Why don't keepers just stand up...

[Whaddapie]

... and see if the penalty comes straight at them every now and then?

Half the penalties I've seen taken this season would hit the goalie somewhere between kneecap and mouth if he just stood there and closed his eyes. Both the ones I saw yesterday, for example.

Now that 'down-the-middle' appears to be a technique, it's probably as good as guess as left or right.

 

[spider-Neil]

the best thing keepers can do is study the regular penalty takers of each club and especially if said penalty taker took a penalty in the previous game before facing them.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

Ron Atkinson was a fan of this, as he reckons you'd save 2 in 5. One at you, and one "close enough"

 

[Richey]

If a keeper always just stands there then they get accused of 'not even trying'.

Keepers are pretty much in a win-win situation with penalties anyway. Noone expects them to save so if they do its a bonus.

 

[FoxForceFive]

[quote author=Richey link=topic=35955.msg947385#msg947385 date=1253485955]
If a keeper always just stands there then they get accused of 'not even trying'.

Keepers are pretty much in a win-win situation with penalties anyway. Noone expects them to save so if they do its a bonus.
[/quote]

That's pretty much it TBH.

I used to do it every now & then & got my own team mates telling me I wasnt trying. As I'm nowhere near tall enought to stretch to the post & cover enough of the goal, add in the fact that most amateur players kick it less fast so you can react in time to save it, then it makes sense, but everyone just expects you to dive as soon as they kick it.

 

[Skullflower]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=35955.msg947338#msg947338 date=1253477806]
Ron Atkinson was a fan of this, as he reckons you'd save 2 in 5. One at you, and one "close enough"
[/quote]

not now he's told everyone.