How to score penalties: aim, power and curl

A penalty can look simple: pick a corner and kick hard. But a shot that is too close to the post can miss, and maximum power may make it harder to place the ball where you want it. In Penalty Shootout, aim, power, and curl all shape the kick, so small, deliberate choices are more useful than guessing.

Start by choosing a clear target, then set enough power to reach it and add curl only when it helps. The Penalty Shootout lets you aim, set power, and curl your kicks against a bot. Use the advice below to make each attempt a useful test, not just a hopeful shot.

Choose a target before you kick

Decide where you want the ball to go before adjusting the shot. Aiming at a part of the goal gives you a consistent reference, while changing direction at the last moment makes it difficult to tell which adjustment helped or hurt.

For a first attempt, aim to one side of the goal rather than trying an extreme angle. A shot toward a corner can be harder for the goalkeeper to reach, but aiming too close to the post leaves less room for error. Pick a spot inside the goal frame with some margin from the edge.

Use a different target on later kicks. If every shot goes to the same side, the bot may save one, and you learn less about how your aim responds. You do not need to alternate sides mechanically. Choose the placement that looks useful for that attempt, then pay attention to the result.

Balance power with placement

Power is not a substitute for accuracy. A very hard shot can be difficult to place precisely, while a softer shot may give the goalkeeper more time to reach it. The right setting depends on the target and on how the game responds to your input.

For a controlled shot: Start with moderate power and aim comfortably inside the goal. This gives you a baseline to compare with later kicks.
For a shot toward a corner: Keep enough room from the post and increase power only if the ball is not reaching the target quickly enough.
When the ball goes wide or high: Reduce power or move the aim farther from the edge. Change one of these at a time so you can identify the cause.

Do not assume that a shot needs maximum power to score. A well-placed kick can be more difficult to stop than a harder shot aimed where the goalkeeper is already moving. Treat power as a way to adjust the shot, not as a score to maximize.

Use curl to change the ball's path

Curl adds bend to a kick. It can help move the ball away from the direction it starts in, but too much can send it outside the goal. First learn what a direct shot does with your chosen aim and power. Then add a small amount of curl and compare.

Keep the intended landing area in mind. If you aim toward one side and add curl, judge where the ball actually ends up, not just where you aimed. A curved path can make a shot less predictable, but it is useful only if the ball still reaches the goal.

Use little or no curl: When you want a straightforward shot and are still learning how aim and power work together.
Add curl gradually: When a direct shot is easy to read or you want to adjust the ball's path around the goalkeeper.
Reduce curl: If the ball keeps drifting beyond the post or away from your chosen target.

Aim, power, and curl can affect one another in the final result. Avoid changing all three at once. If a kick misses, adjust the most likely cause first, then try again.

Read the result and make one adjustment

After each kick, note whether it went wide, high, centrally, or toward the target. Also notice how the bot responded. A saved shot and a missed shot call for different changes: a shot outside the goal needs better placement, while a shot the keeper reaches may need a different direction, speed, or curve.

Choose a target inside one side of the goal.
Set a moderate amount of power and take a direct shot.
Check where the ball went and whether the bot reached it.
Change just one setting, such as moving the target slightly or adding a little curl.
Repeat the shot and compare the result with the previous kick.

If your shots repeatedly go wide, bring the aim inward before adding more power. If they reach the target but are saved, try a different placement or a change in curl rather than simply hitting harder. If they go high, lower the aim or reduce power and test again.

Vary your kicks without losing control

Once you can make a reliable shot, vary one feature at a time. Aim left with a direct kick, then try the same general placement with a little curl. On another attempt, keep the direction similar and alter the power. This helps you learn the game's response while keeping the shots deliberate.

Avoid repeating the exact same kick every time. A bot that dives toward one side can make a predictable pattern costly. You can still use a preferred shot as a starting point, but adjust your target when the previous kick suggests the keeper is anticipating it.

There is no need to force an extreme corner or heavy curve on every attempt. A safe target with enough power is a useful choice when you want consistency. Use a more ambitious placement when you have a reason to, and leave a margin so a small aiming error does not turn a goal-bound shot into a miss.

Build a simple routine

Before each kick, take a moment to choose the target, set power, and decide whether curl is needed. Keep the routine in that order. If you are unsure, begin with a direct, moderately powered shot, then use the result to guide your next attempt.

When the game gives you a chance to defend, watch the bot's kick and use the dive input available in the game. Attacking and saving use different decisions, so do not let a missed save change the plan for your next penalty. Focus on placing the next shot clearly, and use each result to make a small, purposeful adjustment.