Can You Fake a Penalty Kick? Here’s Your Answer.

Can you fake a penalty kick in soccer? Yes, but only at a certain point during your penalty kick (PK).

According to Law 14 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), feinting (or faking) as the player is running up to the ball is permitted but not after the run up is completed. In other words, you can fake and move when you run up to the ball but not when you are kicking the ball.

Key Takeaways From This Article:

You can can’t fake the actual penalty shot but you can as you run up to it.
I don’t recommend youth players to try faking it at any point. Not only could it be called back but you lose momentum in your shot.
There are various methods to ‘faking’ a penalty kick (jump to section).

For youth soccer players: I highly recommend you DON’T fake a penalty kick. You will find more success if you place it in the corners. When you fake a penalty kick, you lose momentum to strike the ball hard and accurately. Just my 2 cents!

While faking a penalty kick may seem like a clever tactic, it’s important to remember that it’s ultimately up to the referee’s discretion whether or not it’s allowed.

Let’s dive into this controversial topic some more…

Faking a Penalty Kick

Faking a penalty kick in soccer refers to the act of deceiving the goalkeeper by pretending to kick the ball in one direction and then actually kicking it in another direction.

This technique is used by the player taking the penalty kick to gain an advantage over the goalkeeper and increase the chances of scoring a goal.

Purpose

The purpose of faking a penalty kick is to create confusion and uncertainty in the mind of the goalkeeper, making it difficult for them to predict the direction of the ball. If they are looking at the body, a sudden fake can make them go in one direction or the other.

It is important to note that faking a penalty kick is not always successful and can sometimes result in a missed opportunity. It requires a high level of skill, practice, and confidence to execute the technique effectively.

In addition, faking a penalty kick can also be considered an act of unsporting behavior and may result in a caution or even a red card if the referee deems it to be intentional deception. Therefore, it is important for players to use the technique responsibly and within the rules of the game.

Methods to Legally Fake a Penalty Kick

There are a few methods you can use to fake out the goalkeeper and increase your chances of scoring. Here are three popular techniques:

Feinting

Feinting involves making a sudden movement or change in direction just before you kick the ball.

Feinting can be done in a number of ways, such as a sudden change in direction, a fake kick, or a stutter step.

If you can make the goalkeeper think you’re going one way, then suddenly go the other, you’ll have a much better chance of scoring.

Misdirection

Misdirection involves looking one way but kicking the ball in another direction. For example, you might look like you’re going to kick the ball to the left, but then kick it to the right.

To misdirect successfully, you need to make the goalkeeper think you’re going one way, then quickly change direction and kick the ball in the opposite direction.

This can be done by using your body language, such as looking one way but kicking the ball in another direction.

Body Language

Your body language can give away your intentions, so it’s important to use it to your advantage.

For example, you might lean one way to make the goalkeeper think you’re going to kick the ball in that direction, then quickly change direction and kick the ball in the opposite direction.

To use body language effectively, you need to be aware of your movements and how they might be interpreted by the goalkeeper.

If you can make the goalkeeper think you’re going one way, then quickly change direction and kick the ball in the opposite direction, you’ll have a much better chance of scoring.

Can You Stutter Step on a Penalty Kick?

Yes, a player can legally stutter step during a penalty kick as long as they do not stop their forward motion once they have started their approach to the ball. If a player stops their forward motion after stutter stepping, it is considered a violation and the kick will be disallowed.

Here’s a video of Neymar’s penalty shot, notice the stutter step on the run up.

Consequences of Faking a Penalty Kick

Faking a penalty kick in soccer can have both positive and negative implications. In this section, we will explore the risk factors and possible outcomes.

Risk Factors

Faking a penalty kick can be a risky move for a player. It requires a great deal of skill and confidence to pull it off successfully.

If the player fails to execute the fake convincingly, they risk losing the opportunity to score a goal and facing the consequences of a missed penalty kick. Your coach would not like this! Especially when they understand that a normal shot has a higher probability of going in.

Additionally, if the referee detects that the player is faking, they may issue a card for unsportsmanlike behavior.