To block penalty kicks in FIFA games use the left stick to move your goalkeeper from side to side in an attempt to influence the shot. You can also wait until the penalty is taken to see which way the ball goes. Use the right stick to dive for the ball.
When your opponent is getting ready to execute a penalty kick, the penalty taker’s head will move slightly in the direction they’re aiming for. Use this clue to guess the direction of the ball and save the penalty.
Watch closely for this special head animation of the penalty kick taker.
However, this head animation is not very visible for players with long hair.
How to improve your goalkeeper’s performance
Your goalie’s body frame also plays a crucial role in their performance. You want tall and light goalkeepers that are able to move fast. Height and weight determine how fast players move and how strong they are.
Saving penalties in FIFA is not easy. You need to keep a close eye on your opponent and try to guess or influence the direction of the ball.
Of course, you can use the good old trick where you place your goalie close to one post and invite your opponent to target that area.
However, keep in mind that your goalie will also need more time to get there should your opponent decide to shoot there.
Identify penalty kick patterns
Each one of us has a pattern of where we’re going to shoot when taking penalty kicks. Try to identify that pattern and anticipate your opponent’s moves. For example, if they tend to shoot to the left, dive to the left.
A lot of people will shoot to the right. Most people are right-handed and shooting to the right comes naturally and easier.
Got any additional tips and tricks to save penalty kicks in FIFA? Let me know in the comments below.