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Penalty Stutter: Risky Tactic or Goalkeeper's Bane?
29 Oct
Summary
- Stuttering penalty run-ups have led to crucial misses in recent cup ties.
- Players use the stutter to trick goalkeepers, but it can backfire.
- Even top players like Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo have failed with this technique.
The debate surrounding the stuttering penalty run-up technique has intensified after several critical misses in recent cup competitions. Chelsea's Valentin Barco notably struck the post with a stuttered approach during a Carabao Cup shootout defeat to Liverpool, an event that also saw teammate Wesley Fofana miss a crucial spot-kick.
Earlier this week, Arsenal's Bruno Guimaraes also saw his penalty saved following a similar run-up as the Gunners were eliminated from the EFL Cup by Fleetwood Town. These instances echo concerns raised during the recent World Cup, where 11 out of 26 stutter penalties were missed.
Football figures like former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy have criticized the technique as 'self-indulgence,' suggesting goalkeepers are no longer easily tricked. However, others, like Glen Johnson, see merit in the approach, noting that Barco's miss was by mere inches and that the taker had already beaten the goalkeeper.
Despite the risks, the stutter run-up remains a choice for players like Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Jorginho, and Raul Jimenez, who have employed it with varied success. FIFA rules permit stopping or feinting during a run-up, provided it's not directly before striking the ball.
