Question
There have been a lot of penalties at this World Cup. Are there any tips we can share with our players to help calm their nerves if they have to take a kick?
Answer
It's almost impossible in training to recreate the feeling for a player taking a kick. And although the level of anxiety cannot accurately be replicated, there are some tips that can help if you have to take a penalty kick:
-Immediately start to visualize the ball hitting the net and the sound it makes. Believe you are going to score! (Positive visualization and reinforcement are powerful tools.)
-While waiting, take deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth and, again, visualize the ball hitting the net.
-Decide where you are going to shoot, and don’t change your mind regardless of what the goalkeeper does.
-At the penalty spot, place the ball so it is sitting clean on the spot. Be absolutely content with your placement before leaving the ball.
-Take your steps back for your run up (far enough to give you the momentum you need to strike the ball with the desired power).
-Take another deep breath, approach the ball, and kick!
-Score or miss, teammates should congratulate the kicker. Celebrate the goal or the confidence and effort to step up and take the kick.
You’ll note I never spoke about the technicality of the strike itself. That’s because it is individual to each player – how he or she kicks and where he or she prefers to place the ball.
Whether the player scores a goal for the team or kicks the ball into the parking lot, remember two things: Stepping up to take the kick shows great character that your teammates appreciate, and finally, keep it all in perspective. It’s only a game!