News > Speed, angle and confidence: science behind Chloe Kelly’s powerful penalty

Speed, angle and confidence: science behind Chloe Kelly’s powerful penalty

Arms out, leg cocked: as England’s Chloe Kelly took her penalty against Nigeria the forward was, she later said, confident of scoring. She not only won the game for the Lionesses, she set the record for the fastest shot in the Women’s World Cup so far. According to data from the official match ball, the shot on Monday reached 110.79km/h (69mph). Dr Alexandra Atack, an associate professor of biomechanics at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, said multiple factors contribute to the power of a kick.