Dealing with penalty kicks.

Preparing the goalkeepers technically, tactically, and psychologically

Soccer coaches are always debating the merits of penalty-kick tie-breakers. Hardly anyone believes that games should be settled in this manner, but no one has come up with a better alternative.

I believe that the penalty-kick tie-breaker is here to stay - and that nothing could be better for the goalkeeper! It offers him the one dramatic opportunity to show off his talent. In the short span of five minutes, he will often handle more shots than he has had in the previous 120 minutes!

In preparing the keeper to deal with penalty kicks, coaches have to consider three factors: technical, tactical, and psychological.

TECHNIQUE

Goalkeepers have to work on the fundamentals of diving (low balls), boxing, and deflecting shots around the post.

Since most strikers attempt to place the ball low and away to the side netting, we spend a lot of time preparing for low balls. The first step in the dive must be out at an angle to avoid turning the ball into the back of the net.

Depending on his hand strength, the power of the shot, and the field conditions (including the weather), the keeper must also be prepared to box. The only negative aspect in boxing is the lack of reach (using a closed hand as opposed to an open hand) in defeating the ball and the possibility of boxing the ball back to the shooter.

In a penalty-kick tie-breaker, the shooter obviously cannot follow up his first shot. During regulation time, however, the shooter (or any other played will be able to deal with a rebound from the keeper.

TACTICS

This is the area in which there is most agreement. I strongly encourage all keepers to hold their line and go with the shot to cease the silly guessing.

Does a keeper guess on shots during regulation time? Of course not. He'd look foolish diving to the opposite side. So why do it on a penalty kick? It's the kind of habit that will be very hard to break.

Basically, there are three different types of shooters. The first is the pre-determined shooter, who almost always goes to the same side. Most shooters will fall into this category, which is why coaches should do their homework (scouting) to identify them.

Does this give the keeper the green light to guess? Absolutely not! He still must hold his line and wait for the kick.

The second type of shooter is the finesse shooter. He takes a calculated approach to the ball. He tries to get the keeper to commit to one side (go early) and then strikes to the empty side. He is our most talented player, as very few players are capable of mastering this skill.

Again, the keeper must hold his line and explode with the shot.

The third type of shooter is the power shooter. He doesn't always know where the ball is going; he just hits the ball with maximum power, which often means right down the middle.

Again, the keeper must wait for the ball to be struck before reacting to it.

PSYCHOLOGY

If penalty kicks are important (and they are), the keeper must be held accountable for his actions. Coaches who tell their keepers to do their best and not worry because the odds are against them, are hardly encouraging them to strive for success.

I believe that the keeper should be held responsible for penalty kicks and strive to improve his number of saves. Putting a little pressure on the goalkeeper can be helpful in getting him to deal with penalty kicks.

If the keeper is saving 20% of the shots, the coach should be trying to bring his save percentage up to 30% or maybe even 40%.

Remember, a good keeper will force the shooter to strike even closer to the post. Wide shots are often caused by the keepers themselves.

Training

Keepers should work on their techniques in game-like situations, as follows:

DRILL 1: Working against predetermined shots, maybe Five shots to the right followed by five shots to the left. All are predetermined, with the keepers being told where they are going.

DRILL 2: Place two cones or flags on the goal line two yards inside each post, as shown in the diagram. This will leave an area of four yards for the keeper to protect. Have the shooters power the ball down the middle. This provides a great exercise in patience and holding the line until a shot is taken.

DRILL 3: Using the same setup as in the diagram, have the keeper protect the middle four yards, but try to make the save whenever the ball is struck to one of the side areas.

This can be made into a game in which the shooters are awarded one point for a successful shot down the middle or a half point for shot in the side area. Played to 10 points (team vs keepers), this spirited game will give the keeper a legitimate chance of winning.

DRILL 4: Integrate all the training into an actual contest between two groups of players in a penalty kick shootout. The players take turns shooting by the goalkeepers in the goal. The keeper stays in the goal as long as he can keep blocking the shots.