Who thinks that a penalty shoot out is all luck?

Question

My friend (chelsea fan) belives that the penalty shootout between Liverpool and Chelsea for the semi was all luck. Sad to hear, but he somehow belives its luck. The goalies vision to read which way the player is going to shoot and also the quality of the person taking the shot determines the outcome of a shoot out. Thats my opinion, please tell me what you think, if a Penalty shoot out is luck or class

Answer 1

when it comes to penalty kicks the shooter has almost a 90% advantage. even if the keeper gets a hand on it, its mostly luck. if the shooter has practiced his shots frequently his advantage increases to almost 95% all the keeper can do is guess and hope to make a save

Answer 2

Basically, it's a psychological war + luck + preparation. If you want it to be like coin-tossing, you'll get what you want. Penalty taker should be calm and confident, otherwise his shot will go miles away.

Nowadays, goalkeepers can play more important role. It's true that they can 'read' where the ball goes by watching the penalty taker's hips, but it will be much better if they learn where the penalty taker usually kick the ball to. They can watch video record of past games. Jens Lehmann did this so that he could beat Argentina players in World Cup 2006.

Answer 3

Taking the shot requires nerves and skill, without one or the other you're dead already. The goalie is basically stuck in a guessing game, but based on percentages doesn't necessarily have to be right that often just once maybe twice. Now, if you are good and lucky, you save a couple like Reina against Chelsea. If you are bad and unlucky, you save none (like Robinson in the World Cup). But ultimately the result is on the striker's boot, or Liverpool is playing and of course God intervenes. (see Chelsea final and Istanbul)

Answer 4

I dont think a penalty shot is luck because as a goalie i know that if some one is taking a penalty shot on me than they have to work to get it. The shot has to be aimed perfectly in a spot that the goalie can't get to and that takes a lot more than luck.

Answer 5

Well of course, penalty shootouts are like tossing a coin, it is always a 50-50 chance. But hey, there really is no better team when it comes down to the shootout, because if there was a better team they should've finished the game before they got to the shootout. There is no such thing as luck, what most people call luck, in reality is just probability.

Answer 6

I don't really like it, but it's probably the most fair way. Think about it: okay, you've played a full 90+minutes, gone into the overtime period, so what's the option? I don't think it's luck though. Guys shoot fast and keepers are 6+ ft. tall.

Here's a quick fact..... former Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin saved 150 pk's.

Answer 7

Your view is correct. The keeper reads the kicks and can determine which way the ball is going to some extent. However, a well placed kick will beat the keeper everytime. If the shot taker can hide is movements and/or place the kick well, he/she will beat the keeper. So, in the end, it's all about skill.

Answer 8

Its both skill and luck
It helps if you kick it straight and find the target and the fact that the goalie goes the right or wrong way is down to luck in my opinion.

Answer 9

Its both skill and luck.

You need a good strategy and a good kick with no mess ups.
The luck part is if the goalies good or not.

Answer 10

There is a lot of skill involved and many master it, but I believe it is a horrible way to determine a game.