Few moments feel louder than a penalty shootout: one kick, one save, and a whole match can flip in seconds. Whether you're a player, coach, keeper, or fan, knowing the rules and simple tactics can make a big difference. This page gives practical, no-nonsense advice you can use in training and match situations.
After extra time, teams take turns from the penalty spot. Each side gets five kicks. If still tied, it goes to sudden death. The referee tosses a coin to decide who shoots first — that choice matters. The kicker must wait for the whistle, the keeper must stay on the line until the ball is kicked, and the ball must be kicked forward. Small details like foot placement and the whistle can change the outcome, so practice under real conditions.
Pick a trusted spot and stick to it. Aiming at the same corner consistently beats guessing on the run. Low shots to the corner are harder for keepers to reach quickly; high shots need precision. Power helps only if your aim is true — placement beats brute force most of the time.
Decide your approach before stepping up. Hesitation or changing your mind at the last second usually ruins the kick. If you read the keeper and decide to wait, practice a delayed run-up. Keep your routine: three deep breaths, a fixed number of steps, and a marker to focus on. That routine calms nerves and keeps your body repeating the same motion.
Order matters. Many teams put a reliable taker first to build confidence, and a composed player third or fourth to handle pressure. Research shows the team kicking first wins more often, so winning the coin toss can be an edge.
Study shooters. Watch their preferred side, run-up angle, and eye line. Keepers who study tendencies can predict direction more often. On the day, stay big and delay your dive a fraction — a late reaction sometimes snatches low shots.
Practice drills: face rapid-fire penalties to train reflexes; work on split-step timing to push quickly; practice reading hips and planting foot placement to guess direction earlier. Simulate pressure with teammates watching or with countdowns to mimic crowd tension.
Final tip: train the mental side. Practice under pressure, use breathing to reset, and rehearse your routine until it feels automatic. Shootouts are part skill, part nerve. If you control the routine and prepare both body and mind, you give yourself the best chance when the whistle blows.
