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Penalty Kicks
Penalty kicks are conceded when a defended player fouls or commits a handball inside the 18 yard box (commonly known as the penalty box).
It's important to know that not all offences inside the penalty box are punished with a penalty kick. For example, if a player commits non-dangerous (minor) foul inside his own penalty box, the referee will award an indirect free kick from the place that the offence occurred
When the penalty kick is taken, the only two players allowed in the 18 yard box are the penalty taker and the defending team's goalkeeper. Everyone else must be positioned outside the box and can only move towards the ball once it is kicked. Once the penalty is saved by the goalkeeper or strikes the bar, a player could run from the edge of the box and gain possession
Goalies must keep their feet on the goal line and not move until the ball is kicked. Referees allow them some leeway, particularly in the sideways direction. (Goalies always cheat, but must they be subtle so as not to exceed the referees level of tolerance.
It's important to know that not all offences inside the penalty box are punished with a penalty kick. For example, if a player commits non-dangerous (minor) foul inside his own penalty box, the referee will award an indirect free kick from the place that the offence occurred
When the penalty kick is taken, the only two players allowed in the 18 yard box are the penalty taker and the defending team's goalkeeper. Everyone else must be positioned outside the box and can only move towards the ball once it is kicked. Once the penalty is saved by the goalkeeper or strikes the bar, a player could run from the edge of the box and gain possession
Goalies must keep their feet on the goal line and not move until the ball is kicked. Referees allow them some leeway, particularly in the sideways direction. (Goalies always cheat, but must they be subtle so as not to exceed the referees level of tolerance.
Ghana-Uruguay 2010 World Cup Penalty Kicks: This is an informative video on several levels. The play is both at regular speed and in slow motion.
The opening sequence shows Ghana being denied a game winning goal when a defender deflected the ball with his hand, which is an automatic red card and a penalty kick.
Ghana missed the penalty kick, which would have won the game. They then lost the game in the round of penalty kicks used after two fifteen minute overtimes to avoid a tie.
I believe that that a goal should be awarded rather than a penalty shot. Forum
As is often the case, a prior misplay would have altered the action. At the beginning of the video the Uruguay goalie came off his line to punch the ball out of danger. He did not connect with ball cleanly which enabled Ghana to pick up the loose ball.
Rule 14 states that Goalies must keep their feet and not move until the ball is kicked. Since most professional penalty takers score approximately 85-90% of the time, goalies cheat by slightly moving in anticipation of the shot. This can vary from very slight movements such as leaning forward on the balls of the feet to actually moving.. It is a matter of what the goalie thinks he can get away with and what a referee will allow.
The goalie and the penalty kick taker are the only players allowed in the penalty area until the kick is taken. They have to make split second decisions as the shot is being taken. Where will the kick be placed and how will the goalie move.? A summary of the Statistics of Penalty Shots indicate that the most effective placement of the kick is in the upper third of the goal near the end posts. Also, most goals are scored in either the right or left third of the goal and the highest percentage of saves are in the center third of the goal. Statistically, goalies who do not anticipate the direction of the penalty kick by electing to dive to one side are more likely to make a save.
There are several things to note in the video of the Ghana-Uruguay PK shootout.:
I stopped four of five penalty shots when I played at Lehigh University. Although never coached whether to anticipate or not, I was more comfortable reacting to the shot. Three of those saves, which were on balls within arms length of my center position, would have been goals if I had anticipated. The forth was a diving save where fully extended I deflected the ball with my finger tips. I must say that a goalie is pleased with any save, but the feel of a flying masterpiece is priceless . John McDermott captured this with his flying goalie photo. Photo on the right. (The Beautiful Game-slide show image 4 if you do not see a diving goalie).
The opening sequence shows Ghana being denied a game winning goal when a defender deflected the ball with his hand, which is an automatic red card and a penalty kick.
Ghana missed the penalty kick, which would have won the game. They then lost the game in the round of penalty kicks used after two fifteen minute overtimes to avoid a tie.
I believe that that a goal should be awarded rather than a penalty shot. Forum
As is often the case, a prior misplay would have altered the action. At the beginning of the video the Uruguay goalie came off his line to punch the ball out of danger. He did not connect with ball cleanly which enabled Ghana to pick up the loose ball.
Rule 14 states that Goalies must keep their feet and not move until the ball is kicked. Since most professional penalty takers score approximately 85-90% of the time, goalies cheat by slightly moving in anticipation of the shot. This can vary from very slight movements such as leaning forward on the balls of the feet to actually moving.. It is a matter of what the goalie thinks he can get away with and what a referee will allow.
The goalie and the penalty kick taker are the only players allowed in the penalty area until the kick is taken. They have to make split second decisions as the shot is being taken. Where will the kick be placed and how will the goalie move.? A summary of the Statistics of Penalty Shots indicate that the most effective placement of the kick is in the upper third of the goal near the end posts. Also, most goals are scored in either the right or left third of the goal and the highest percentage of saves are in the center third of the goal. Statistically, goalies who do not anticipate the direction of the penalty kick by electing to dive to one side are more likely to make a save.
There are several things to note in the video of the Ghana-Uruguay PK shootout.:
- 1. Notice the footwork of both goalies. On one shot the Ghana goalie was almost dancing.
- 2. Both goalies guessed wrong each time they anticipated the direction of the shot.
- 3. All the saves were made when the goalie reacted to the shot. Even when the shot was not stopped, they were closer to making a save than when they anticipated the shot.
- 4. The Uruguay goalie made a reaction save by diving to his left after the kick was made. Note that the ball was not directed to the corner and he reached back to deflect the ball. If he had chosen to anticipate the kick, and had guessed correctly, he might have been closer to the corner post, but the ball could have been behind him.
I stopped four of five penalty shots when I played at Lehigh University. Although never coached whether to anticipate or not, I was more comfortable reacting to the shot. Three of those saves, which were on balls within arms length of my center position, would have been goals if I had anticipated. The forth was a diving save where fully extended I deflected the ball with my finger tips. I must say that a goalie is pleased with any save, but the feel of a flying masterpiece is priceless . John McDermott captured this with his flying goalie photo. Photo on the right. (The Beautiful Game-slide show image 4 if you do not see a diving goalie).
Are penalty kicks a head game? The Science of Soccer studies indicate that they are. The movement of the goalie prior to the shot, which is not allowed, does seem to affect many shooters. Goalie movement in field plays also has an effect upon the attacker as he is then may lose some concentration. We will get into this in the discussion of breakaways.
Penalty Kicks Topple Another Spanish Titan: Real Madrid 3-Bayern Munich 3.