A penalty kick in soccer is a direct free shot at goal taken from the penalty spot, 12 yards (11 meters) from the goal line, with only the defending goalkeeper allowed to stop it. It is the game’s most valuable single opportunity, awarded when a defending team commits a direct-free-kick foul inside its own penalty area. Because the kicker faces just the goalkeeper from close range, penalties are converted at a high rate, which is why they so often decide tight matches.
When is a penalty kick awarded?
Under Law 14 of the Laws of the Game, maintained by IFAB, a penalty is given when a player commits a foul punishable by a direct free kick inside their own penalty area while the ball is in play. Typical examples include tripping, pushing, holding, or a handball offense by a defender. The location of the foul, not where the ball is, determines the call: if the offense happens inside the area, the restart is a penalty.
The penalty area is the large box measuring 18 yards from each goalpost and 18 yards out from the goal line. Fouls just outside that box result in a regular direct free kick instead, which is far harder to score from.
Where the ball and players must be
The ball is placed on the penalty mark, and the kicker must be clearly identified. When the kick is taken, every player other than the kicker and the goalkeeper must be:
- Inside the field of play,
- Outside the penalty area,
- Behind the penalty mark, and
- At least 10 yards (9.15 m) from the mark, which is why the field has a curved arc at the top of the box.
The goalkeeper stays on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the posts. When the ball is kicked, the keeper must have at least part of one foot touching, in line with, or behind the goal line. This 2019 clarification lets the goalkeeper move laterally but stops them charging forward before contact.
How the kick is taken
The kicker must strike the ball forward, and may use a stutter or paused run-up, but is not allowed to feint after completing the run-up, which is an offense. The ball is in play the moment it is kicked and clearly moves. Crucially, the kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it. That rule makes the classic pass-to-yourself penalty legal only if a teammate reaches the rebound first, not the original kicker.
Technique varies, but the choice is usually between power and placement. A firmly struck shot into a corner is hard to reach even if the goalkeeper guesses correctly, while a placed side-foot shot trades some power for accuracy. Many kickers also try to read or wait out the goalkeeper, delaying the strike to see which way the keeper commits. Because the shooter starts with such a strong advantage from 12 yards, the pressure is largely on the taker not to miss, which is why penalties are as much a test of nerve as of skill.
What happens after the shot
During normal play, a penalty is a live ball. If the goalkeeper saves it or it rebounds off a post or crossbar back into play, the game continues and any player may follow up, except the original kicker, until someone else touches it. A keeper who keeps the ball out and preserves a shutout protects their clean sheet. If the ball goes out of play without a goal, play restarts normally with a goal kick or corner.
Penalty kick vs penalty shootout
People often confuse the two. An in-match penalty is a normal restart with rebounds live. A penalty shootout is a separate tiebreaker used after a drawn knockout match: teams alternate single attempts, usually five each, and there are no rebounds. If the score is level after the first round, the shootout goes to sudden death.
Common penalty offenses and retakes
Referees can order a retake or change the outcome depending on who breaks the rules. If a defender or the goalkeeper encroaches and a goal is not scored, the kick is retaken. If an attacker encroaches and a goal is scored, it is retaken; if no goal, the defending team gets a free kick. These checks keep the contest fair between kicker and keeper.
Penalties are one of several restarts that reward discipline, alongside knowing rules such as offside and the caution system. Repeated fouls or a cynical trip that stops a clear chance can also earn a yellow or red card for the offending defender, so a penalty is sometimes only half the punishment.
Frequently asked questions
How far is a penalty kick from goal?
The penalty mark is 12 yards (11 meters) from the goal line, centered between the posts. The kicker takes a single direct shot from that spot with only the goalkeeper defending.
Can the goalkeeper move before a penalty kick?
The goalkeeper can move along the line but must have at least part of one foot touching, in line with, or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked. Stepping off the line early can cause a retake if it affects the outcome.
What is the difference between a penalty kick and a penalty shootout?
A penalty kick during play is a live restart: if the goalkeeper saves it or it rebounds off the frame, play continues. In a shootout after a draw, each kick is a one-off attempt and no rebounds may be scored.
Can a penalty be retaken?
Yes. A retake is ordered for offenses such as goalkeeper encroachment that prevents a goal, or an attacking player illegally entering the area before the kick, depending on the outcome.