Taking Great Penalties
SoccerToday’s columnist Dan Abrahams shares his insights and advice for success on the soccer field for players of all ages. A global sport psychologist and author specializing in soccer, Abrahams is based in England and works with professional soccer players in the English Premier League (EPL). Abrahams has helped hundreds of soccer players – many of them who play in the English Premier League (EPL) and others who play across Europe. A recent example of his work includes helping Yannick Bolasie make an enormous impact on the EPL for Crystal Palace. Abrahams has held contracts with QPR, Fulham, and West Ham among other clubs and works quietly, behind the scenes with many coaches from top clubs across Europe.
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Well what a feast of soccer I had recently. I have to say that the Manchester United V Sunderland match from Old Trafford was a great advertisement as to why soccer remains the number one sport on the planet.
Excitement, raw tension and more twists and turns that the most fantastical of Hollywood plot. Although I must say that the ending to the game was more in tune with a British farce than an American action film. It was more Ricky Gervais than Vin Diesal.
The 2nd leg of the Capital One Cup went to penalties after two goals were scored, one for either side, in the dying minutes of what proved to be a compelling fixture. Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, has seen some incredible penalties scored over the years, but not during that match.
Manchester United V Sunderland was a display of tragic decision making and technique breaking down under pressure. As an Englishman, I’m used to seeing this from our beleaguered National team (we always lose penalty shoot outs), but rarely do I see top flight domestic teams produce such poor spot kicks. The pressure seems to be getting to our multi million pound players – they’re struggling to score from 12 yards.
No doubt you, your players – or your son or daughter – will have to take a penalty at some point this season. Players need to know how to take great penalties.
Here is my quick guide to dealing with that, oh so pressured, all important penalty kick that can win or lose a game:
- Make a decision and stick with it. Decide where you’re going to place the ball and avoid changing your mind.
- Pick a small target – it’s the way the nervous system and brain works best. Keep your target in mind but don’t make it obvious to the keeper where this might be. Use your third eye (the picture you house in your mind) to keep the target in your thoughts.
- Have a consistent run up. Whether its 2 paces, 5 or 10 keep it consistent every time.
- Trick your mind into confidence. Science is showing us that you can use your body language to helping your mind release the kind of hormones that help you feel confident and increase your certainty. Stand ‘tall and confident’ just before you start your run up.
- Focus on getting a great strike. Under pressure the body tends to freeze up and lose its ability to coordinate itself efficiently. A lot of penalties are saved because they aren’t very well struck and therefore lack the power needed to beat the keeper. Your brain knows where your target is – your job is now simple, get a great strike on the ball.
- Keep it down – alongside getting a great strike focus on keeping the ball down. The brain is keen to see the outcome of your penalty effort and will naturally start to lift up as you strike the ball. This can lead to a shot that sails over the bar. Strive to get a great strike while keeping the ball down – simple!
- Finally – when all is said and done, if the keeper guesses correctly he may well save your penalty. You can’t control what he does – only what you do. If you miss but you’ve executed the points outlined above, there isn’t much more you could have done. Move on!
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Dan Abrahams is a global sport psychologist specializing in soccer. He is based in England and has some of the leading turn-around stories and case studies in English Premier League history.
Abrahams is sought after by players, coaches and managers across Europe and his 2 soccer psychology books are international bestsellers. He is formerly a professional golfer, is Lead Psychologist for England Golf and he holds a degree in psychology and masters degree in sport psychology. Abrahams books be purchased from Amazon.com or from his website.
