Hints on Association Football. The penalty kick. In taking a penalty kick the player should first make up his mind whether he intends to place the ball to the right or to the left of the goalkeeper. Either direction may be good although most goalkeepers are weakest on the left-hand side. The ball should be driven low, a foot or so above the ground, and placed for 5 feet from the goalkeeper: provided the aim is true it is almost certain to enter the net. When a penalty fails it is usually through the player taking his eye off the ball in kicking.