Punch only when you can't reliably catch a ball. Punch through the ball to add as much power as possible and get a solid contact. Go for height, distance and width, in that order.

Aim for the area of least danger. On a cross that may be back the way it came or up over the top of the crossbar. On a shot the safest direction to punch may be at a slight angle to the incoming angle to direct the ball away from the attackers and into space or to a defender.

France's Keeper Fabien Barthez prepares to punch an incoming cross away in his side's 2006 World Cup second round match with Spain. Notice that although the ball isn't in sight yet, he demonstrates with his fists that he's already made up his mind to punch.