Law 14: The Penalty Kick Explained
Law 14 covers the full procedure for taking a penalty kick, including the positioning of players, goalkeeper movement, the kicker's approach, and what happens when encroachment or other infringements occur.
Key Points
- 1The penalty spot is 11 metres from the goal line, centred between the posts.
- 2The kicker must be clearly identified before the kick is taken.
- 3The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on (or behind) the goal line when the ball is kicked.
- 4All players except the kicker and goalkeeper must be outside the penalty area and arc, at least 9.15m from the ball.
- 5Infringements by the goalkeeper, kicker, or other players may result in the kick being retaken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the goalkeeper move before the penalty is kicked?
The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line (or in line with it) at the moment the ball is kicked. They may move along the goal line before the ball is kicked, but not step off the line. If the goalkeeper encroaches and the penalty is missed or saved (without a rebound being scored), the kick is retaken.
What happens if a player other than the kicker encroaches into the penalty area?
If an attacking player encroaches and the penalty is scored, the goal is disallowed and the kick is retaken. If a defending player encroaches and the penalty is missed, the kick is retaken. If both teams encroach, the kick is retaken regardless of the outcome.
Can the kicker stop their run-up to deceive the goalkeeper?
A feint in the run-up is permitted, but once the kicker's run-up is complete, they cannot stop and wait for the goalkeeper to move. Stopping at the end of the run-up and then kicking is an infringement and an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.
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