Players taking up positions prior to a penalty kick; note that the goalkeeper is not yet in the required position

A penalty kick is a type of free kick in association football (soccer), taken from twelve yards (eleven metres) out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal. Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1696 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1696 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... In typical game play, players attempt to move towards a goal through individual control of the ball, such as by dribbling (running with the ball close to their feet); by passing the ball from team-mate to team-mate; and by taking shots at the goal. ... A goalkeeper leaves his feet to parry a shot on goal In many team sports, a goalkeeper (termed goaltender in some sports) is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal. ...

Award

A penalty kick may be awarded when a defending player commits a foul punishable by a direct free kick (a so-called penal foul) against an opponent, within their own penalty area (commonly known as "the box", "18 yard box" or "16 metre box"). Note that it is the location of the offence — and not the position of the ball — that defines whether a foul is punishable by a penalty kick or direct free kick, provided the ball is in play. A direct free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football (soccer) following a foul. ... The penalty area (colloquiallly also known as the 18-yard box or penalty box), is an area of an association football (soccer) field. ...

Procedure

The penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark, which is a midline spot 12 yards (11 metres) from the goal. The penalty kick taker must be clearly identified to the referee. A player is cautioned by the referee A referee presides over a game of association football (soccer). ...

All players other than the defending goalkeeper and the penalty taker must be outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, and at least ten yards from the ball (i.e. outside the penalty arc) until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must remain between the goalposts on the goal-line facing the ball until the ball is kicked, but may move from side to side along the goal-line.

After the referee signals for the kick to be taken, the kicker must kick the ball in a forward direction (not necessarily at the goal, however this is almost always the case). The ball is in play once it has been kicked and moved, and from this point other players may enter the penalty area and play continues as normal, however most often a goal has already been scored.

The penalty kick is a form of direct free kick, meaning that a goal may be scored directly from it. If a goal is not scored, play continues as usual. As with all free kicks, the kicker may not play the ball a second time, until it has been touched by another player, even after a rebound from the posts. However, a penalty kick is unusual in that, unlike general play, external interference directly after the kick has been taken may result in the kick being retaken (rather than the usual dropped-ball). A dropped-ball (or drop-ball) is a method of restarting play in a game of association football (soccer). ...

Infringements

Infractions of the penalty kick law (goalkeeper forward movement, encroaching into forbidden areas) by either team are dealt with using an advantage concept.

Generally:

• For infractions by the defending team, should a goal be scored it stands, otherwise the kick is retaken.
• For infractions by the kicking team, should a goal be scored the kick is retaken, otherwise an indirect free kick is awarded against his side.
• For infractions by both teams, the kick is retaken.
• If the kicker plays the ball twice (including following up a rebound off the goalpost not touched by the goalkeeper), an indirect free kick is awarded against his side, as is usual for free kicks.

The referee may also caution (yellow card) players for infringements of the penalty kick law, e.g. repeated encroaching into the penalty area. Note that in practice, most minor penalty kick infractions are not penalised. An indirect free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football (soccer). ... An indirect free kick is a method of restarting play in a game of association football (soccer). ...

Other offences that occur during a penalty kick are dealt with in the usual way.

History

The invention of the penalty kick is credited to the goalkeeper and businessman William McCrum in 1890 in Milford, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The Irish Football Association presented the idea to the International Football Association Board and finally after much debate, the board approved the idea on 2 June 1891. It was introduced in the 1891-92 season. 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Milford in County Armagh, Northern Ireland grew up around the linen mill owned by the McCrum family in the nineteenth century. ... Royal motto: Quis separabit (Latin: Who will separate?) Northern Irelands location within the UK Official languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Area  - Total Ranked 4th 13,843 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 4th 1,685,267 122/km² NUTS 1... The Irish Football Association (IFA) is the organising body for the sport of football (soccer) in Northern Ireland. ... The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football (soccer). ... 2 June is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1891 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1892 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

External links

• FIFA article on the history of the penalty kick