⚽ Shooting
Penalty Finishing — Picking a Side and Sticking With It
Penalties are won and lost by psychology more than technique.
Penalty Finishing — Picking a Side and Sticking With It — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Clean contact with the laces, not the toe
◆Why this drill works
Penalties are won and lost by psychology more than technique. A player who decides their corner before they walk to the spot and commits to it usually scores. A player who looks at the GK and changes their mind misses. This drill builds the technique while embedding the decision-making approach: pick your corner, commit, don't change your mind.
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- PHASE 1 — No GK (3 reps): place ball on spot. Pick a bottom corner — say it aloud: 'bottom left.' Stride up and strike. The verbal commitment helps the technique.
- PHASE 2 — With GK, GK on the line (3 reps): GK must stay on the line until the ball is struck. Same approach: pick the corner, say it (quietly), commit. Don't look at the GK.
- PHASE 3 — Competition (5 reps): pairs alternate. Tournament format. Track who scores most. Loser of each pair does 5 push-ups.
- Coaching point throughout: 'pick your corner before you walk up. Don't change your mind.'
✓Equipment checklist
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Clean contact with the laces, not the toe
- Composure to place the ball rather than blasting it
- Following the shot in for any rebound
Correct when you see
- Taking an extra touch when the shot was on — be decisive
- Standing and watching instead of following in for the rebound
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Mitre Impel Footballs (6-pack) | Match-weight balls that hold shape all season. | Check price → |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Penalty Finishing — Picking a Side and Sticking With It suitable for?
This drill suits youth. Younger players can use a bigger target or closer range; older players should add a defender and a goalkeeper to increase the pressure.
How many players do I need for Penalty Finishing — Picking a Side and Sticking With It?
This drill works well with around 10 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Penalty Finishing — Picking a Side and Sticking With It take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 15 minutes to run it — about 18 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.