LevelUp.soccer
    advanced
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    Practice 15-20 minutes
    Reactions
    Shot Stopping
    Positioning
    7v7
    11v11

    Penalty Save Technique

    Maximize your penalty stopping chances with proper stance and timing.

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    How to record this drill

    Record 30–45 seconds showing 7–10 actions. This is the scoring clip, not the full 15-20 minutes practice session.

    Behind the penalty taker or side-on to goal, camera eye level (~5–6 ft off the ground) — full goal, keeper's stance on the line, and penalty taker's run-up all visible.

    Objective

    Maximise your chance of saving penalties with stance, timing, and explosive dive.

    Setup

    Goal, gloves, partner taking penalties from the spot.

    Instructions
    1. Begin in a balanced position near the center of the goal.
    2. Watch the taker's approach, hips, and plant foot without committing early.
    3. A very wide approach may indicate that the taker will open the hips. A very narrow approach may indicate a more closed-hip strike. Treat these as clues, not guarantees.
    4. Remain compliant with the current penalty law at the moment the ball is struck and avoid moving illegally forward before contact.
    5. Commit fully once the ball is struck and a direction is selected.
    6. Step and push explosively through the lead foot on the diving side.
    7. Extend fully and make the body as large as possible through the save.
    What good looks like
    • Balanced central starting position.
    • Patient reading of the run-up, hips, plant foot, and ball contact.
    • Explosive step and push from the lead foot on the diving side.
    • Full extension without committing before the strike.
    Common mistakes
    • Moving off the line too early (illegal)
    • Committing to a side before the ball is struck
    • Diving with no power — staying small
    • Reading the eyes instead of the body
    Equipment
    Gloves
    Goal
    5-10 balls
    Partner
    Position fit
    Goalkeeper
    Progressions
    How to make this drill harder as the player improves.

    Foundation

    Level 1

    Stance and reset routine, 10 reps.

    Form

    Level 2

    Read the plant foot, choose a direction, dive — 5 each side.

    Tempo

    Level 3

    Penalties at half-pace, 6 of 10 saved or forced wide.

    Pressure

    Level 4

    Penalties at game pace, 4 of 10 saved.

    Match Rhythm

    Level 5

    Penalty shootout simulation, 5 takers in a row.

    Mastery

    Level 6

    Penalty shootout with crowd-noise pressure — match-day rehearsal.

    How the AI scores this drill
    Primary metric: Accuracy And Power Balance

    Shot Placement

    35%

    Ability to target corners and low zones — avoiding the center where a goalkeeper stands

    Power Generation

    25%

    Proper technique to generate appropriate power

    Technique & Form

    25%

    Body shape, plant foot, striking surface, follow through

    Composure

    15%

    Calm under pressure, takes time to set up shot

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