Laws 10 and 14 · Penalties
Penalty kicks and shoot-outs in football: rules and procedure
A practical guide to when a penalty kick is awarded, where the players must stand, what happens after the kick and how a penalty shoot-out decides a tied match.
When is a penalty kick awarded?
A penalty kick is awarded when a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their own penalty area, or in the related off-field situations covered by the Laws. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.
Where the ball, goalkeeper and other players must be
The ball must be stationary with part of it touching or overhanging the centre of the penalty mark, and the kicker must be clearly identified. The defending goalkeeper stays on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the posts until the ball is kicked. All other players must be outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark and at least 9.15 m away.
What happens after the referee signals
After the referee signals, the kick is taken and the ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. The kicker may not play the ball again before another player touches it. Depending on the offence and the outcome, infringements can lead to a retake, an indirect free kick or disciplinary action.
How a penalty shoot-out works
A penalty shoot-out is a separate procedure used after the match when competition rules require a winner. Eligible players take kicks alternately. Each team normally takes five kicks, the sequence can end early if one team cannot catch the other, and if the scores are still level the teams continue one kick each until one has scored more from the same number of kicks.