Penalties decide matches and sometimes whole tournaments, yet many fans are unsure about the details. Can the goalkeeper move early? Can the taker stop in the run-up? What happens if a player runs into the box too soon? This guide explains the penalty rules from the Laws of the Game in plain language.
When is a penalty awarded?
A penalty is given when a player commits a direct free-kick offence inside their own penalty area while the ball is in play. That includes tripping, pushing, holding, a careless or reckless challenge, or a handball offence. The location of the offence decides it, not where the ball was. If the contact begins outside the box and continues inside, referees judge where the offence started.
Before the kick
- The ball must be stationary on the penalty mark, with part of it touching the mark.
- The taker must be clearly identified.
- All other players must be on the pitch, outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, and at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the mark. That distance is what the arc on the edge of the penalty area marks.
- The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line, facing the taker, between the posts, without touching the posts, crossbar or net.
The goalkeeper’s rules
When the ball is kicked, the goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot touching, or in line with, the goal line. They can move along the line and wave their arms, but they cannot step forward off the line before the kick, and they cannot distract the taker unfairly, for example by delaying the kick.
If the goalkeeper comes off the line early:
- If the penalty is scored, the goal stands and nothing more happens.
- If the penalty is missed or saved, it is retaken only if the goalkeeper’s offence clearly affected the taker. The goalkeeper receives a caution for repeated offences.
The taker’s rules
- The ball must be kicked forward. A back-heel is allowed only if the ball moves forward.
- Feinting in the run-up is allowed. Slowing down, stuttering or changing pace during the run is fine.
- Feinting once the run-up is complete is not allowed. The taker cannot stop and pretend to kick at the end of the run. If they do, it’s an indirect free kick to the defending team and a caution for the taker, regardless of whether the penalty went in.
- The taker cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it. If the shot hits the post and comes back to the taker, they cannot score from the rebound. Touching it again gives the defending team an indirect free kick.
Encroachment: players entering the area too early
Encroachment happens when a player enters the penalty area, or moves within 9.15 metres of the mark, before the ball is kicked. The outcome depends on who encroached and what happened to the kick:
| Who encroached |
Penalty scored |
Penalty missed / saved |
| Attacking player |
Retake |
Indirect free kick to defending team (if the encroaching player becomes involved) |
| Defending player |
Goal stands |
Retake |
| Both teams |
Retake (unless a more serious offence, like an illegal feint, also happened) |
The idea is simple: the team that broke the rule should not benefit from it.
When the penalty is complete
A penalty is complete once the ball stops moving, goes out of play, or the referee stops play. This matters when time is added on for a penalty at the end of a half. Play continues only until the outcome of the kick is clear. A rebound cannot be followed up once the time has expired.
Penalty shoot-outs: what’s different?
A shoot-out (officially “kicks from the penalty mark”) is used to decide knockout matches that are level after normal time, plus extra time where applicable. Key differences:
- Each team takes five kicks, alternating. If still level, kicks continue one each in “sudden death.”
- No rebounds. Once the kick is saved or hits the woodwork and doesn’t go in, that’s the end of that kick.
- Only players on the pitch at the end of the match (including extra time) can take part. Every eligible player must take a kick before anyone takes a second.
- If one team has fewer players at the end of the match, the other team reduces its number so both have the same number of kickers.
- Goals in a shoot-out don’t count as match goals in player or team statistics.
Why VAR checks penalties so carefully
Because penalties are converted so often (roughly three out of four in top leagues), each award is close to a goal. That’s why VAR checks every penalty decision and can also check the kick itself, for example for goalkeeper movement or encroachment. Video review has made goalkeeper encroachment calls much more common than they used to be.
Quick summary
- Goalkeeper: at least part of one foot on or in line with the line at the moment of the kick.
- Taker: feinting in the run-up is OK, feinting at the end of the run-up is not, and no second touch.
- Encroachment: the team that broke the rule doesn’t benefit, so it’s a retake or a free kick depending on the outcome.
- Shoot-outs: no rebounds, alternating kicks, sudden death after five each.