Penalty Shootout Tips: How to Nail the Deciding Spot Kick
If you’ve ever watched a match go to penalties, you know the pressure is insane. One mistake can swing a whole season, while a calm finish can make you a hero. The good news? The shootout isn’t magic – it’s a skill you can train. Below are simple drills, mental tricks and coaching pointers that help players and teams handle the pressure and score more often.
Get Your Technique Right
First thing is the basics. A clean run‑up, solid plant foot, and a compact swing give you the most control. Keep your stride short – three to four steps is enough – and make sure the non‑kicking foot points to your target. When you hit the ball, snap your ankle and follow through. Practicing this at a steady pace helps muscle memory so the motion feels automatic when nerves kick in.
Try a “target practice” drill: place cones in each corner and the middle of the goal. Players take ten shots, aiming for a different cone each time. Score a point for hitting the cone, and a bonus for hitting the same spot twice in a row. This forces accuracy and teaches players to pick a spot and stick with it.
Train the Mind, Not Just the Feet
Pressure is the biggest enemy in a shootout. The brain can freeze just as quickly as a leg can miss. One easy mental routine is the “four‑step reset”: breathe in, visualize the ball’s path, focus on the target, then execute. Do this before every kick in practice, so it becomes second nature on match day.
Another tip: simulate the crowd. Have teammates or coaches chant, whistle or even throw a ball after each attempt. The louder the environment, the better you’ll cope when the stadium roars. Record video of each attempt and watch it later – seeing yourself stay calm reinforces confidence.
Coaches can also assign roles. Pick a designated “shooter” for each position (left‑back, striker, etc.) and let them rehearse that specific spot. This reduces decision‑making time in the heat of the moment. Pair younger players with a veteran for a quick pep talk before the shootout – the veteran’s calm can rub off.
Game‑Day Strategies
Know your goalkeeper’s habits. Does he dive early? Does he prefer the low side? Spend a few minutes watching his warm‑up to pick clues. If you’re a coach, give each player a primary and a backup spot. If the first choice looks guarded, they can switch without hesitation.
Order matters, too. Some teams like to start with a confident striker, others prefer a calm defender first. Experiment in training to see what works best for your squad. The key is keeping the rhythm – no long pauses between kicks, because the longer you wait, the louder the nerves get.
Finally, celebrate every successful kick, even if the shootout ends in a loss. Positive reinforcement builds a habit of confidence, and players will go into the next match knowing they’ve handled the pressure before.
Penalty shootouts won’t disappear, so give them the attention they deserve in your training schedule. A mix of solid technique, mental routines, and smart game‑day planning turns a nerve‑wracking moment into a chance to shine. Try these ideas next week and watch your conversion rate climb.
Kieran Lockhart, Mar, 12 2025
Shamrock Rovers' chances of advancing in the Europa Conference League ended with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout loss to Molde after a tense 1-1 aggregate draw. The Irish team faced setbacks, including an early goal by Magnus Wolff Eikrem and a second yellow for Molde's Isak Amundsen, but couldn't secure a win. The shootout saw Rovers miss key penalties while Molde remained flawless.
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