Soccer by the Rules – Penalty Kick By Joe Manjone, Ed. D.

Rule 14-1-1 directs that “a penalty kick shall be awarded when a foul which ordinarily results in the awarding of a direct free kick, occurs within the offending team’s penalty area.”

• A direct kick foul by a defender that you call outside the penalty area should be called the same way inside the penalty area.  Do not hesitate to make the call because it is in the penalty area. By not making the call, you are taking a scoring opportunity away from the attacking team.

Rule 14-1-2 tells us that , “All players except the kicker and the opposing goalkeeper shall be within the field of play but outside the penalty area and at least 10 yards from and behind the penalty mark until the ball is kicked.”

• Make certain that all players except the kicker and keeper are behind the penalty mark and outside the penalty areas until the ball is kicked.  Get players whose feet are touching the penalty area line to back off before the whistle is blown.  Watch for players touching the penalty area line or crossing the line after the whistle is blown and the ball is kicked.  These are considered encroachment violations and can be by either the attacking or defending team.
• The kicker and goalkeeper are to be inside the penalty area at the time of the whistle to start play.

Rule 14-1-3 requires that, “The opposing goalkeeper shall stand on the goal line, between the goal posts, until the ball is kicked. Lateral movement is allowed, but the goalkeeper is not permitted to come off the line by stepping or lunging forward until the ball is in play.

• The assistant referee or the side referee needs to make this call.  They are in position to see if the goalkeeper steps or lunges forward before the ball is kicked. After the ball is kicked, forward movement is permitted.

Penalties for 14-1-2 and 14-1-3 vary depending on the team committing the violation and if the goal is scored.

• An infringement by the defending team (encroachment or the goalkeeper moving forward). is not penalized if  the goal is scored, but requires a re-kick if the goal is not scored.
• If there is encroachment by the attacking team and the ball enters the goal, the kick shall be retaken.  If the ball rebounds into play or is deflected out of bounds, an indirect kick is awarded to the defending team at the spot of the encroachment. If the ball is saved and held by the goalkeeper, play shall continue.
• If both teams commit infringements, the kick is to be retaken regardless of the outcome of the first kick.

14-1-4 controls the action of the kicker and indicates that,” the ball shall be kicked while it is stationary on the ground from the spot or any place on the penalty mark. To be in play, the ball shall be moved forward. Once the kicker starts his/her approach toward the ball, he/she may not interrupt his/her movement. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a re-kick.

• Allow the kicker to place the ball on the spot or penalty mark but make certain that part of the ball is touching or over the sport or mark.
• The ball must move forward. It cannot be kicked backward or to the side. It must move in front of the plane of the penalty mark or spot. A ball could just be touched and move forward slightly, but if that happens, the kicker cannot touch or kick it a second time unless another player touches the ball. If the kicker kicks the ball a second time before it touches another player, the defending team is to be awarded an indirect kick from the spot of the second kick. (see 14-1-5)
• The kicker cannot interrupt his/her movement toward the ball. He/she cannot stop and restart or turn and kick the ball backwards. If the ball is not kicked properly, a re-kick is taken.  If the kicker continues to improperly kick the ball, a caution for delay should be given and the kicker shall leave the field.

14-1-5 governs the kick and indicates that, “After the penalty kick is properly taken, the ball may be played by any player except the one who executed the penalty kick.  The kicker may not play the ball until it has been touched or played by another player on either team.

• As indicated above a ball that is played by the kicker a second time before it touches another player results in an indirect kick for the defending team.

14-1-6 covers a penalty kick taken after time has expired.

• If the ball touches the goalkeeper before passing between the goal posts when a penalty kick is taken at or after the expiration of time, the goal will count.
• If a penalty kick foul occurs just before the expiration of time, play may be extended so that the penalty kick may be taken.
• When play is extended the kicker may play the ball only one time, the ball is in play until its momentum is spent, it goes out of bounds, or is retouched by the kicker or another player other than the goalkeeper.

Follow the above procedures in every high school game you work, make certain your partners do the same. Remember, if you call a direct kick foul against the defending team outside the penalty area, you need to call the same foul in the penalty area even though it results in a penalty kick.  By not calling this foul in the penalty area, you are preventing the attacking team from a goal scoring opportunity.

If you would like to suggest a high school soccer rules change or if you have any questions about this rule or any high school rule, please e-mail me at [email protected]