Hi Football, Soccer, Futbol fans:
After watching the Japan and Paraguay match that ended in heartbreak for Japan, I thought of how the "easiest" strike in the whole game turns into a nightmare, and why young players should not mimic their idols on the PK spot.
The problem with most players including professionals (unfortunately like Komano of Japan) their technique fails them because they want to produce something cheeky. So how should a young players take the nerve racking PK?
Three Simple Words: Confidence, Placement, Power
The Penalty Shot is a mind game between the goalie and the shooter. Young players need to be able to step up to the spot and believe in their ability to score. The next decision (which needs to be made prior to walking to the spot) is the placement of the strike, Low and Hard, in my opinion is the best option. Yes, the goalie can guess correctly and go the same way as your strike, but it is better to make the goalie work than have the ball soar through the air like the Jabulani ball.
Then comes the power behind the kick, if the player knows where to place the ball then a good hard strike is all the ball needs. There is no reason for a young player to strike the ball and have the intention to bust a hole through the net, because all that will be accomplished is the goalie celebrating a miss.
So when it comes down to a nearly perfect PK the golden rule is "precision over power."
So young players and even veterans of the game remember those three words then you won't have to face the heart-break like Japan felt today.
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