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Soccer Law 14
Penalty Kick

The Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded against a team that commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play.

A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.

Additional 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.

Position of the Ball and the Players

The ball:

• is placed on the penalty mark.

The player taking the penalty kick:

• is properly identified.

The defending goalkeeper:

• remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked.

The players other than the kicker are located:

• inside the field of play;
• outside the penalty area;
• behind the penalty mark;
• at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the penalty mark.

The Referee

Does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law;

Decides when a penalty kick has been completed.

Procedure

The player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward.

He does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player.

The ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward.

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 goalposts and under the crossbar:

• the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper.

Infringements/Sanctions

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:

The player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game:

• 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.

The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game:

• the referee allows the kick to proceed.
• if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded.
• if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken.

A team-mate of the player taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark:

• 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.
• if the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalpost and is touched by this player, the referee stops play and restarts the match with an indirect free kick to the defending team.

A team-mate of the goalkeeper enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark:

• the referee allows the kick to proceed.
• if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded.
• if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken.

A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game:

• the kick is retaken

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:

• an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player:

• a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.

The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward:

• the kick is retaken.

The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent:

• the referee stops play;
• play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where it touched the outside agent.

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.

The Technical Area

Only one person at a time is authorized to convey tactical instructions and he must return to his position after giving these instructions.

Liquid Refreshments

Players are entitled to take liquid refreshments during a stoppage in the match but only on the touchline. It is not permitted to throw plastic water bags or any water containers onto the field.

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