What are the rules for a penalty kick?
B · Beginner · Kick-offs, free kicks, penalties and other restarts · 13 of 17A penalty kick is given for a direct free kick offence by a defender in their own penalty area. The ball is on the penalty mark, 11 metres from goal. The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line until the ball is kicked, with at least part of one foot on or level with the line. Everyone else waits outside the area, 9.15 metres from the mark.
How it works
- The kicker must be identified to the referee and kick the ball forward. A backheel is allowed if the ball goes forward.
- The goalkeeper stays on the goal line between the posts, facing the kicker. They must not touch the posts, bar or net or delay the kick. When the ball is kicked, at least part of one foot must touch, be in line with or be behind the line.
- Other players: inside the field, outside the penalty area, behind the mark and 9.15 metres from it.
- Feinting in the run-up is allowed. Feinting once the run-up is complete is not: indirect free kick and a caution.
- The kicker cannot play the ball again until another player has.
- At the end of a half, time is added for the penalty to be taken and completed.
| What went wrong | Goal scored | No goal |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper offends | Goal | Retake if saved, or if the miss came from the goalkeeper's offence affecting the kicker; warning, then caution |
| Kicker's teammate encroaches and it matters | Retake | Indirect free kick |
| Goalkeeper's teammate encroaches and it matters | Goal | Retake |
| Kicked backwards, wrong kicker or illegal feint | Indirect free kick (and caution for the feint or wrong kicker) | Indirect free kick |
| Kicker deliberately touches it twice | Indirect free kick | Indirect free kick |
Tricky cases
Can the goalkeeper move along the line before the kick?
Yes, as long as they stay on the line and do not delay the kick or distract the kicker unfairly.
The goalkeeper came off the line but the kick missed the target. Is it retaken?
No, unless the goalkeeper's offence plainly affected the kicker. A save after coming off the line is retaken.
Can a penalty be passed to a teammate?
Yes. The ball must be kicked forward, and the teammate must be behind the mark and outside the area when it is kicked.
Why the rule exists
It gives back the scoring chance the foul in the area took away, with fixed positions so the contest between kicker and goalkeeper is fair.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above; accidental double touches clarified and no automatic caution when kicker and goalkeeper offend together, both 2026/27 | L14; Law changes 2026/27 |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Law 14 and Law 7.4, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).