You are playing football as a goalkeeper when you notice that there is a minute left in the match and your team is winning 2-1. Suddenly the ball reaches you, but a defender intercepts it with his hand, and moreover in the area! At this point the opposing team has a penalty in favor and if they score it, the game will end in a draw.
In your head you think: "Please let me save it so we win the game!". The penalty is about to be beaten. Your heart is beating fast. Then the referee blows his whistle.
The footballer starts running. Bang! He pulled! And you jump where instinct leads you. While you lie on the ground, the opposing team is celebrating, instead your team is sad. You raise your head towards the door. The ball is in the net!
Read the following article which will also help you in this situation.
Steps
Step 1. Look at the player's head
If the player is looking down, the ball will remain on the ground. If the player looks straight ahead and his vision is parallel to the ground, the ball will come in at great speed and may lift off the ground, but only a few inches. If the player's body is tilted slightly backwards, the ball will rise from the ground.
Step 2. Look at the player's foot (support foot)
Once the player places his foot on the ground, the ball will move in the same direction that the toes point. The only exception is when the player takes a shot, in which case the ball will curve to one side or the other with respect to the intended trajectory.
Step 3. Look at the player's other foot (kicking foot)
If the player uses the inside of the foot, it is more difficult for the ball to get off the ground. If the player uses his toe, he is most likely trying to lift the ball off the ground. Spin shots are harder to spot. If the player does not hit the ball right in the center, he is most likely trying to spin it to one side or the other. If the distance between the player and the ball is short, the player will strike the ball forward. If, on the other hand, the distance is long, the player will throw the ball over his body.
Step 4. Watch the ball
More experienced players will try to fool the goalkeeper with a feint, moving the body in one direction and kicking the ball from the opposite side.
Step 5. Immediately after the player kicks the ball, dive in that direction and keep your eyes on the ball
Step 6. Observe the player throughout the match and when it's time for the penalty kick, think
Do you prefer the right or left foot? If he's right, he'll most likely shoot center or left. The same reasoning applies to left-handed footballers.
Step 7. Does he like to shoot high?
The moment he lifts his leg after pulling, be prepared to jump high; otherwise, quickly jump about 3cm forward while still holding your position, then dive 6cm forward in the direction of the ball. To practice, ask a friend to kick with the ball low. After the first dive, look where you are, you should be about 9 cm from the goal line. This tactic should work. It is also the one used by Gianluigi Buffon, who is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Step 8. Tell your defenders to be ready for a possible pushback and tell them to look at the goal
Everyone has to look at the door.
Step 9. Observe the player's life, it is a surefire sign; if the waist is facing left, that's where the ball will be kicked
Step 10. Watch the step the player takes with the supporting foot
If he takes a short step, he will kick the ball to the left of the goalkeeper (for a player who uses the right). If he takes a long step towards the ball, he will throw it to the right of the goalkeeper (for a player who uses the right).
Step 11. Know that all the pressure is focused on the shooter
Penalties are not impossible to save, but you will be the last person to blame if the ball enters. The player who committed the foul and the one who has an easy goal at hand have all the pressure on them. All you can do is become a hero for your team with a great save!
Advice
- Remember, if the shot is rejected, the ball can be played. Be ready to shoot.
- More than guessing the direction of the penalty, you can actually tell the player where to aim the ball. To do this, when the player looks up before kicking the ball, take a small step away from where you want the ball to go. The footballer will be encouraged to place the ball on the side where the space is greatest, but in the meantime take a step back towards the center of the goal and you will already have a good chance of knowing where the ball will hit. This method doesn't always work, but it can often succeed.
- Observe which side the player's support foot is facing before kicking the ball.
- You can move along the goal line, but not forward until the penalty is taken. Jerzy Dudek's “dance” on the goal line is a great way to deconcentrate the player.
- Most of the players who shoot right want to "throw" the ball to the right of the goalkeeper.
- If you know that the player has a strong shot, throw yourself to one side just before he kicks the ball; in this way the player could have second thoughts about where to kick the ball and could get confused.
- Do not go out the door to intercept the ball, as a player could run after you, receive a pass and score.
- A good method is to just look at the ball and try to dive that way.
Warnings
- Don't relax too much after the first save if the ball has been saved, especially after a penalty kick in regular time. You could eventually let go of the rebuff, which can result in a goal. Therefore, if possible, as in ice hockey, once the shot has been blocked, try to cover the ball. You then have six seconds to get rid of the ball.
- If you have to think, the opponent will score.
- Take it easy.
- Don't think that the ball will hit the post, if you do you won't be able to parry it!
- Don't give in psychologically.
