How to Save a Penalty

Last Updated: August 9, 2021

Penalties are awarded in soccer (association football) when a player from one team is unfairly stopped (i.e. Is pushed over, pulled back, brought down unfairly, etc) from having a clear goal-scoring opportunity by the rival team in their own penalty area. The team who was fouled are awarded a shot on goal, one-on-one, with the goalkeeper. In certain games, if a winner cannot be decided after normal/extra time has concluded a penalty shootout will take place. The goalkeeper's task is to ensure that the opposing team doesn't score the penalty.

Steps

1
Keep your calm. Don't get angry at your team-mates, the referee, the crowd, or the other team. This will distract you. If you do get cross channel that anger into the upcoming penalty or count to 50.
2
Have your arms out wide and your knees bent. Having your arms out covers more goal area and makes you look bigger and more intimidating to the penalty taker. Bent knees will give you more of a jump when you dive to save the goal.

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3
Make sure you remember that in normal and extra time penalties can be rebounded into the net after you've saved them. If possible during this period try to push the shot away from the penalty area and the lurking members of the opposing team, ideally you will be able to push the ball away towards either your left or right side, resulting in a corner. Better yet, catch the ball if at all possible.
4
Notice the simple things. See how the penalty taker places the ball, is it leaning towards a certain angle? And also try looking at their eyes. Where are they fixed to? Make sure to look at the shooter's hips and which way they are leaning. The player's hips give away the side he/she is going to shoot. If you are not sure, either guess a side, react if they shoot it to a side or right down the middle
5
Did they glance in that one direction for a bit too long? Little hints like this give away which way the penalty will be taken.
6
Never dive before the shot is taken. Many players will jerk before hitting the ball, trying to trick you. When you have decided where to dive, simply be ready to go that direction, or take a step to the direction (make this step very subtle, or try to disguise it any way you can). Right as the foot strikes the ball, dive to your desired side.
7
Try to cover as much ground as you can. If you're diving to the right you must fully commit yourself in that direction to prevent the shot sneaking in.
8
Attempt to dive out of goal in the direction you have chosen, as this cuts the angle of the kick, making you bigger.
9
Note: You can also look at the plant foot of the player. Players always go in the direction of their plant foot. This will probably only work for younger players around U15 and younger.

Community Q&A

Question

After a refree blows a wishtle can I came out from the line?

Community Answer

No, but if you dive forward a little no one will say anything. As long as you don't come more than a few feet out you'll be fine.
Question

How do I find the direction where the ball is going to go?

Community Answer

If it is in a penalty kick situation, assess the player's body posture. If they lean, then they are mostly following the direction of their preferred foot. If the player is taking on a standard shooting stance, then most likely the ball is going the other way. (Right foot kicks to left and left foot kicks to right). Usually the body posture is the all-important factor to deciding which way the ball will go.
Question

How can I know what the approaching player will do?

Community Answer

Look at his eyes and watch his body language. You can usually tell from his run-up: if he is right-footed and starts running at the ball from the left side, he will shoot to the left of you. If he runs at the ball near the center, he will shoot left.

Warnings

After saving a penalty get yourself to your feet as soon as possible as the shot could be rebounded.

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Helpful 33 Not Helpful 4
It's near impossible to save every penalty you face (many studies have the striker scoring 7 out of 10 shots). If you do concede keep your chin up and get ready for the next one.

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If the striker misses the shot, don't let your guard down completely. Your subsequent goal kick could be a very poor one.

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