Sports
‘Stutter’ or ‘Stop-Start’ Penalty Technique Explained
Penalty shootouts are football’s ultimate psychological battle. While power and placement remain crucial, many of the world’s best penalty takers now rely on deception just as much as technique. One of the most common methods is the stutter or stop-start run-up — a style that divides opinion every time it appears on the biggest stage.
From World Cups to the Premier League, players such as Jorginho, Bruno Fernandes and Neymar have made the technique famous, while tournaments like Euro 2024 and the World Cup have again sparked debates over whether the tactic gives shooters too much of an advantage. So, why is it legal, how do players execute it, and which penalties have become the most memorable examples?
What is the Stutter Run-Up in Penalties?
A stutter run-up is exactly what it sounds like: rather than running continuously towards the ball, the penalty taker briefly slows down, hesitates or changes rhythm before striking it.
The objective is simple: before committing to a corner before the kick, the taker waits to see whether the goalkeeper moves first. If the keeper dives early, the striker can calmly place the ball in the opposite direction.
It differs from the illegal feint because the hesitation happens during the run-up, before the kicking leg begins its final swing towards the ball.
It is legal, provided it is performed correctly. The IFAB Laws of the Game state that players are allowed to feint during the run-up to confuse the goalkeeper. However, once the player has completed the run-up and starts the kicking motion, they cannot stop completely or perform another exaggerated feint before striking the ball.
If a player illegally feints after completing the run-up, they are cautioned for unsporting behaviour and the penalty is recorded as missed if the ball enters the goal.
The rule attempts to balance the contest between the taker and goalkeeper whilst preventing attackers from gaining an unfair advantage at the very last moment.
How do players perform a stutter penalty?
Most players follow a similar process, taking a controlled rather than explosive run-up, slowing slightly one or two strides before reaching the ball. They watch the keeper’s movement rather than focusing solely on the ball, and strike into the opposite corner if the goalkeeper commits early. Issues can arise should the goalkeeper remain firm and not commit, meaning the taker must pick a side and execute clearly.
The technique demands exceptional composure. If the goalkeeper refuses to move, the taker still needs to generate enough power and accuracy despite interrupting their own momentum.
Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster has repeatedly explained why the tactic is so hard to face, saying: “Don’t dive too early because, while he’s running up, you don’t want to be moving in the direction you’re going to go because the better players will just roll it in the opposite corner.”
He recently said on The Two Robbies & Friends Podcast: “The second you stutter, you can’t get the same amount of purchase on the ball. I can wait and still save it.”
Notable Stutter Run-Up Penalties
There have been plenty of penalties during the 2026 World Cup campaign. Justin Kluivert noticeably missed his stutter penalty during the Netherlands’ penalty shootout against Morocco, which resulted in the Dutch being eliminated.
Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade also had their stutter penalties saved during Germany’s penalty shootout against Paraguay, although Joshua Kimmich’s similar technique was successful.
The technique was made popular by ex-Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, whose penalty routine took the Premier League by storm, with the Italian scoring 51 penalties during his whole career. However, even he hasn’t been immune to mistakes, missing a penalty during Chelsea’s EFL Cup final loss to Manchester City in 2018, as well as missing two penalties against Switzerland, which would have seen Italy bag qualification to the 2022 World Cup.
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The Stutter run-up remains controversial because it shifts part of the contest away from pure striking ability and towards psychology. Some argue that the technique unfairly forces goalkeepers to move first, especially given modern interpretations requiring keepers to keep at least part of one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
Penalties arguably already heavily favour attackers, and varying the run-up simply represents another legitimate skill. Reading a goalkeeper’s body language, maintaining balance and still finding the corner requires exceptional technical quality under immense pressure.
As long as the players stay within IFAB’s laws, the stutter run-up is likely to remain a feature of football’s biggest occasions. Whether loved or hated, it has become one of the defining penalty techniques of the modern game — and one that continues to test the nerve of both takers and goalkeepers whenever a match hangs in the balance.
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Coventry City and Wrexham are both interested in signing Everton goalkeeper Mark Travers in the summer transfer window, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, with his release clause now revealed.
Travers made the move to Everton last summer from Bournemouth, signing a four-year deal to keep him tied down until June 2029.
The Republic of Ireland international came in as the number two goalkeeper for Jordan Pickford, spending last season predominantly watching on from the bench.
Travers made just two appearances for the club last term, with both of those coming in the Carabao Cup.
With Pickford likely to remain the number one option between the sticks for the Toffees’ next campaign, it could be an opportunity for Travers to head through the exit door.
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According to GIVEMESPORT sources, both Coventry City and Wrexham are showing an interest in signing Everton goalkeeper Travers in the summer transfer window.
Travers is believed to have a release clause in his contract worth around £4m, meaning Everton have no say in allowing him to depart if either of the clubs decide to pay that figure.
The Republic of Ireland international arrived at Everton for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m, according to the Liverpool Echo, meaning Everton are likely to make their money back if they do offload him.
Despite showing an interest in signing Travers this summer, GIVEMESPORT understands that Coventry’s top target remains Brighton goalkeeper Karl Rushworth.
The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Coventry, helping Frank Lampard’s side gain promotion to the Premier League.
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Exit Could be Beneficial to Travers
At the age of 27, it could be time for Travers to go out and play regular first-team football.
The former Bournemouth goalkeeper is going to struggle to displace Pickford in Everton’s starting 11, so a move to a club where he is going to play regularly would be smart.
If Coventry fail with a move to sign Rushworth this summer, then joining Lampard’s side could see him become a regular first-team player.
That would give Travers the opportunity to become a number one in the Premier League, something he has struggled to do consistently in his career.
The 27-year-old has played 24 times in the Premier League, never making more than 12 appearances in the top flight in one season.
Tottenham Hotspur are already lining up their next blockbuster signing after Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Tottenham and ENIC have gone into overdrive in the summer transfer window and have shocked their fans and Premier League opponents with the aggression they are showing in the market.
Having wrapped up bargain free transfer moves for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka within the first couple of weeks of the window opening, Spurs have now started spending big money.
Jan Paul van Hecke cost just over £50m from Brighton and Hove Albion, while the north Londoners have just spent £185m combined on the double midfield swoop for Fernandes and Tonali.
Those two moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium means that a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis is now off, with the Portugal international saying his goodbyes on social media on Friday afternoon.
With the goalkeeping, defensive and midfield positions coming together nicely, attention is now expected to turn to strengthening De Zerbi’s attack as Tottenham look to make a huge impact next season.
Tottenham have been linked with Manchester City star Savinho, but now they have their eye on a Premier League winner too.
Romano: Tottenham Want Cody Gakpo
Tottenham have been linked with many left-sided attackers, including Savinho, Rafael Leao and West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville in recent weeks, but now they are said to have an interest in 2025 Premier League champion Cody Gakpo.
Rumours suggested that the £250,000-a-week Netherlands international was considering his future at Anfield following the dismissal of Arne Slot, but Romano claims that Liverpool have no intention of selling and hints it may take a big proposal to change their stance.
Issuing an update on his latest YouTube video, the Italian journalist said:
“Keep an eye on Tottenham for Cody Gakpo, because Tottenham have interest in the player. Then I can tell you that Liverpool, as of today, the beginning of July, are not opening doors to an exit. So, at the moment, Liverpool are not telling Gakpo, ‘Okay, you can leave’, they are not telling Tottenham, ‘Okay, let’s negotiate’. This is not happening now.
“So, at the moment, the door is closed from Liverpool, but we have to see later on this summer, in case Tottenham really open talks by sending a proposal. At the moment, it is interest. If they send a proposal, we have to see what’s going to happen there. So it’s a story to keep an eye on.”
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Tottenham Can Sign Gakpo Alternative for £51m
Gakpo is likely to cost Tottenham big money with Liverpool unlikely to want to sell to a Premier League rival for a smaller fee, but Spurs have been told they can sign an alternative to the Dutchman and Savinho for just over £50m.
According to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, AC Milan could be willing to sell Rafael Leao for as little as €60m (£51m) this summer.
The player has already publicly confirmed his desire to move on from the San Siro this summer for a new opportunity, with suggestions that the Premier League would be his dream move.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all in the market for a left-sided forward, so it will be interesting to see who makes their move.
For fans outside of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the timing of games has been one issue to contend with when watching certain World Cup fixtures. This will be very apparant for those who want to watch England take on Mexico in their upcoming Round of 16 match, with the game set to kick off at 1am (GMT).
Having finished top of Group L, Thomas Tuchel’s men met DR Congo in the next round but struggled against their underdog opposition, falling behind to a fine effort from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute. It took until the 75th minute before Harry Kane found a leveller and then won the game with four minutes to play.
As a result, England will take on Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The tournament co-hosts beat Ecuador 2-0 in their previous outing, having also finished top of their group (A).
More Than Just Altitude Could Cause Chaos During England vs Mexico
Much has been made about the altitude difficulties England will face during the fixture, which takes place at 6pm local time. This is because Estadio Azteca sits at 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) above sea level, making it the highest altitude stadium in North America.
Mexico have lost just twice in 89 competitive matches at the stadium, with it widely believed that the altitude hinders opposition teams when visiting. Tuchel’s men will have to deal with less oxygen in every breath, while there is also less resistance on the ball, causing it to move faster, which could catch out players unfamiliar with the conditions.
With all this to worry about, there is one more key issue that could impact the occasion, as thunderstorms are expected that evening in Mexico City. According to the Met Office forecast, they tempestuous weather is expected to begin an hour before kick-off.
The report notes that the thunderstorms are forecast between 17:00 and 19:00 local time. As such, the game could be delayed, as was seen when poor conditions halted France’s 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia by two hours. England also faced weather delays in the US ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica.
Any major storms could prove disastrous for England fans hoping to watch the Mexico game in UK pubs. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made sure that the venues will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday morning, but things could get tight if the game is delayed.
Monday’s match in Mexico is not expected to finish until at least 03:00, but if the game is delayed, fans might be forced out before the full-time whistle is blown. What’s more, if injury time and penalties are required, it will make timing towards the end of the match even tighter.
US Have Strict Rules Over Lightening Near Sport Stadiums
According to US rules, via TalkSport, play must be stopped if a lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium. A match can only resume after 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike, and that countdown resets if more bad weather arrives.
Fox Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan has explained:
“We’ve had some increased moisture in Mexico and, with that in mind, we might have some rain in the area. It’s the lightening I would be concerned with rather than the rain.
“If there’s a lightening strike within an eight-mile radius of the stadium they will have to postpone the game and there will be a chance we will have some storms for Azteca Stadium.”
Speaking on all the issues his team could face against Mexico, England boss Tuchel accepted their World Cup rivals have a ‘huge advantage’ due to the altitude, adding: “The ball will fly differently [at altitude]. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience.”
Even so, he insisted his players won’t be looking for excuses. “Bring it on,” he said, before noting: “It’s a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles, but this team will be ready, whatever it takes.”
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