Why the Stutter Step Penalty Kick Is a Bad Idea

By: Daryl | July 28th, 2009

Seems that every once in a while, some footballer or other overthinks things from 12 yards out. The result is usually a stutter step penalty kick, and – often it seems – an embarrassing miss.

This weekend it was Szombathelyi Haladás’ Brazilian midfielder Maikel’s turn to get it very much wrong in a 5-0 preseason defeat to Arsenal. Think it’s safe to say Arsene Wenger will not be offering the lad a contract anytime soon.

I don’t have any hard figures on spot kick success/failure rates using the stutter step, so I can’t mathematically prove that it’s a bad idea. But I do have some embarrassing stutter step video to share. Which is arguably more convincing than numbers ever could be:

This is Ronaldo’s recent lazy effort for Corinthians…

And here’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s horrific attempt in the 2008 Champions League Final that very nearly cost Man Utd the trophy. He seems to be frozen in time for a second…

Well, at least Maikel can now claim to have something in common with the two Ronnies.

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Category: World Football

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Luka

Firstly, that should never have been allowed had it gone in, because the player actually stopped before taking the kick. Secondly, Daryl is correct in saying that he slipped because he attempted the stutter. In the end, there is no better way to take a penalty than to blast it into the top corner.
Charley

i love original ronaldo's attempt. lol classic. he is so winded from running down the field (and lazy) that all he can do is trudge up to the ball and slap at it. haha
Daryl

I thought it was a little from column A, a little from column B, meaning he slipped as a result of attempting the stutter step. Could very well be wrong though.
andersen

i agree with marlon, it does look like Maikel slipped and just tried to salvage it.
Marlon

It looks much more like Maikel slips, where as I think the Ronnies through in those stutter steps with the hopes of messing with the keeper.
The Binocular

Nice collection! Very funny!

Do it like Henry and chip lightly straight !
Naturelover

I always didn't link penalty kicks. they spoil the mood and there is no fun in watching team winning on the ground of penality shootout.
thx