Question Number: 13579

Kicks From The Penalty mark 8/26/2006

RE: Competitive Adult

Sancho of Montreal, Quebec Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 13531

Thanks for the insightful answers to question 13531. However, I unfortunately don't see where in the LOTG any of the restrictions on feinting suggested are covered.

The dictionary definition of a feint is "making a deceptive or distracting movement", and the FIFA Q & A on the LOTG is quite clear that feinting is permitted on a PK. I'm curious as to why Mr. Contarino considers the three situations described in 13531 as beyond feinting, since they seem to fit the definition above.

As for going beyond the ball or the kicker swinging their foot over it, I agree that this type of feint should not be allowed. My criteria here is that on a regular free kick, I wouldn't allow the kicker to do this; it's unnecessary and delays the restart of play (making it look like you will kick but actually not doing so). That said, on a free kick I *would* allow the three feints described in 13531, because they are valid tactical moves and the intention to kick is there and not delayed by much; so why not on a penalty kick also?

I have to admit I'm a little conflicted here, because on the one hand general practice, traditions, and my own intuition would like to place some common-sense restrictions on the feinting during a PK, namely, that the feint should not be overly deceptive towards the adversary. On the other hand, just how deceptive is overly deceptive? I'm reminded of the vague phrases that used to be in the Offside law (e.g. "gaining advantage"), but that were defined more precisely by FIFA recently in FA Board decisions; "unfairly deceiving" seems to be another phrase of the same type. (Perhaps this is what Mr. Contarino meant by saying a definition would be forthcoming; in this case hopefully FIFA gets around to it in 2007...)

In any case, my follow up question essentially is, is there a basis in the LOTG for any of the "common sense/general practice" restrictions on feinting during a PK?

Thanks and continue the great work!

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The Laws of the Game, Q&A 2006, Law 14, Number:

13. A player taking a penalty kick feints before kicking the ball. Is this permitted?

Yes.

This is all we have to go on. US Soccer discusses what the limits are. CFC probably does as well in a point paper or other policy statement. What we said is feinting is allowed at the taking of a penalty kick and we offered opinion on what the limits of the feint could be. There will not be another player involved. The kicker will not run past the ball.

On a regular free kick running over the ball or kicking over the ball should be allowed as there is the possibility of making an opponent commit a misconduct for which the referee SHOULD caution. This is a tactical move on the kickers part. On a penalty his limits are in getting the keeper to move one way or the other then hitting the ball where the keeper is not. The latitude a referee allows on feinting at the taking of a penalty must be his own, and based on what his national organisation specifies as a limit, should the organisation have spoken. The IFAB has not established specific checkpoints for the referee to tick-off on a penalty. The referee is on his own...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Feinting is allowed per US Soccer advice to referees. The kicker should not run past the ball on a penalty kick. If it is a free kick, then players can run over the ball or fake a kick. Any opponents running within 10 yards should be cautioned.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Sancho, when this happens to you, on your field, it's YOUR opinion that counts. To me, what was described went beyond feinting and I doubt I'd allow it. As I and my fellow referees have stated, we have little to go by so you have to decide on your own.