The instep method provides plenty of power, but there is more risk of scooping the ball over the cross bar, or snatching at it and dragging it wide of the goal. Whichever technique is used is a matter of personal preference, and in the professional game there are excellent penalty takers using either method. Pyschologically, it's important to keep calm, and not allow the goalkeeper to be a distraction when taking a penalty kick. Goalkeepers will try anything to put you off, including jumping up and now and trying to intimidate you. It's best to check the goalkeeper's position in case he is leaving one half of the goal completely open, but be sure to concentrate on the football as you take the tick.
Some players find that taking a deep breath before taking a penalty helps.
Soccer Academy features over 100 high resolution video demonstrations , plus colour photographs and 3D illustrations which can be printed and taken to training. Soccer Academy includes video demonstrations of penalty taking, soccer drills, advanced techniques, tactics, training, football rules, sport psychology and nutrition. The orange areas are good places to aim the penalty kick, although low or high shots are even better. There is some room for error in case the shot is wider or higher than the target. Copyright Mastersport Multimedia, 2000-2001 .