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The aim of this page is to recognise a correctly taken penalty, and to know how to deal with the possible infringements.
It was only in the 20th Century that the penalty spot was introduced. In the decade before penalties, originally called the kick of death, could be taken anywhere along a line 12-yards from goal.
Apart from a few important additional rules - a penalty kick is essentially a direct free kick taken from the penalty spot. There is nothing very complicated about the procedure for taking penalty kicks. Nevertheless - the outcome of a penalty kick can have a decisive effect on the outcome of a match, and will effect how players will respond during the remainder of the match. It is therefore vital that the Referee adheres to all the stipulations concerned with the taking of a penalty kick.
Penalty kicks are one of the most dramatic events in a game of football (soccer). They can also be one of the most nerve-wracking occasions.
Click here for specific details covering Kicks from the Penalty Mark A penalty kick is awarded if any of the direct free kick offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play. For example, if the ball is in play within the centre circle, and a goalkeeper who is in his own penalty area thumps an opponent, a penalty must be awarded to the opponent's team.The main differences between a penalty kick and a direct free kick are as follows:
(a) The defending players are not permitted to form a defensive wall.
(b) The ball must be touched and moved forward before it is deemed to be in play.
(c) The goalkeeper must remain on his goal line until the ball is touched and moves forward.
(d) All players (apart from the penalty taker and the goalkeeper) must be outside of the penalty area and the penalty circle, and behind the ball, and must remain there until the ball is touched and moves forward.
(e) The penalty kick must not take place until the Referee has clearly indicated commencement.
(f) If a penalty kick is awarded at the very end of a half, "Additional time" is allowed for a penalty kick to take place.
(g) The penalty kick is always taken from the penalty spot, and not from where the incident occurred within the penalty area
(h) The person taking the penalty kick must be identified to the Referee and to the goalkeeper.
When the defending team commits a penal foul punishable by a direct free kick within its own penalty area, then a penalty kick must be awarded by the Referee. The severity or seriousness of the foul, the score of the game, the amount of time remaining in the period of play, the direction play was moving, the likelihood of a goal being scored, or any factor in play is irrelevant. The ball must also be in-play, before a penalty kick can be awarded.
The lines of the penalty area are part of that penalty area; any penal foul committed by a defending player on the line itself is therefore a penalty.
It is the location of the foul, and not the position of the ball when the foul occurs that determines whether a penalty kick should be awarded or not. The ball must also be in play.
For examples:
(a) A ball is passed forward into the penalty area by an attacker. The attacker then runs past the defender. The defender purposefully trips the attacker who is moving towards the penalty area - contact with the attacker's ankle was made just outside the defender's penalty area. The attacker falls forward into the penalty area. Because contact was made outside the penalty area, the result is a direct free kick awarded to the attacker's team.
(b) The defending goalkeeper - who is standing in his goal area - pumps the ball towards the centre circle, and then decides to thump an innocent attacker who is standing in close proximity and within the penalty area. The result is a penalty to the attacking side, (after the goalkeeper has been sent-off). Even though the ball was near the centre circle at the time of the incident, the sending-off incident occurred within the goalkeeper's penalty area - therefore a penalty kick must be awarded.
(c) You can not award a penalty if whilst the ball has left the field of play for a throw in, a defender in his own penalty area spits at an attacker. Play should be restarted with the original throw-in (after the defender has been sent-off).
(d) After kicking the ball up field and out of his penalty area, the defender then kicks the leg of a retreating attacker who was standing inside defender's penalty area. The result is a penalty awarded to the attacker, because the ball was still in play, and the foul took place in the defender's penalty area.
A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the penal offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is still in play.
A goal may be scored directly or indirectly from a penalty kick.
Position of the Ball and the Players: Go to top of this page
The ball:
The ball must be placed exactly on the penalty mark, regardless of the state of the pitch. Moving the ball to a slightly different position, even with the apparent agreement of both teams should not be permitted. But I do believe in a modicum of common sense here: If Team 'A' are winning 10 - 0, and the losing Team 'B' is awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game - does it really matter if the penalty taker moves the ball a couple of inches to one side, because the penalty spot has disappeared under an inch of water?
The player taking the penalty kick:
This prevents any 'gamesmanship' occurring, when a player could place the ball on the penalty spot, turn his back as if to walk to his starting position, and then a colleague quickly runs up and kicks the ball towards goal. The Referee should ensure that the goalkeeper knows exactly who is taking the penalty kick.
The defending goalkeeper:
The Referee should only signal for the penalty kick to begin if the goalkeeper is on his goal line between the goal posts and facing the field of play. And when all the other players are positioned correctly.
The players other than the kicker must be located:
Players must remain on the field of play whilst a penalty is taking place. If players were allowed to leave the field of play, they would invariably try and distract the penalty taker, either by making a show of leaving the field, or by moving around to stand behind the goal net to distract the kicker.
All players - apart from the kicker and the goalkeeper - must remain outside the penalty area, and outside of the penalty arc.
Players are not permitted to stand in front of the penalty mark, in the area between the goal line and the penalty mark. This would unfairly distract both the goalkeeper and the penalty taker.
The 10 yard penalty arch ensures that players are at least 10 yards from the ball, and outside the penalty area when the penalty is taking place.
| The Referee should always indicate the start
of a penalty by using a short but loud and clear whistle. To indicate that the Referee has awarded a penalty, he should blow his whistle loudly, and by point an outstretched arm downwards towards the penalty mark. |
|
| The Assistant Referee can signal a penalty
decision by raising his flag across his chest. This penalty flag signal is not an official
flag signal, and is rarely used these days. See the 'Referee Signals' page for more detail. |
|
Position of the Referee and Assistant Referees
Over the years, there have been discussions as to the best position for Referees and Assistant Referee to take during penalty kicks. Referees have their own ideas as to their best position. There is a great deal to look for and monitor during the taking of a penalty kick.
It can be very difficult (nearly impossible) for the Referee to watch for encroachment by players, at the same time as ensuring that the penalty kick is taken correctly. Recently, Referees have been asked to 'clamp down' on encroaching players. It is very important to let players know beforehand, that encroachment will not be tolerated. Tell the players to stay out of the penalty area and penalty circle, until the kick has taken place. This sometimes deters players. But invariably - in real life - we only have one pair of eyes. (Some of us Referees are blind, or so I am lead to believe by the comments received during nearly every game).
See my Positioning Page for details of all Referee positions on the Field of Play
| Fig. (5a)
Penalty Kicks. There is a great deal to look for and to monitor during the taking of penalty kicks. A change to the Laws for the season 2000/2001 advised that Assistant Referees are now expected to indicate to the Referee when the goalkeeper moves forward from his goal line at a penalty kick - they are also responsible for judging whether the ball has crossed the goal line for a goal. The nature of the signal to be given is to be determined by the officials in pre-match discussions (briefs). Taking this advice into consideration, the best position for the Referee and the Assistant Referee is depicted by the positions shown in Fig 5a. It can be very difficult (nearly impossible) for the Referee to watch for all encroachment by players, at the same time as ensuring that the penalty kick is taken correctly. Recently, Referees have been asked to 'clamp down' on encroaching players. It is very important to let players know beforehand, that encroachment will not be tolerated. Tell the players to stay out of the penalty area and penalty circle, until the kick has taken place. This sometimes deters players. But invariably - in real life, Referees only have one pair of eyes. The Referee must give a clear signal to the players (particularly to the penalty taker and the goalkeeper) to tell them when the penalty kick can be taken. |
Fig. (5a) Penalty Kicks.
|
If the ball does not move forward - the penalty should be retaken.
If the penalty taker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.
The distance the ball moves is irrelevant, so long as it moves forward.
In the amendments to the Laws leaflet for this coming season 2003- c circulated to all registered referees, there is a directive from FIFA regarding the taking of penalty kicks. There is a concern throughout all levels of football that the proper procedure is not being followed, or respected, by players at the taking of penalty kicks. The two main areas where Law is not being correctly enforced are:
Either or both the above occur before the ball is in play i.e. is kicked and moves forward
We as referees enforce the Laws. It is then up to us to ensure that penalty kicks are taken in the correct manner as prescribed by the Laws of Association Football (pages 30 and 31).
Listed below some useful advice to consider before a penalty kick is about to be taken:
When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goal posts and under the crossbar:
If a penalty kick is awarded in the last seconds of a game, there will not normally be enough time to restart he game after the taking of the penalty. The Referee should let players know that the penalty kick is being taken in "Additional Time." This will prevent players trying to encroach, or run in on any rebounds etc.. Only the kicker and the goalkeeper can participate in penalties taken in "Additional Time". The goalkeeper may be replaced by a substitute, if the maximum number of substitutions has not been exceeded, or he may be replaced by an eligible player on the field of play. All players must remain on the field of play until the penalty kick has been completed. The Referee has no authority to make any players leave the field or the vicinity of the penalty area before the taking of a penalty kick in "extended time".
The Referee decides whether a goal has been scored during an "Additional Time" penalty.
The game ends when the "Additional Time" penalty kick has been correctly taken AND the ball:
(a) Wholly crosses the goal line between the goal posts.
(b) OR rebounds back into play. (In other words - the ball ceases to move forwards.)
(c) OR is clearly saved.
(d) OR is kicked directly out over the goal line or the touch line.
(e) OR if the ball is pushed/deflected by the goalkeeper over the crossbar, or around the post and then crosses over the goal line.
As soon as a goal has been scored, or the ball goes out of play or ceases to travel forwards in the "Additional Time" period, the half is over. The ‘Additional Time’ is there to allow only for the taking of the penalty kick. No additional or further action is allowed. The penalty kick taker is not allowed to touch the ball a second time during "Additional Time". See Law 7 (The Duration of Play) for "Additional Time".
Generally speaking, infringements are punished in the same way - regardless of which team committed them.
If a player from the defending team infringes before the ball has been touched and moves forward, an unsuccessful penalty will be retaken; but a successful penalty will be allowed to stand.
If a player from the attacking team infringes before the ball has been touched and moves forward, an unsuccessful penalty will be not be retaken; but if a goal is scored, the penalty must be retaken.
If players from both teams infringe simultaneously (for example, if a player from each team enters the penalty area before the kick is taken), the penalty is retaken regardless of whether a goal was scored or not.
Infringements can occur both before the ball has been touched (and in play) or after the penalty kick has been taken.
Infringements before the penalty kick take place may be committed by the kicker, the goalkeeper, or by the kicker's team-mates, or the defending team.
Infringements after the penalty kick have been taken may be committed by the kicker or by an outside agent. If during a penalty kick - the ball is touched by an outside agent (e.g. a dog) whilst it moves forward - the penalty kick must be retaken. If during a penalty kick the ball reaches the goal and rebounds back into play off the crossbar, goalpost or goalkeeper and it is interfered with by an outside agent (such as a dog), play must be stopped and restarted by a dropped ball taken on the place where the ball was interfered with. If occurring inside the goal area, the dropped ball is taken on the long goal area line adjacent to where the incident occurred.
Cautions should not necessarily be given automatically for first offences, including failure by members of either team to respect the required distance, infringements by the kicker before the penalty kick being taken, or the goalkeeper who comes off his goal line whilst the penalty is taking place. Referees must be prepared to take action against a player(s) entering the penalty area before a penalty kick is taken. According to the Laws of the Game it is not necessary to caution a player guilty of this offence but the referee must be prepared to order the kick to be re-taken in appropriate circumstances.
The Referee must distinguish between clear infringements of Law 14 and those that are merely doubtful, trifling or accidental.
It is an infringement to enter the penalty area before the kick has been taken. The goalkeeper also infringes the Laws if he moves from his goal-line before the ball has been kicked. Referees must ensure that when players infringe this Law appropriate action is taken.
Reason:
Law 14 was amended in 1997, taking away the necessity for Referees to caution
when player(s) entered the penalty area prior to a penalty kick being taken. The
amendment also allowed the goalkeeper to move along his goal line. Nowadays,
infringements often occur at a penalty kick, yet the Referee seldom takes
action. Any Cautions administered, should be done before any play is restarted.
If the Referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following situations occurs:
A team-mate of the player taking the kick infringes the Laws of the Game:
A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game:
The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:
The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:
The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent:
RESTART MATRIX
OUTCOME OF THE PENALTY KICK |
NO INFRINGEMENT TOOK PLACE |
INFRINGEMENT WAS COMMITTED BY THE KICKING TEAM |
INFRINGEMENT WAS COMMITTED BY THE DEFENDING TEAM |
INFRINGEMENT WAS COMMITTED BY BOTH TEAMS |
BALL ENTERS GOAL |
KICK-OFF * |
RETAKE |
KICK-OFF * |
RETAKE |
BALL GOES DIRECTLY OUT OF PLAY OVER THE GOAL LINE |
GOAL KICK * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
BALL REBOUNDS BACK INTO PLAY FROM THE GOAL POST/GOALKEEPER |
PLAY CONTINUES * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
PENALTY IS SAVED AND HELD BY GOALKEEPER |
PLAY CONTINUES * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
BALL IS DEFLECTED OUT OF PLAY OVER THE TOUCH-LINE BY GOALKEEPER |
THROW IN TO KICKER'S TEAM * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
BALL IS DEFLECTED OUT OF PLAY OVER THE GOAL LINE BY GOALKEEPER |
CORNER KICK * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
BALL BURSTS ON THE CROSSBAR AND ENTERS THE GOAL |
KICK OFF * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
KICK OFF * |
RETAKE |
| BALL BURSTS ON THE CROSSBAR AND REBOUNDS BACK INTO PLAY |
DROPPED BALL * |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE | RETAKE |
| OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE OCCURS AFTER THE BALL REBOUNDS BACK INTO PLAY FROM A GOAL POST, CROSSBAR, OR GOALKEEPER | DROPPED
BALL
*
|
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
RETAKE | RETAKE |
IF AN OUTSIDE AGENT TOUCHES THE BALL AS IT MOVES FORWARD |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
RETAKE |
| TEAM MATE RUSHES FORWARDS AND TAKES KICK INSTEAD |
Not applicable |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
Not applicable | Not applicable |
| BALL IS HEELED BACKWARDS TO TEAM MATE WHO KICKS THE BALL |
Not applicable |
RESTART WITH INDIRECT KICK TO DEFENDING TEAM * |
Not
applicable
|
Not applicable |
| PLAYER TAKES THE PENALTY KICK BEFORE THE REFEREE HAS SIGNALLED | Not applicable | RETAKE | Not applicable | Not applicable |
* = But play ends if in extended time.
Questions and Answers: Go to top of this page
Additional Questions and Answers provided by FIFA covering all of the Laws of the game, can be found on this web site here. The original FIFA Questions and Answers pdf file can be downloaded from the FIFA web site here.
Question 1 : When is a penalty-kick considered completed in the event of additional time being extended at half-time or full-time to allow it to be taken, or in the event of kicks being taken from the penalty-mark to determine the winner of a match?
Answer 1: (Source FIFA 1990 Q&As).
There are three possible situations:
The following advice from Paul is also worth considering: "The momentum of the kick is the crucial point here. No matter how many combinations of goalpost, crossbar, goalkeeper's body parts etc are involved, if the ball ends up in the goal because of the energy imparted onto it by the kicker's boot, a goal should be allowed." Thanks Paul. (WebMaster).
"History"
Question: When does a penalty kick actually end?
Answer: Prior to a change in the Laws in season 1987/1988, the Penalty-Kick Law
14 was not clear in defining when a penalty kick had been completed; both when
time had been extended at the end of a half to allow for the taking of a penalty
kick, or when kicks are being taken from the penalty-mark to decide a winner
after a match had ended in a draw.
The so-called 'Madrid Law' (more correctly the Mexico Rule!) sought to minimise
future confusion, following a controversial penalty goal, scored by the French
player Bruno Bellone in the classic 1986 Mexico World Cup Quarter Final game
between France - Brazil.
The French player Bellone, hit the crossbar during the penalty shoot-out, and
the ball came back out and hit the rear of Brazil goalkeeper Carlos and went
into the goal. The Referee allowed the goal to count, and France went on to win
4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time. The Referee was Ioan
Igna (Romania), and his linesmen were, Vojtech Christov (Czechoslovakia) and
Lajos Nemeth (Hungary).
There was a lot of controversy about the French penalty kick at the time. But it
was the Scottish Football Association who successfully sought clarification, by
proposing the following Law 14 (Penalty Kick) change that was accepted at the
100th International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting held at
Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno in Wales on Saturday 13th June 1987.
The approved text, was inserted at the bottom of the first paragraph of Law XIV,
page 31 of the revised 1987/1988 'Referees' Chart and Players Guide to the Laws
of Association Football', and was as follows:
"When a penalty kick is being taken during the normal course of play, or
when time has been extended at half-time or full-time to allow a penalty-kick to
be taken or retaken, a goal shall not be nullified if, before passing between
the posts and under the cross-bar, the ball touches either or both of the
goalposts, or the cross-bar, or the goalkeeper, or any combination of these
agencies, providing that no other infringement has occurred."
At the same time, the following words, were also added to the end of the F. A.
Board Decisions No. 6 paragraph as shown in italics below:
"When a match is extended, at half-time or full-time, to allow a penalty
kick to be taken or retaken, the extension shall last until the moment that the
penalty-kick has been completed, i.e., until the referee has decided whether a
goal is scored or not, and the game shall terminate immediately the Referee has
made his decision."
(The gist of these words still appears as part of the modern Law 14 - Penalty
Kick).
Previous to season 1987/1988, the wording originally introduced by the IFAB on
17th June 1901 at Llangolen Wales, only referred to a goal being allowed if the
ball touched the "goalkeeper" before passing between the posts. It
made no mention of the ball bouncing off the framework of the goal and then
deflecting into the goal off the goalkeeper.
(The Penalty Kick Law in the early 1900's, was numbered Law 17.)
The Law XIV International Board Decisions were stripped out of the Law book
during the complete Law book re-write for season 1997/1998. This expunged the
conflicting Decision No. 7(b) that previously stated, "the game shall
terminate immediately the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the cross-bar or
the goal-post". Some Referees, saw this as a clause that allowed them to
end a penalty-kick as soon as the momentum of the ball ceased to travel
forwards; and this conflicted with the new wording (and modern thinking) of
1987/1988, which is more aligned to the 'spirit of the game'.
So when does a penalty kick end?
To avoid any confusion, and for those of you who are looking for a simple
solution to a very complex problem, the momentum of the kick is the crucial
point in deciding when a penalty kick has been completed ………………..
"No matter how many combinations of goalpost, crossbar, goalkeeper's body
parts etc. are involved, if the ball ends up in the goal because of the energy
imparted onto it by the kicker's boot, a goal should be allowed."
Those of you, who are looking for a complex solution, which confirm the simple
sentiments in the above paragraph, can refer back to FIFA Questions and Answers
Booklet 1990, which specifically addressed every possibility when a penalty kick
is completed at the extension of time and at kicks from the penalty mark. The
over-elaborate detail, has been dropped from the later editions of FIFA
Questions and Answers Booklets, but the concepts will still apply, until
superseded by a change in the Laws.
Question 2: What shape should the penalty mark be?
Answer 2: There is no specific shape for the penalty mark defined in the Laws. In fact, Law 1 (The Field of play) simply states that 'a penalty mark is made'. The Law has never insisted that the mark be one shape or another.
It is the positioning of the mark that is important, and not its shape. In other words, a penalty mark may be round, square, or perhaps even a cross. Whatever shape the penalty mark is, the ball 'is placed on the penalty mark' (in accordance with Law 14 The Penalty Kick).
The important factor, is that the ball should be placed as near as possible to the distance stipulated in Law 1 (11m (12yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistance from them.'
The penalty area originally consisted of a line marked across the whole width of the field 12 yards parallel to the goal line. The penalty kick, proposed by the Irish FA and adopted in 1891, was taken from any point on this line. At that time, players had to retreat 6 yards from free kicks and penalty kicks, hence all players other than the kicker and the goalkeeper were required to observe an 18 yard no-go virtual line behind the ball. In 1902, the IFAB decided that the ball should be kicked from a single penalty mark, 12 yards from the centre of the goal, and a new 'penalty area' was constructed - a rectangular box 18 yards by 44 yards, as we know it today. The wording of the 1902 original penalty mark introduction was as follows:
'A suitable mark shall be made opposite the centre of each goal, 12 yards from the goal line; this shall be the penalty kick mark.'
In 1910, the 10 yards distance at free kicks was introduced, but is was not until 1937 that the IFAB decided to add the 'D' arc of 10-yard radius from the penalty mark, onto the 18-yard line.
Question 3: Can a player be made to take a penalty kick.
Answer 3: A player who is confident in taking on this responsibility is likely to be more successful than a player who is nervous. No team should force a player to take a penalty if the player does not want to. Nervousness is a primary cause of poor penalties. Players who are good under pressure and are known to have an accurate shot make the best penalty takers. Many teams have already designated a player to take penalties during a match, so that the captain will know whom to nominate - this avoids the potential for arguments. The Referee can not make a player take a penalty - the team Captain is ultimately responsible for resolving any disputes of this nature.
Question 4: Law 14 states that the goalkeeper "must remain on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goal posts until the ball has been kicked". The goalkeeper may move anywhere along the goal line from side to side, before the penalty kick has commenced. Many goalkeepers will move slightly to one side and flap their arms about to encourage the kicker to aim at the other side, or to distract him. What action should the Referee take if the goalkeeper jumps up into the air from his goal line, just as the kicker shoots.
Answer 4: Law 14 does allow the goalkeeper to move along his goal line before a penalty kick is taken (i.e. 'the defending goalkeeper remains ON his goal line until the ball is kicked'). But there is no stipulation that states both feet must remain on the goal line. Although jumping slightly up and down on the goal line cannot be said to be 'remains ON his goal line'; because the goal line extends in a vertical plane upwards, as long as the goalkeeper does not leave the plane of his goal line (i.e. by coming into the field of play before the ball has been touched) common sense should be used, and the penalty kick should be allowed to proceeded.
Question 5a: Is it true that penalty takers are not allowed to stop their run, or hesitate once they have started moving forward to take the kick.
Answer 5a: If during the run-up, the penalty taker deliberately stops his run (no matter for how long) and then continues on to kick the ball, this should be seen as unsporting behaviour. The kicker is allowed to feint and conceal his intention from the goalkeeper but he must approach the ball in a single continuous movement. It is not allowed, for example, to fake a kick and then shoot in one direction after the keeper has jumped in another.If the ball does not enter the goal, the
referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the
defending team.
It is legal, if during the run-up, the penalty taker deliberately shimmies whilst continuously running forwards to kick the ball. A goal should be allowed if the ball enters the goal. The greatest asset a penalty takers has, is the ability to trick the goalkeeper into diving the wrong way. The penalty kicker should not therefore be penalised for trying to achieve this, so long as this in not done in an unsporting manner. The 'shimmy' whilst running forward, is no more illegal than the kicker looking to the left of the goal, and then shooting to the right !! The bottom line is that the momentum of the run up to the ball should be continuous. A "shimmy" is an American dance with much shaking of the hips and shoulders and perfectly describes the movement of some players as they approached the ball.
Players will always try and deceive the goalkeeper during their run up to the ball, as to the direction of the kicker's shot. This is quite normal, and is different to when a player deliberately stops his run in order for the goalkeeper to move one direction, before the kicker shoots in the opposite corner of the net - this again is contrary to the spirit of the game.
Question 5b: Can a penalty taker run up to the ball, and then suddenly turn around and back-heel the ball into the goal?
Answer 5b: No. Although by Law, the goalkeeper has to face the kicker, there is nothing to say that the kicker has to face the goalkeeper. But common sense dictates that he should do - else the whole idea of proper behaviour in Law 14 becomes a mockery. The sudden 'turning movement' is an unfair manoeuvre outside of the 'spirit of the game' and outside of what was expected during the taking pf a penalty kick.
Question 6: Which penal offence leading to the award of a penalty kick, is not committed against an opponent?
Answer 6: Hand ball.
Question 7: Does a penalty taker have to wait for the Referee's signal, or can he shoot whenever he's ready?
Answer 7: Yes: The penalty taker must await the Referee's signal before taking the penalty kick. Permission to commence will not be given until the Referee is satisfied:
(a) That all the players are properly in position for the penalty kick to be taken.
(b) That the ball is placed correctly on the penalty spot.
(c) That the penalty taker has clearly been identified the to the defending goalkeeper.
Question 8: Can the penalty taker move the ball slightly off the penalty mark (for example, to get it out of a muddy rut)?
Answer 8: As mentioned above in the "Position of the ball" section:
The ball should be placed exactly on the penalty mark, regardless of the state of the pitch. Moving the ball to a slightly different position, even with the apparent agreement of both teams should not be permitted. But I do believe in a modicum of common sense here: If Team 'A' are winning 10 - 0, and the losing Team 'B' is awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game - does it really matter if the penalty taker moves the ball a couple of inches to one side, because the penalty spot has disappeared under an inch of water.
Law 14 requires the ball to be placed "on the penalty mark". Referees will normally interpret this to mean that the bottom of the ball must be fully in contact with the mark itself. There are no stipulations as to the size of the mark. Law 1 states that "Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made....". This could be a cross, a circle, a spot, a square, a triangle, somebody's telephone number !!!!!. Some fields of play invariably do not have a mark at all, some have a dollop of mud to mark the spot, most can be identified by a slight hollow. Some slight movement of the ball during placement should be allowed, but the Referee's word is Law.
Question 9: If there's a huge puddle right where the penalty spot is, where should the ball be placed?
Answer 9: The Laws make no explicit provision or guidance to allow the Referee or the kicker to move the ball elsewhere than the prescribed penalty mark puddle (12yds/11m from the midpoint between the goal posts and equidistant to them). Even though the penalty spot is underwater, the player or the Referee is not officially allowed to place the ball elsewhere. One or two officious Referees may require the kicker to take the shot from the puddle, but generally, Referees will use common sense as to the exact positioning of the ball.
Advice: If the defending team moan because you (the Referee) had allowed the ball to be repositioned away from the penalty mark puddle. - just say to them:
" I would do the same if a your team was awarded a penalty kick" or
"What would you expect me to do if it was your team taking the penalty?"
................that usually shuts them up !
The majority of Referees believe in officiating within the proper spirit of the game, as it was intended be. Referees should consider the following points:
(a) As the penalty mark itself is likely to be obscured by the puddle, the Referee is the sole judge of determining exactly where the mark is, even though it may look off-centre or a little further from the goal than might be expected.
(b) The Referee may allow the kicker to take the kick from a dry spot slightly more than 12yds/11m away from the goal - in this case, should the other players retreat further outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from the new alternate spot?. The penalty arc and edge of the penalty area then become nearer than 10 yards, from the alternative mark.
Advice:- Do not lose any sleep over this - allow the players to stand according to a normal penalty kick. It would be impossible to monitor encroachment, if you asked the players to remain half a yard/metre further than the marked edge of the penalty area or half penalty circle. At the best, the players would only laugh at you; and at the worst, this would only confuse players and lead to dissent.
Whatever you (the Referee) decide - be prepared to live gracefully with your decision.
If an officious Referee insists on the ball being floated on the penalty mark puddle, the kicker's team could consider kicking the ball slightly forward and out of the puddle, to allow a team-mate to then enter the penalty area and hopefully 'bang' the ball towards goal before the defenders can react. This would be legal, and any goal scored would be allowed to stand.
Question 10: If after the Referee has signalled for a penalty to commence, the goalkeeper moves off his goal line before the ball has been kicked, what action should the Referee take?
Answer:
(a) If a goal is scored, the goal should be allowed to stand.
(b) If a goal is not scored, the penalty should be retaken.
Question 11: Must the ball be moved forwards during the taking of a penalty kick:
Answer 11: Yes. Law 14 states that " the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward" If the ball does not move forward, the the penalty must be retaken.
Question 12: During the taking of a penalty kick, a player mis-kicks the ball. The ball slightly rolls forward. The player kicks the ball a second time. What action should the Referee take?
Answer 12: The Referee should award an indirect free kick to the defending team.
Law 14 states that:
If, after the penalty kick has been taken:
The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player:
Question 13: If during the taking of a penalty kick, the kicker accidentally slips in the mud and inadvertently touches the ball forwards with his outstretched boot - should the Referee ask for the penalty kick to be retaken? For example, what happens if just as a penalty kicker moves forward to take the kick, he slips and falls down on the muddy ground, and moves the ball forward about a yard. Then one of his colleagues, who was positioned correctly at the commencement of the penalty kick, makes a run forward and scores a goal. Should the Referee allow the goal to stand or should he insist that the penalty kick must be retaken?
Answer 13: This is no different to accidents occurring whilst completing any other restart in the game. For example, slipping up whilst taking a throw-in; dropping a muddy ball whilst taking a throw-in; running into the corner flag during a corner kick; twisting an ankle whilst taking a free kick etc. Within the "spirit of the game" these accidental restarts should be retaken correctly. This is the way it has been done historically. If the Referee allows play to continue in these circumstances, the opposing team players will not be very happy, and the colleagues of the player taking the restart will be just as confused (by thinking to themselves "should they carry on playing or not?) This is different to when players make accidents whilst the ball is still in play, because both teams are on the look out for such occurrences - and this has always been an accepted part of the game. But accidents made whilst a restart is in progress will generate unfair confusion unless the Referee acts swiftly by immediately blowing the whistle to stop play.
If the penalty taker in the original question accidentally touches the ball, this would circumvent the 'spirit of the game'. And should the goal be allowed, this would be deemed as allowing the attacking team an unfair advantage because of the uncertainly of the defending players - this would be totally wrong. It would also be unfair for the penalty outcome to depend on which team (the defending team or the attacking team) were the quickest to react in reaching the ball after it was accidentally kicked forwards. This is not how the outcome of a penalty kick should be decided.
The Referee should ask for the restarts to be retaken in all accidental instances.
Question 14: What action should the Referee take if the penalty spot has not been marked or has been erased?
Answer 14: This depends somewhat on the level and importance of the game being played. If this is a local 'Park' level game on a Sunday morning, it is not beyond a normal Referee's capabilities to stride out the distance should a penalty be awarded in the game. The Referee can identify the centre of the goal as best as he can under such circumstances.
On the other hand, if this is a higher level, more important game, it is assumed that the Referee would already have carried out a detailed pitch inspection, and requested that the penalty mark be reinstated before play can commence. If the penalty mark disappears during the game itself, then the Referee can ask officials to remark the spot, but I would advise against this (as this may lead to you - the Referee - being ridiculed) . Again, it is not beyond a normal Referee's capabilities to stride out the distance should a penalty be awarded in the game. The ultimate aim, is to allow the game to continue quickly. You (the Referee) should grasp responsibility for deciding where the ball should be placed - and not allow anyone else to decide for you !
Question 15: During the taking of a penalty kick, the kicker scuffs the ball that dribbles towards the goal. There is not enough motion for the ball to reach the goal line. Immediately after the kicker had kicked the ball, a dog has run onto the field of play and decides to bite the moving ball. What action should the Referee take?
Answer 15: Even though the ball would not have reached the goal line, Law 12 stipulates that:
" The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:
The Referee should order that the penalty be retaken, albeit that this gives the attacking team another (unfair) chance to score a goal.
Question 16: Before a penalty kick is taken, the kicking team ask the Referee for a substitution to be made, to allow them to bring on their 'ace' penalty taker, who just happens to be a named substitute. Can the Referee allow the 'ace' substitute to replace a colleague, and can that 'ace' substitute then take the penalty kick?
Answer 16: A substitution can be made at any time during a game. Providing that the kicker's team have not already use up all their substitute quota, the substitution can be made. Once legally on the field of play, the 'ace' substitute (or any other team member) can then take the penalty kick. (He'll probably miss anyway !)
Question 17: If during the taking of a penalty kick, the goalkeeper parries the ball onto the crossbar (or onto the upright, or the ball deflects back off the goalkeeper into play), is the ball dead?
Answer 17: No, the ball is deemed to be still in play, so long as no infringement has occurred during the taking of the penalty.
The only exception to this is when play has been 'extended' at the end of a half:
Law 14 provides states that:
"Additional "extended" time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time. As soon as a goal has been scored in "extended" time, the half is over."
The primary difference between a penalty taken in the normal course of a game, and a penalty taken in 'extended' time, is that the half ends as soon as the 'extended' time penalty has been taken. (In other words, as soon as it is obvious that either the ball has legally entered the goal, or that the ball is not going to enter the goal as a direct result of the correctly taken penalty).
Before 1997, the Laws stated that in 'extended' time, the ball would be deemed dead as soon as it rebounded from the crossbar, goal post or the goalkeeper. This ruling no longer applies. Law 14 now states that a goal is awarded if:
But see my question no. 1 above ????
Question 18: Can a player taking a penalty, pass to a colleague instead of shooting directly at goal?
Answer 18: Yes, providing that the ball is kicked and moves forward, and the colleague was in the correct starting position before the penalty kick took place. The Laws state that that the ball must be kicked and moved forward, and that the penalty taker must not touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player.
In some cases a pass may actually be the penalty taker's best option (for surprise value, or when the penalty mark is under a puddle or inside a muddy hollow.)
Question 19: From Mark Flexhaug: Calgary Minor Soccer Association: http://members.home.net/cmsa/ from Calgary, Alberta: 7 August 2000.
Let's say that a defender commits a penal offence (tripping) inside their penalty area. What is the proper sequence of signals to indicate that a penalty kick is to be taken? I have seen it done a couple of different ways?Answer 19: Firstly, if the trip was committed when the ball is out of play (for instance, if the ball had travelled over the goal line and was out of play when the trip occurred) then the result is a goal kick to the defending side. And a possible caution for unsporting behaviour, to the offender.
If the ball was still in play when the trip is committed, then the sequence of events should be as follows:
A lot more signals than you expected eh!!!!!! Nonetheless, the procedure is very simple,
and becomes automatic when done a few times. And it works!!!!!!!!
Question 20: A penalty kick is awarded to the Red Team and all of the players are legally positioned. The penalty kicker has been properly identified, and the defending goalkeeper is ready on his line waiting for the penalty to take place. The Referee blows his whistle for the penalty kick to be taken. As the kick is taken an over-zealous photographer runs on to the field of play in an attempt to take a ‘close-up’ photograph, but inadvertently stops the ball from entering the goal. The ball has not touched the goalkeeper, crossbar, or either of the goal posts. The penalty kicker from team Red loses his temper and becomes very angry. He runs up to the photographer and punches the photographer, in the face, knocking him unconscious to the ground. What action should the Referee take and how should the game be restarted?
Answer 20: Infringements before a penalty kick takes place may be committed by the kicker, the goalkeeper or by the kicker's team-mates, or the defending team. Infringements after the penalty kick has been taken may also be committed by an outside agent. In this case, the infringement of illegally stopping the ball whilst it was in actually in play immediately after the taking of the penalty kick, was committed by an outside agent - the photographer.
The Laws state that if the ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward, the penalty kick must be retaken: (An outside agent can be a dog, another person/spectator, overhead wires or trees, a photographer! another ball from the adjacent pitch - in short, an outside agent is any person, animal or thing that intrudes itself illegally onto the field of play.) Luckily, occurrences of interference by outside agents are rare, but when they do occur, the Referee should be prepared to take the correct action. The Referee must ensure that the outside agent is safely removed before the kick can be retaken.
The correct action to be taken by the Referee in this sequence of events is as follows.
Question 21: When a player takes a penalty kick and the ball rebounds back into the field of
play from a goal post or crossbar, is the same player allowed to put the rebound in.
If not what decision should be taken?
Answer 21: No.
Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) states:
Procedure:
If the penalty taker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.
end of Law 14 Procedure
So in this question, if the ball rebounds back into the field of play off the crossbar (and/or the goal posts) the ball is still in play, but the penalty taker is not allowed to touch it a second time until it has been touched by another player. If a goal is scored after he has touched it a second time - then the goal does not count. If the penalty taker does touch the ball a second time, then an indirect free kick should be awarded to the defending team. The free kick should be taken at the place where the penalty taker touched the ball a second time. If this was in the goal area, then the defending team can take the indirect free kick from anywhere within their goal area.
Question 22: As an attacking player runs up to take a penalty kick, he feints as if to shoot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal, but instead, he taps the ball slightly forward to the left. An attacking colleague who enters the penalty area just after the ball has been touched and moved forward by his attacking colleague (the penalty taker), gains possession of the ball and dribbles it into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Prior the penalty kick being taken, a defending player encroaches into the penalty area before the ball has been touched by the penalty kick taker. Should the goal be allowed to stand?
Answer 22: If a player from the defending team infringes
(e.g. encroaches into the penalty area) before the ball has been touched and moves
forward, an unsuccessful penalty must be retaken; but a successful penalty will be allowed
to stand. Therefore, when the defending player infringed by entering the penalty area
before the ball was kicked, the Referee rightly allowed the kick to take place (as he did
in this case).
The successful goal must stand so long as no infringement by an attacking team player
occurred.
The team taking the kick did not infringe any of the Laws.
A penalty kick taker is allowed to feint in his run-up to take the penalty kick. For
example - if during the run-up, the penalty taker deliberately shimmies whilst still
running forward to kick the ball - the penalty should be allowed to continue. A goal
should be allowed if the ball enters the goal. The greatest asset a penalty takers has, is
the ability to 'trick' the goalkeeper into diving the wrong way. The penalty kicker should
not therefore be penalised for trying to achieve this by making a feint, so long as this
in not done in an unsporting manner. The 'shimmy' whilst running forward, is no more
illegal than the kicker looking to the left of the goal, and then shooting to the right !!
Players will always try and deceive the goalkeeper during their run up to the ball, as to
the direction of the kicker's shot. This is quite normal, and is different to when a
player deliberately stops his run, and restarts his run-up, in order for the goalkeeper to
move one direction, before the kicker shoots in the opposite corner of the net - this is
contrary to the spirit of the game, and any goal should not be allowed. The momentum of
the penalty taker's run-up must be continual and can include shimmies and feints! But it
must not stop and start.
As the eventual goal-scorer of the goal was outside of the penalty area and in the correct
position before the actual penalty kick took place, he (along with any other properly
positioned player) are allowed to enter the penalty area once the ball has been touched
and moved forward by the penalty kick taker. As soon as the ball is touched and moves
forwards, the ball becomes in play, the same as it does in any other kick restart. The
attacking team-mate who scores the goal has just as much right to touch the ball as any
other player. In other words, the penalty kick taker is within his rights to touch the
ball slightly forward, and let a legal colleague run up and score. I have seen this done
once in our English game many years ago. I think it was Rodney Marsh - but it was a long
time ago. It is a perfectly legal move, allowed within the Laws.
Question 23: Can a player taking a penalty-kick back-heel the ball to a colleague, who goes on to score a goal.? Should the goal be allowed?
Answer 23: No. The ball must he played forward. The referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick
to the defending team at the penalty mark. This would be considered to be an infringement of the procedure in Law 14.
Question 24. The goalkeeper in his own penalty area, lunges headfirst at the legs of an opponent who has the ball, catches the ball with the hands and with a raised leg strikes the attacker (in a non-violent manner). How should referee decide?
Answer 24. Assuming that the goalkeeper made contact with the ball before
contacting the attacking player, the Referee must judge whether this manoeuvre
was;
(a) an acceptable physical challenge and the raised leg was accidental (play to
continue):
(b) dangerous play because of a raised leg (an indirect free kick to the
attacking team);
(c) charging using excess force (a sending-off for the goalkeeper and a penalty
kick to the attacking team).
(d) reckless challenge - if the goalkeeper makes contact with the player before he catches the ball (a caution to the goalkeeper and a penalty kick to the attacking team).
Question 25: An attacking player with the ball in his possession, goes around the goalkeeper to his left in the penalty area. The attacking player is now slightly ahead of the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper dives towards the ball and grabs it with both hands. However, the ball was right at the attacker's feet and not in front of him, so when the goalkeeper grasps the ball, he trips up the attacker at exactly the same time. I couldn't see how the goalkeeper could have gained control of the ball without putting his arm in front of the attacker's legs, and thus bring him down unfairly, and so, I (the Referee) awarded a penalty. If the ball had been a metre in front of the attacking player, and the goalkeeper had gathered it by diving, and the striker had followed on and fallen over the goal keeper I would not have given the penalty. Was I right?
Answer 25: It is worth looking up the Law 12 direct free kick offence that states that it is an offence when a player "tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball."
In the original question, even though the goalkeeper uses his hands and not his feet, he still tackles the attacking player. If you use the simple Law 12 criteria above, the next time you come across a similar incident, if whilst attempting the tackle, the goalkeeper touches the attacking player before making contact with the ball, (and therefore fouls the player) then the result is a penalty kick. If the goalkeeper makes contact with the ball before he contacts the opponent, then as long as the challenge was not committed with excess force, it is a legal challenge.
Question 26: When a player is taking a penalty kick, does he/she have to restrict the length of their run-up so that they remain inside the penalty area at all times whilst the penalty kick takes place? Or are they allowed to begin their run from outside of the penalty area?
Answer 26: The penalty kick was introduced into the Laws in 1891 after a proposal by the Irish FA. The original ruling was that the penalty kick should be taken from any point 12 yards from the goal line. All of the players (except the player taking the penalty kick and the goalkeeper who should not advance more than 6 yards from the goal line) shall stand at least six yards from the ball. It was not until 1920, that the rectangular (instead of two semicircular) goal areas arrived, and with them, the penalty area of modern dimensions and shape to fix the penalty spot. The penalty area arc was introduced in 1937. In 1938, a stipulation was brought in to limit the width of the lines to 5 inches, and to include the lines themselves as being part of the penalty area. In other words, it is the outside edge of each marking which is the true line, e.g. the penalty area is 44 yards in width, not 44 yards and two markings.
There has never been any stipulation that the run-up of the player taking the penalty kick is limited in any way. They are therefore allowed to begin their run from outside of the penalty area.
Question 27: If a player takes a penalty-kick before the Referee has signalled, what action should the Referee take?
Answer 27: (FIFA). The kick must be retaken. The player shall be cautioned only if he takes the penalty-kick again without awaiting the Referee's signal
Question 28: What should the Referee do if, he has given a signal to start the penalty kick, but before the ball is kicked, a colleague of the player taking the kick encroaches into the penalty-area and the Referee notices the offence but allows the kick to be taken and the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, cross-bar or goal-posts to the player who has encroached and this player sends the ball into goal?
Answer 28: The Referee shall disallow the goal and restart the game with an indirect free-kick.
Question 29: A penalty-kick is being taken and all the players are in correct positions. The Referee gives the signal but an attacking player punches a defender whom he encounters outside the penalty area. The Referee notices the incident. What action should he take?
Answer 29: (FIFA). The referee allows the kick to proceed. If the ball enters the goal, the
kick is retaken. If the ball does not enter the goal, the referee stops play and restarts
the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team from the
place where the infringement occurred and sends off the player for violent conduct.
Question 30: Do you agree with me, that it matters not a
jot where the ball is in relation to the players when a foul is committed in the penalty
area? So often you hear so called experts saying that a penalty shouldn't be awarded
because the ball was running out of play, or the player had lost control.
Answer 30: A penalty can only be awarded if the ball is in play. That’s the first thing.
Secondly, as you say, it does not matter a jot where the ball is when the penalty offence is committed – so long as it is in play.
Only the other day, I gave a penalty under such circumstances. The ball was cleared up field from the penalty area, and as all good Referees, we do not instantly follow the ball if we believe that an incident is about to happen – I therefore kept my ‘beads’ on the tussling players in the penalty area. And lo and behold, the defender decides to measure the circumference of the attacker’s neck with his hands, before disposing him in a heap on the floor. Nice one. And I had seen it. Even better nice one! Loud whistle. Play stopped. Players looking at me quizzically because I was pointing to the penalty spot whilst the ball was somewhere near the halfway line.
"You can’t give a penalty Ref! The ball’s miles away".
"Oh yes I can"
and I did!
Question 31: When and where was the 'penalty kick' invented?
Answer 31: William McCrum (He was, ironically, a goalkeeper, but obviously one with a towering sense of fair play) introduced the dead ball decider in 1890. About 3 miles out of the city of Armagh in the County of Armagh Northern Ireland in the village of Milford - the original name of the club was Milford Everton F.C. The original William Street site was called the Holm and it had two claims to fame. One, it was the first venue for Irish League football outside of Belfast with Glentoran defeating a Milford team 8-0 in an Irish League match in 1890, and later the penalty kick was invented on the pitch.
Question 32: When a player commits an offence leading to a penalty kick being awarded - does the award of a penalty against the player cancel out the need for a caution to be given to the offending player?
Answer 32: Certainly not - the Referee should consider each case on its merits. If the foul was innocuous, the Referee may decide not to caution the player (or maybe just have a quiet word with him). Fouls of a greater degree will need to be punished as they would normally be, when occurring on any part of the field of play. Just because the foul occurred inside the penalty area, and leads to a penalty - this should not effect whether the Referee should caution a player or not. It is the nature of the offence, and not necessarily the position or punishment of the offence that merits a caution.
Question 33: Just before the Referee is about to signal for the taking of a penalty kick, there is a skirmish on the edge of the penalty area. The Referee makes his way over to deal with the trouble. Whilst he is talking to the misbehaving players and calming them down, the goalkeeper has not yet positioned himself on this goal line, but is tapping his boots on the base of one of the goal posts. The goalkeeper then slowly walks across his goalmouth and does the same on the base of the other goal post. By this time, the Referee is repositioning himself and blows his whistle for the taking of the penalty kick to start. But he spots the goalkeeper who is still tapping his boots on the base of the goalpost. The Referee quickly blows his whistle again to prevent the penalty kick from taking place. What action should the Referee take?
Answer 33: Because the goalkeeper had not actually taken up
his position on the goal line in readiness for the penalty kick to take place – if a
goal were scored, it should be disallowed, and the penalty kick retaken.
Why? Because Law 14 states that the goalkeeper must REMAIN on his goal line.
In this case, the goalkeeper could not ‘REMAIN’ on his goal line, because he was
never there in the first place.
Had he originally placed himself on the goal line, and then moved off of it to do his
‘time-wasting shenanigans’ and a goal was scored after the Referee had signalled
for the penalty kick to commence – it should be allowed to count. The goalkeeper
should be cautioned for unsporting behaviour for his act of gamesmanship. It is very
important for the Referee to ensure that both the goalkeeper and the taker of the penalty
kick are ready and in the correct positions before signalling for the penalty kick to
commence.
Question 34: A defender starts holding an
attacker outside the penalty area but finishes inside the penalty area. What
action should the referee take?
Answer 34: He would award a penalty kick. (Source - FIFA Questions & Answers
Law 12 Q38 here.)
(Note from the WebMaster): An actual infringement of holding may continue in
time for several seconds. The foul does not necessarily occur solely at its
commencement, or solely at the end of the holding period. In other words, the
holding infringement happens over the whole period of the shirt holding and over
the distance travelled by the players whilst the holding continues. Holding (or
shirt pulling) is a direct free kick offence. In the FIFA Law 12 question No. 38
above, the holding offence is continuously committed in sequence, both initially
outside of the penalty area, and finally inside of the penalty area. Therefore,
a direct free kick (or penalty kick) could be awarded anywhere along the
trajectory path that the offence continued to be committed.
To keep within the ‘Spirit of the Game/Laws’, and to encourage more goals in accordance with modern IFAB/FIFA philosophy, the Referee should award the direct free kick/penalty in the position that is the most advantageous to the team that was fouled. In other words, when the holding begins outside of the penalty area, the Referee can apply advantage to the attacking team. If the player, who is doing the holding, continues to hold his opponent, and the opponent then enters the penalty area, then it is more advantageous to award a penalty kick to the attacking team, rather than a direct free kick outside of the penalty area. Conversely, if the holding begins INSIDE the penalty area and the players then travel OUTSIDE of the penalty area, the advantageous result is the same - a penalty kick.
Question 35: Time at the end of a match is extended to allow a penalty kick. Player 'A' takes the penalty kick. The ball goes towards the net, hits the goal post and rolls along the goal line. As the ball is still rolling along the goal line, Player 'A' runs up to the ball and kicks it into the net. What should the Referee do?
Answer 35: The Referee must wait until the ball's flight is finished and, if it passes entirely over the-goal-line, between the goal posts and beneath the crossbar, he shall allow the goal and terminate the extended time, if applicable. The ‘Additional Time’ (also known as ‘extended time’) is there to allow ONLY for the taking of the penalty kick. No additional or further action is allowed. The penalty kick taker is not allowed to touch the ball a second time during "Additional Time". If the penalty kick taker touches the ball a second time, the half (or the end of game) ceases at the precise moment that he touches the ball a second time (and any goal scored is not allowed.) The idea of allowing ‘Additional Time’ is to give just enough time for the penalty kick to take place. "Additional Time" is NOT meant to end ONLY when the ball goes out of play.
Question 36: During the taking of a penalty kick, the goalkeeper may move from side to side along his goal line between the goal posts, but he may not move off the goal line until the ball has been kicked into play. Is he allowed to go backwards off his goal line into the area under the goal net?
Answer 36: It would be
the impossible for the Referee to make a decision based on the distance a
goalkeeper is away from his goal line.
For example, when should he NOT disallow the goal. When the goalkeeper is
10cm away from his goal line, 20cm away, 50cms or 1 metre away? It would not
work.
Hence 'Law 14 - The Penalty Kick' says the goalkeeper must stay "on
his goal line".
So it's the same both ways (forwards or backwards) and makes like much
easier for the Referee. The goalkeeper must stay on his goal line.
Question 37: What action should the Referee take, if the goalkeeper does a handstand on his goal line, in readiness for a penalty kick. He saves the ball from entering the goal with his shins which are somewhat near the crossbar, and the ball goes out for a corner?
Answer 37: Assuming that the goalkeeper's hands
remain on the goal line prior to the penalty kick taking place, and he doesn't
advance before the ball is kicked - no infringement of the Laws has occurred.
The Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) says that the goalkeeper must 'remain on his goal
line facing the kicker". It says nothing about "standing" on the
line. So as long as the goalkeeper is facing the kicker whilst he is upside down
on his hands, then (theoretically) the Referee should allow the penalty kick to
proceed and award a corner if the keeper deflects the ball over the goal line.
Question 38: If during a penalty the goalkeeper
leans on the goal post, does the Referees have any power to make the goalkeeper
get off the post?
Answer 38: Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) is not specific in describing every scenario that the goalkeeper could possibly take without actually infringing the Law - (for example - standing in his hands: lying along the goal line: kneeling along the goal line: doing the splits along the goal line; standing on his head! etc). The principle of the goalkeepers stance, is that he should stand on his feet on the goal line somewhere between the goalposts. An astute Referee will have a quiet word with any goalkeeper who takes up a different position prior to the penalty kick taking place. So the answer to the question is - is that a Referee has no power as far as pure Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) and Law 5 (The Referees Powers and Duties) are concerned. But the Referee does have a hidden agenda (the Spirit of the Game) to ensure that the contest does not slip into the realms of the ridiculous.
Question 39: During a penalty kick, all the players take up their correct positions.
The Referee loudly shouts:" On my whistle, the ball is not in play until moved forward".
But before the whistle occurs (or anything else
that might be considered a signal), the penalty taker kicks the ball outside the
net and over the goal line. What action should the Referee take?
Answer 39: Law 14 states that the Referee "decides when a penalty kick has been completed".
I this case, as the Referee had already explained to the players not to proceed with the kick until his whistle signal - the penalty kick should be retaken irrespective of the outcome. There is no need for the Referee to say, " the ball is not in play until moved forward."
Question 40: A player leaves the field of play with the Referee's permission to receive treatment for an injury, which occurred when Referee awarded penalty kick for this player's team. Just before a penalty kick is about to be taken, the injured (recovered) player (who is a brilliant penalty taker!) calls the Referee and wants to enter the field of play to take a penalty kick. What should the Referee do now?
Answer 40: Referring to the latest method that
Referees use in dealing with injuries, and in accordance with the Law 5
stipulation that "an injured player may only return to the field of play
after the match has restarted." - this player is not eligible to take the
penalty kick. In the situation of the penalty kick, play is restarted when the
ball is kicked and moves forwards. Therefore, the injured player should not be
allowed to enter the field of play until play has been restarted (i.e. the
penalty kick has taken place) and on the Referee's signal.
This would be no different, if instead of a penalty kick, a free kick is
awarded. This happens many times during games. An injured player who has left
the field, is never allowed to come back on to take the free kick - so the
penalty scenario should be no different.
Question 41: Once a Referee has given a penalty, is he obliged to to blow the whistle before the penalty kick is taken? I saw an incident last week where the Referee never blew his whistle; the player scored a goal, and the Referee awarded it. Is the Referee right or wrong?
Answer 41: Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) states that the Referee does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Laws.
Therefore, the Referee should make a signal of some sort, for the penalty kick to commence. But whilst a signal can be an oral instruction or a wave forward of an arm, the general method is by using a clear whistle signal.
So it could have been possible (but not necessarily good practise) for the Referee to have given a non-whistle signal, and still be correct in Law!
Question 42: During the taking of a penalty kick, a colleague of the penalty kick taker, encroaches after the referee has signalled, but before the ball has been kicked. The ball goes out for a goal kick. Should the referee award a goal kick, or an indirect free kick in accordance with Law 14?
Answer 42: Law
14 states: A team-mate of the player taking the kick infringes the Laws of the
Game:
If the ball does not enter the goal, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick,
from the place where the infringement occurred, to the defending team.
The Referee should always award an indirect free kick as Law 14 clearly
stipulates this above.
If you start factoring in 'awarding a goal kick', if the ball goes over the goal line but not into the goal, what would you give if the goalkeeper touches the ball and it goes out for a corner kick, or even a throw-in?
I'm always one for making life easier for referees and not more difficult ;-)
The advantage to be gained by awarding a goal kick is so minimal that it hardly makes any difference.
Award an indirect free kick every time, and you can never go wrong.
Question 43: Does the penalty spot have a particular size or dimension?
Answer. No, there is no size stipulated in the current Laws, but a 9 inch dimension has been mentioned in the past.
The 9 inch dimension has never been specified with regards to the penalty spot in the Laws, but there is a clue to its origin. Way back in the 1956 FA Referees' Chart, the Preface refers to the inclusion of "interpretations of the laws, made from time to time by the Referees' Committee of FIFA...and published for the first time as 'International Board Decisions' ". Within the 'International Board Decisions' on page 4 of the 1956 Referees' Chart, a table of metric equivalents of Imperial measurements was first introduced. But it was not until 1975-1976 season, before the '9 inches = 0.22 metres' measurement appeared in the equivalents table. There was no reference why this 9 inch measurement was included, so it must be assumed that it referred to the dimension of the penalty spot (and possibly the centre mark as well); for there is no other field measurement that could be 9 inches on the field of play. The equivalents table (which included the 9 inch reference), remained in the Law book until it was taken out completely, when the Laws were completely re-written for season 1997-1998.
The inclusion of the equivalents
measurement table, suggests that, before 1956, the FIFA Referees' Committee published various interpretations of the laws - to guide non-UK countries - including its version of the field diagram. At some time up to
1975-1976 it was decided to put a size to the penalty mark, which equated to the
9 inch diameter of the ball (logical), but without proposing it to the IFAB to be
accepted formally as Law. Some non-UK Law books of 1973 show a 9inch diameter penalty
'spot'.
Although 'Penalty mark' is the formal law description, it has left the door open to the use of a short
line. As the original penalty-kick reference was a line so there is logic in that too. However, for
many years, it was a 'Penalty spot' in FA charts and accepted as such.
(Thank you to Stanley Lover for his help in researching this topic).
This is the end of this Penalty Kick page.
