How to Save a Penalty

Last Updated: August 9, 2021

Penalties are awarded in soccer (association football) when a player from one team is unfairly stopped (i.e. Is pushed over, pulled back, brought down unfairly, etc) from having a clear goal-scoring opportunity by the rival team in their own penalty area. The team who was fouled are awarded a shot on goal, one-on-one, with the goalkeeper. In certain games, if a winner cannot be decided after normal/extra time has concluded a penalty shootout will take place. The goalkeeper's task is to ensure that the opposing team doesn't score the penalty.

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Don't get angry at your team-mates, the referee, the crowd, or the other team. This will distract you. If you do get cross channel that anger into the upcoming penalty or count to 50.
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Having your arms out covers more goal area and makes you look bigger and more intimidating to the penalty taker. Bent knees will give you more of a jump when you dive to save the goal.

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If possible during this period try to push the shot away from the penalty area and the lurking members of the opposing team, ideally you will be able to push the ball away towards either your left or right side, resulting in a corner. Better yet, catch the ball if at all possible.
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Notice the simple things. See how the penalty taker places the ball, is it leaning towards a certain angle? And also try looking at their eyes. Where are they fixed to? Make sure to look at the shooter's hips and which way they are leaning. The player's hips give away the side he/she is going to shoot. If you are not sure, either guess a side, react if they shoot it to a side or right down the middle
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Little hints like this give away which way the penalty will be taken.
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Many players will jerk before hitting the ball, trying to trick you. When you have decided where to dive, simply be ready to go that direction, or take a step to the direction (make this step very subtle, or try to disguise it any way you can). Right as the foot strikes the ball, dive to your desired side.
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If you're diving to the right you must fully commit yourself in that direction to prevent the shot sneaking in.
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You can also look at the plant foot of the player. Players always go in the direction of their plant foot. This will probably only work for younger players around U15 and younger.

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Question

After a refree blows a wishtle can I came out from the line?

Community Answer

No, but if you dive forward a little no one will say anything. As long as you don't come more than a few feet out you'll be fine.

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How do I find the direction where the ball is going to go?

Community Answer

If it is in a penalty kick situation, assess the player's body posture. If they lean, then they are mostly following the direction of their preferred foot. If the player is taking on a standard shooting stance, then most likely the ball is going the other way. (Right foot kicks to left and left foot kicks to right). Usually the body posture is the all-important factor to deciding which way the ball will go.

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How can I know what the approaching player will do?

Community Answer

Look at his eyes and watch his body language. You can usually tell from his run-up: if he is right-footed and starts running at the ball from the left side, he will shoot to the left of you. If he runs at the ball near the center, he will shoot left.

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Tips

When reaching for the penalty kick use both hands. Pulling off a successful one-handed save may look nice, but it's riskier than using both.

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Notice which foot the kicker kicks with. If they are right-footed, they will most likely send the ball to their left, or the keepers right. If you are comfortable with this, stand a little to your right if they are right-footed, and left if they are left-footed. This will intimidate and confuse them because they think you are predicting their shot. If they decided to shoot it to the right, it will be a more powerful shot, but you are already standing there, which will make it easier to save the penalty. If they decide to try to shoot to the wider portion, left side, of the goal, it will be a weaker and easier shot to save. Some keepers have used this technique to great effect during penalties and also when the game results in a tie and the game enters sudden death penalty kick shootouts.

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Intimidation is the key. Play to your strengths, if you're a large and intimidating figure stand tall, make yourself look big and spread your arms out wide to make the goal appear small. If you're of a smaller frame attempt to put your opponent off with a strange sort of dance or making your legs appear as if they are unsteady and you're about to lose your balance as was done in the 2005 and 1984 European Cup finals. These actions will distract the penalty taker and make them lose focus, usually blazing the resulting kick wide. As long as you stay on your line anything you do on the line is legal (within reason).

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Warnings

After saving a penalty get yourself to your feet as soon as possible as the shot could be rebounded.

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It's near impossible to save every penalty you face (many studies have the striker scoring 7 out of 10 shots). If you do concede keep your chin up and get ready for the next one.

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If the striker misses the shot, don't let your guard down completely. Your subsequent goal kick could be a very poor one.

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