something wrong. Figure out your PK routine, practice it and stick to it come game time. Be confident in your ability and preparation. 

If you miss because at the last second you changed your mind on where to shoot you ignored your gut choice. The majority of times you will make mistakes is when you doubt your gut choice. Don't doubt your gut feeling! 

Bonus Tip:

Create a PK routine and stick to it. By having a routine it allows you to be comfortable with what you are about to do. Don't have one routine you practice and then one routine for games that you just make up on the spot. If you are going to take a PK in a Championship game having already done this PK routine 100 times prior in training, you will greatly increase your chances of scoring with confidence. 

How do you take a PK? Post your PK style or techniques in the comments so we can all learn from it! 
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This Video Covers:
How to Shot a Penalty Kick - How to Kick a Soccer Ball with Accuracy - Soccer Shooting Drills - Soccer Shooting Technique - Soccer Shooting Tips - How to Shoot a Soccer Ball - Shooting Drills for Soccer - Soccer Shot - Soccer Shooting