Winning Penalty Shootouts: Strategies, Preparation, and Common Misconceptions

Penalty shootouts represent the most intense moments in football, testing nerves and skill in equal measure. Many great players, including Roberto Baggio in the 1994 World Cup, Kylian Mbappé at Euro 2020, and even Lionel Messi during the Copa América, have faltered under this pressure. Whether a superstar or an unexpected participant, anyone can face this challenge.

Preparation Makes a Difference

It’s often said that penalty shootouts are a lottery, implying luck plays the biggest role. This idea sometimes serves as an excuse when players miss, but it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. For instance, England historically lost six out of seven shootouts from 1990 to 2012. Under Gareth Southgate, however, they changed tactics by bringing in sports psychologists and focusing on regular practice. This approach led to winning three of four shootouts after 2016.

Southgate said after England’s victory over Switzerland in Euro 2024: “We refined that process a little bit. We have more regular penalty-takers in the squad than we had in 2021 and more that have been in shootouts.”

Pick Your Spot and Commit

Coaches often advise players to choose their target corner early and stick with it. The modern trend of hesitation or waiting for the goalkeeper to move first can backfire, making the penalty taker look uncertain. Players like Alan Shearer stood out because of a straightforward, confident run-up and strong shots to either corner without second-guessing.

Use Substitutions Wisely

Managers sometimes bring on specific players late in extra time just for their penalty skills. These players face high pressure but offer fresh legs and confidence. A famous example is Tim Krul at the 2014 World Cup, subbed in by Louis Van Gaal and going on to save two penalties, helping the Netherlands advance.

Have a Clear System

A support structure helps players handle shootout pressure. England employs a buddy system where each penalty taker meets a teammate at midfield after their kick, regardless of success or failure. This stops any player from facing the emotional weight alone. Other teams try to replicate the shootout environment during training by practicing in similar stadium conditions with crowds to simulate real pressure.

Choosing the Right Order

The sequence of takers matters greatly. Often teams save their best player for the fifth kick, expecting the shootout to reach that point. But if the contest ends sooner, that star may never shoot. Ideally, the top five shooters should be those most confident and skilled, taking kicks one through five to maximize chances of success.

Moving Past Defeats

England’s long history of shootout losses weighed heavily on both fans and players for decades. Southgate’s era introduced a positive mindset, intense preparation, and psychological support to break this cycle. Even after losing on penalties to Italy at Euro 2020, the team didn’t spiral into negativity as might have happened in the past.

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