THE EXPERIENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE GOALKEEPERS IN PENALTY KICK

Every time more and more, the evaluation of sports performance is carried out by measuring numerous variables that can be analyzed statistically. Specialists in sports performance analysis provide tools for the evaluation and exploration of individual and team performance. According to InStat  almost 100,000 penalty free kicks have been taken in leagues around the world since 2009. Of them, 75.49% resulted in goals, 17.57% were saved, 4.07% went wide, and 2.87% hit posts or crossbar. Women goalkeepers have a slight advantage over men goalkeepers with 17.75% of penalties saved versus 17.55%.

The results provided by InStat suggest that one of the most significant aspects is experience. The two best-performing age categories include goalkeepers between the ages of 30 and 33. Remarkably, the third place is occupied by goalkeepers under 18 years of age, followed by those between 26 and 27 and those aged 35 and over. Goalkeepers who play at least 3 out of 4 games save 18.18% of penalty kicks, while those who do not play regularly are only successful in 17.11% of cases and concede more penalties. Goalkeepers who react in response to the kicker’s movement have a better chance of saving a penalty free kick (35.11%) than those who decide based on a pure guess (21.13%). Of the penalties saved, 49.34% are saved with deviations to the side and 67.37% of bounces are controlled.

From this it follows that game experience and practice help improve performance against penalty free throws. Goalkeepers with a higher proportion of games played and a better reading of the kicker’s body language are more effective. In addition, it is important that the goalkeeper does everything possible to not deflect the ball in front of himself and can control the bounce when possible.

Therefore, we understand that it is important to frequently expose goalkeepers to the experience of the penalty free kick from the early ages, both in controlled isolated training and more open situations. For example, in penalty shootout competitions in which the stimulus is frequent and with pressure to obtain a result, in reduced or formal soccer practices with the rest of the team, and promoting rotation in the formal competition.