Question Number: 22650

Kicks From The Penalty mark 12/16/2009

RE: Adult

Tony of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

Panel,

My question is on Kicks from the penalty mark to determine a game. A pet subject of mine.

The US has had a different interpretation on this part of the law regarding reduce to equate. It is clear that once the kicks start that there is no more reducing to equate. This is clear everywhere.

The difference in interpretation hinges around when the KFTPM begin. In the US it has been at the final whistle in other Countries it is when the first kick is taken.

So in the US (in the past?)if both sides have equal players at the final whistle and a Red player hits a Blue player at the coin toss, to decide who takes the first kick The Red player gets sent off BUT no need for Blue team to reduce to equate as the Kick PHASE has begun.

In other countries like UK and Australia, as the first kick has not happened the Red player is sent off and the Blue team must now reduce to equate.

I just read 'Kicks from the Mark 1' December 8 2009 from US Soccer Q&A. It appears this has now changed in the US if I am reading the reply correctly. It seems NOW in the US you are required to send off the Red player AND for the other team to reduce to equate AS THE FIRST KICK HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN. We are referred to a position paper April 2009 but I am unable to find it. There are 2 position papers on this but are old.

So is this a change in the US?
Where can I find the position paper April 2009?

As mentioned this is an aspect of the law that should not have completely different interpretations for such an important aspect of the game.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

I believe this is a change, since a 2002 USSF position paper indicated that you would not reduce to equate for players sent off after the kicks phase begins. The USSF still recognizes that the 'kicks phase' beings immediately upon the final whistle, but the 2009 paper calls for reducing to equate if players are sent off after the final whistle but before the 'kicks' begins (with the first kick).

The April 2009 USSF paper, entitled 'Kicks From the Penalty Mark Checklist' has since been quoted in full in the US Soccer Q&A.
(It is hard to find it on the ussoccer.com website.)

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Here's the pertinent part:

Kicks From The Penalty Mark Checklist
(References below to "regular play" include any additional periods of play required by
the competition authority as a means of breaking a tie prior to the use of kicks from the
penalty mark. References to "round" mean the entire set of eligible players for a team.)
Before the conclusion of regular play
? Cover in the pregame basic requirements for this procedure
? In competitions using unlimited substitution rules, remind both coaches at a
convenient stoppage (e.g., between the first and second additional periods of play)
that:
o Only players on the field at the end of regular play will be eligible to
participate in kicks from the mark
o Eligible players must be kept separate from ineligible players when
regular play ends
Between the conclusion of regular play and the taking of the first kick
? The "kicks from the penalty mark" phase of the match begins immediately upon
the conclusion of regular play and includes the activities described in this section
? Determine the number of eligible players for each team
o Eligible players include any players temporarily off the field with the
permission or at the direction of the referee (e.g., receiving treatment,
correcting equipment, bleeding, or blood on the uniform who have not
been substituted with the permission of the referee)
o A player temporarily off the field at the end of regular play who is
declared unable to return after regular play has ended but before the first
kick from the mark is taken may not be substituted for and will reduce the
number of eligible players for that team
? If, based on this determination, the teams are of unequal numbers, the team with
more eligible players must 'reduce to equate'
o The captain of the team with the greater number must identify the
player(s) to be excluded from participating in kicks from the penalty mark
as a means of making equal the number of eligible players on each team
o The excluded player(s) must join team officials and substitutes in the
technical area
? Allow eligible players to receive water, treatment, equipment repair, or other such
assistance on the field near their bench. Team officials may temporarily enter the
field but must exit the field when directed by the referee.
? Decide which end of the field will be used for this procedure
o The senior assistant referee takes a position at the intersection of the goal
line and the goal area line
o The other assistant referee will be located in the center circle
? Conduct a coin toss (winner chooses which team will kick first)

Since USSF now says if the eligible player off the FOP cannot return before the first kick is taken we reduce to equate, it's reasonable to assume that if something happens before the first kick is taken and after regulation play is ended like you suggest, we would still reduce to equate

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

There is the KFTPM phase, meaning that period between the final whistle and the taking of the first kick. During this period, players can get water, get an injury/cramp seen to, while the coin toss is performed, the appropriate goal is chosen, and the captains are deciding which team members will sit out if there is a reduce to equate need.

The actual KFTPM begin with the first kick. If any players manage to get themselves sent off or injured beyond repair between the final whistle and the first kick, the larger team will reduce to equate.

The thinking on this has been to allow the larger team to jettison their less effective kickers, so if the kicks go further than the first five, they have the best chance of success. I've had some soccer folks argue that it is not fair to punish the team by making them reduce, but the opposite is true - it is a benefit for them.

There is no requirement that teams submit a list of the first five kickers under the LOTG. A competition can require it, the teams may want to do this, or the referee may ASK, but the referee cannot by herself require this from the teams.

I, for one, am very happy to see this change, as it prevents a great deal of gamesmanship and monkey business from occurring, and follows a logical progression from the end of the regulation to the first kick in the tie-breaker.