Question Number: 22611

Law 14 - Penalty kick 12/4/2009

RE: competive High School

Manuel Cadena of Derby, CT USA asks...

A player taking a penalty kick heels the ball to a team-mate who kicks the ball in to the goal.
How is the restart:

corner kick, goal kick, penalty kick, indirect free kick, direct free kick

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The NFHS rule book in Rule 14 Penalty kick describes the proper procedure in which they state the ball must move forward. If a penalty kick is not taken properly there must be a rekick.

FIFA in what to me is an amazing departure from the age old tradition that a restart cannot be changed if the ball is not put into play have decided that if the kicker heels the ball backwards to a teammate, an indirect free kick is awarded the opponents. I flat out think this is just wrong. In order for the ball to be put into play it must be kicked forward so if it's heeled backwards, it's never been put into play so for any other infraction it would be a retake but not at a penalty kick.

I personally don't fell the comparison section applies as it says if the kicker infringes. Rule 14 is very specific that "the ball must be moved forward. Once the kicker starts his/her approach toward the ball, he/she may not interrupt his/her movement. Failure to kick the ball as specified shall result in a rekick'
Since the player in question has actually kicked the ball improperly, I believe a rekick is in order.


Of course I'm reading into your question that the ball is indeed heeled backwards although you never say that. If the kicker uses the heel of his foot somehow to move the ball forward to a teammate and the teammate has not infringed, there is no restart as that would be a legal penalty kick

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Cadena

On the assumption that the ball is played backwards, in FIFA games this is an infringement of Law 14 and the restart in FIFA games is an indirect free kick from the penalty mark, irrespective of the outcome.
From reading the comparison document between FIFA and NFHS it would read to me that in NHFS the referee has to decide if this is an incorrectly taken penalty kick by which case it is a caution for the taker and a retake or is it an infringement of Law 14 in which case it is an IDFK if no goal is scored or a retake if a goal is scored.
I assume from your question you believe it is an infringement of Law 14 and technical infringements are always punished by an IDFK.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

In high school, the ball is not in play on a penalty kick unless it moves forward. A retake is required (unlike TLOG) if the ball does not move forward. If the ball moved forward (unlikely with the heel), a teammate (who has not entered the penalty area early) may kick it into the goal.

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

This was discussed in detail!

I sent a request to the NFHS and asked two questions

(1) one is the PK kicker backheels the ball by stepping past the ball and knocking it backwards away from goal!

answer
In this situation: It is a retake, and could be a possible caution for delay, or could just be a verbal warning the first-time. The official will have to determine intent.

(2)The second was could the PK kicker face away from the goal but backheel the ball forward towards the goal

answer
The ball must be kicked forward. This implies that it is kicked in the direction that the player is facing. Kicking the ball backward whether it goes toward or away from the goalkeeper is not permitted. This would be a re-kick and a caution for unnecessary delay. The kicker would then have to be substituted for.

Thanks to

Mark Koski, CMAA
Assistant Director
National Federation of State High School Associations




If we assume the PK kicker STEPS over the ball and back heels it AWAY from goal there is NO forward motion and as such the ball is NOT in play!

Both sets of laws, FIFA and NFHS mandate the ball be kicked forward to be in play!

Many referees could consider moving a foot past the ball to fall under an USB act of an illegal feint that could create unnecessary encroachment.

FIFA attributes this also as a procedural violation and offers an INDFK for the opposition as compensation! There is no reason to show a yellow card as loss of possession is sufficient compensation for a PK squandered.

My understanding of the USA high school directives has it as a retake with either a caution, show a yellow card for delaying the restart or USB is possible. A verbal do not do that with no substitution mandated could be an option

I think it harsh to say the teammate encroached illegally after the ball was put into play improperly so it is the PK kicker who could receive the card!

What was raised as a valid consideration could a PK kicker back heel a ball >forward to goal< in a legal manner for say a team mate to run onto or even a shot at goal?

This requires the PK kicker to not face the keeper but turn away and face towards the centre circle as a ruse then pop the ball with the back of the heel towards the goal for a shot to catch the keeper napping or a set play for a team mate to run in on!
It was debated if this tactic was a fair feint as an opinion by the referee and under FIFA do we think it could be permitted? USA high school NFHS does not allow it claiming one cannot kick a ball forward while facing away!

The laws say the ball must be kicked forward which could be interpreted as meaning the ball moves towards the goal! Yet if we hold the belief the backheel at a PK is unethical or unsporting and as such cautionable as bringing the game into disrepute. If the ball is considered to have been kicked forward and this was in the opinion of the referee cautionable as USB the kick would be retaken if scored and an INDFK out if missed! If the goal was allowed to stand at he FIFA level on a( forwarded back heel)I do not think a protest coud change the outcome as in law it has no absolute definative other than opinion! My opinion is do not do it!

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 22663