Question Number: 19178

Kicks From The Penalty mark 5/23/2008

RE: Adult

Peter Rye of Keller, TX USA asks...

When taking a Penalty Kick, what is the ruling for the kicker taking a Stutter Step, or even doing a "Ronaldo" and stopping mid-run-up.

OK, I'll be honest. This isn't about a player doing a "Ronaldo".....it's about what Ronaldo did in the UEFA Champions League Finals.

My understanding was that Stutter Steps were allowed as long as the player maintained forward momentum. But while Ronaldo usually keeps his body moving forward while his feet stop, in the CL final he was clearly stationary.

Khama saw his Penalty Shot saved, but should it have counted? Shouldn't he be given a Yellow Card for unsporting behaviour?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Personally I had no issue with the way in which Ronaldo took his Pk. Coming to a hesitation stop in a stutter step is fine as it is permissible to feint at a PK. Nothing Ronaldo did was worthy of a caution or incorrect in law in my opinion that is not to say others will have a different opinion. The method of taking a PK could be seen as USB in my opinion only if the staggered stops were carried on for too long and or the player backed up to run again or carried his body/kick past the ball as in a step over or fake kick. You might have noticed how the keeper adapted his own style because he knew what Ronaldo wanted was a tell by the keeper to indicate which side of the goal he was going to. As the pk shot missed there is no retake provision.. While it is in my opinion a reach to see this as cautionable each referee his match his decision his reputation! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Here is the Canadian version: stutter step is OK but the kicker's foot must not go past the ball and then be kicked by the kicker. Ronaldo's kick was acceptable, although Sir Alex may have a different opinion, lol.