Penalty kick procedure, goalkeeper and encroachment offences, and the outcome table for each type of infringement.
The ball is placed on the penalty mark and must be stationary. The kicker is identified. Every player other than the kicker and the defending goalkeeper must be at least 9.15 m from the mark, behind it, inside the field and outside the penalty area.
The goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching, in line with, or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked, and may not be touching the goalposts, crossbar or net. The goalkeeper must stay on the line until the ball is kicked, though only one foot need remain in contact.
The ball must be kicked forward — the technique is otherwise free, so a backheel is legal provided the ball goes forward. Feinting in the run-up is permitted; feinting once the run-up is complete is not, and results in a caution. The kicker may not play the ball again until it has touched another player.
What happens next depends on who offended and whether the kick scored. If the kicker's team offends and the kick scores, it is retaken; if it misses, an indirect free kick is awarded against them.
If the goalkeeper or defending team offends and the kick scores, the goal stands; if it misses or is saved, the kick is retaken — and the goalkeeper is cautioned on the retake if the offence is repeated.
If both teams offend at the same moment, the kick is retaken regardless of the outcome. If the ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward, the kick is retaken.
The second-touch restriction applies only to the original kicker. A rebound off the goalpost or crossbar that falls to any other player — team-mate or opponent — may be played normally, and a goal from it counts.
If the kicker plays the rebound before anyone else touches it, an indirect free kick is awarded against them. If they handle it, the sanction is a direct free kick.
Written against the published IFAB Laws of the Game. For the official text, see IFAB's own Laws documents.
The kicker must be identified, the goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on or in line with the goal line when the ball is kicked, and all other players must be outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark and at least 9.15 m away.
If the ball enters the goal after an encroachment by an attacker, the kick is retaken only if the encroachment was by a defender or the goalkeeper; attacker encroachment with a goal results in a retake, and with no goal an indirect free kick.
9 questions on The Penalty Kick, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.
Where must the goalkeeper be at the moment a penalty kick is struck?
The goalkeeper comes clearly off the line before the ball is kicked and saves the penalty. It is the goalkeeper's first such offence in the match. What is the decision?
An attacking team-mate of the kicker encroaches into the penalty area before the ball is kicked, and the ball goes into the goal. What is the decision?
A defending team-mate of the goalkeeper encroaches before the ball is kicked, and the kick is saved. What is the decision?
The kicker completes the run-up and then feints to kick before striking the ball. What is the decision?
A penalty kick rebounds off the goalpost and the kicker plays it again before any other player touches it. What is the decision?
Before a penalty kick is taken, what must happen regarding the identity of the kicker?
The goalkeeper saves a penalty kick, and the rebound falls straight back to the kicker, who scores from it. Is this a valid goal?
Where must the ball be placed for a penalty kick?
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