Match moments / Set pieces
A penalty against us
Penalties are hard to save, so the keeper has nothing to lose. A calm set position on the line, and defenders ready on the edge of the box, make the most of every chance.
In the match
- Decision 1Keeper
- Decision 2Centre-back
- Decision 3Centre-back
You are our keeper.
Where do you stand before the kick?
Play the build-up, then choose.
Best choice
The keeper must stay on the goal line until the ball is kicked, with part of one foot on or in line with the line at the kick. Balanced and on your toes, you can push either way.
It can work
It is allowed, but a good taker sees it and puts it the other way.
Costly
Coming off your line before the kick is against Law 14. If you save it, the referee has it taken again.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 5, a centre-back.
Where do you stand?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
From the edge, outside the arc, you can get to a save before their players, because you are already goal side.
It can work
You are outside the box, but their players are in front of you and get to a rebound first.
Costly
You must be outside the box until the kick. If you are in early and they miss, the referee has it taken again.
In the match, play carries on from the best choice.
You are 5, running in.
The save drops near the spot. What do you do?
Play what happened next, then choose.
Best choice
A clearance out wide takes the ball away from their runners. There is no shame in putting it out for a throw.
It can work
It might work, but losing it here gives them an open goal.
Costly
Their players arrive before the keeper is ready.
How you know it is happening
- The referee points to our penalty spot.
- Our keeper goes to the line.
- Everyone else waits outside the box.
Why it works
The taker scores most penalties, so a goal is never the keeper's fault. A save is a bonus. Staying on the line and balanced keeps the save legal, and defenders goal side on the edge of the box make sure a save is not wasted.
Your job, by position
- GKGoalkeeper
- On the line, between the posts, facing the taker.
- Stay still until the kick, then push off.
- CBCentre-back
- Edge of the box, goal side of their players.
- Clear any rebound wide.
How to explain it
- Tell the keeper: penalties are hard to save, and nobody expects you to. A save is a bonus.
- Practise where defenders stand, so they do not step into the box early.
On the training pitch
- With a friendGoalkeeper handlingThe technique underneath it, with one friend.
- The practiceShoot and saveThe same decision, over and over, with a little pressure.
- The gameThe gameA small-sided game set up so the moment keeps happening.
Set the game up so it keeps happening
- At the end of training, keepers face five penalties for fun. Count saves, not goals.
Three things to say
- On the line until the kick.
- Goal side on the edge.
- Clear it wide.
On Saturday
Tick them off on the day. Nothing is saved: print the page if you want to keep it.
After the whistle
Ask yourself
- Keeper: did you stay on your line until the kick?
What to look back on
- Were our defenders goal side on the edge?