England forward Chloe Kelly's unique penalty technique: An examination of her habit of raising her left knee prior to spot kicks.
In the thrilling finale of Euro 2022, Arsenal winger Chloe Kelly was the decisive factor for England, scoring the winning goal in extra-time after her penalty was saved and she scored the rebound.
Kelly's penalty technique is far from conventional. Her run-up style does not telegraph where she is going to place the ball, making it difficult for goalkeepers to predict her moves.
Before taking her penalty kicks, Kelly rotates the ball with her hands a few times. This peculiar habit is part of her method, designed to keep opposing goalkeepers guessing.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Kelly's technique is the distinctive left knee lift she performs during her run-up. This motion serves as a rhythm and timing cue, helping her generate significant power and accuracy in her shot.
Kelly's penalty strikes are renowned for their speed, reportedly reaching velocities up to 70 miles per hour, making her one of the fastest penalty takers in women’s soccer history. The knee lift combined with her run-up technique is a key part of how she generates such explosive power.
During the Euro 2022 final, Kelly's penalty was placed over the keeper and into the top corner, securing England's victory. After the match, Kelly expressed confidence, stating she was not going to miss two penalties in a row.
Kelly's impact on the team was not limited to her penalties. She came off the bench in the quarter-finals and played a significant role in creating England's goals against Sweden. In the final, she also set up Alessia Russo to equalize against Spain.
Pundits have praised Kelly's composure and technique, with ITV's Ian Wright suggesting that England should take their time over penalties due to some players rushing too much.
Despite the spotlight on her unique penalty technique, Kelly admits she doesn't know where she developed the habit of twirling the ball before her penalties. Regardless, it's clear that her method has proven to be successful, helping her to score crucial goals for England.
References: 1. BBC Sport 2. The Guardian 3. ESPN 4. The Athletic
Football is a significant part of Kelly's game, as she demonstrated during the Euro 2022 final with her winning goal in extra-time. Her unorthodox penalty technique, featuring a distinctive left knee lift and ball twirling, makes it challenging for opponents to predict her moves.
