Taking a Penalty Kick in Youth Soccer Football. 
1st September2011

Many youth football coaches make the mistake of believing their best players make the best penalty takers, though it’s most often the player with no fear, who can hold their nerve, turns out to be the penalty ace.

Beating a goal-keeper from 12 yards is not the most difficult thing a player will ever have to do, though having to do it in front of a crowd of parents and supporters in a crucial match or as part of as shoot-out magnifies the difficulty. There are as many ways to take a penalty as there are ways to kick a ball, though for anyone taking the spot kick there are a few things to consider.

Positive Mental Attitude
You have to want to take a penalty to be successful doing it. In a shoot-out situation, only those players who volunteer should be selected, because those who don’t put themselves forward are often too nervous to get it right. If you truly want to take the kick then you are three quarters of the way to scoring the goal.

Pick Your Spot
Decide before you put the ball on the spot where and how you will place your shot. Once you have decided do not change your mind. Keep it clear in your head and imagine seeing the ball hit the back if the net exactly where toy want it to go.

Don’t Look at The Keeper
Take a look at the goal and where you will place your shot, though don’t look at the keeper. Focus on kicking the ball. The keeper will do everything he can to distract you and put you off the kick.

Keep your Head Down
During your run-up focus on the ball, and when you strike the ball keep your head down and over the ball. Lifting your head makes your body lean back and you are likely to hit the ball too high and over the goal.

The best penalties are positioned away from the keeper. When the ball is placed high into each corner the goal-keeper will have no chance to save it, though putting the ball into this position is a very difficult technique to master, and if you have not put in many hours of practice hitting the ball to precisely this area you will be just as likely to put it high and wide.

The ball hit firmly with pace using the side of the foot will not only ensure accuracy, but with the right pace it will always travel the 12 yards much quicker than the keeper can dive the 4 yards to his side.

Finally, if you are positive and convinced you will score, you probably will.

Further Reading:

• The FA's Youth Masterplan

• FA Small Sided Football Guide

• FA Coaching Badges