Question Number: 12632

Kicks From The Penalty mark 4/24/2006

RE: Rec High School

Alan Davidson of Ottawa, Ontario Canada asks...

Kicks from the penalty mark or penalty shoot-out are frequently used in tied games in tournaments. If the penalty shot rebounds off the goalkeeper, I believe the penalty kicker cannot score from the rebound, as is allowed for a normal penalty kick during a game, but I cannot see where this is covered in the FIFA Laws. I have seen reference to the ball being "dead" once it has been kicked, but also cannot see this in FIFA. I would appreciate a clarification of this and where it is covered in the Laws of the Game.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Alan this little bit of knowledge was dropped from the Laws of the Game during the 1997 rewrite. Prior to that time International FA Board Decisions 6 and 7 of Law 14 offered this:

(6) When a match is extended, at half-time or full-time, to allow a penalty-kick to be taken or retaken, the extension shall last until the moment that the penalty-kick has been completed, i.e. until the referee has decided whether or not a goal is scored, and the game shall terminate immediately the referee has made his decision.

After the player taking the penalty-kick has put the ball into play, no player other than the defending goalkeeper may play or touch the ball before the kick is completed.

(7) When a penalty-kick is being taken in extended time:

(a) the provisions of all of the foregoing paragraphs, except paragraphs (2) (b) and (4) (c) shall apply in the usual way, and

(b) in the circumstances described in paragraphs (2) (b) and (4) (c) the game shall terminate immediately the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper, the cross-bar or the goal-post.

Note: since the general rewrite of the Laws this has been included in Law 14: [negating International FA Board Decision (7) (b)]

When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar:

the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper.

Referees are expected to know and be the keepers of the history and traditions of The Game. Some do not have the necessary knowledge and that is one of the main reasons for this Referee Question and Answer Site.

We can give away some of our knowledge and help maintain the history and traditions of The Game. Great question, thanks for asking.

Regards,