Question Number: 23041

Kicks From The Penalty mark 3/30/2010

RE: High School Varsity High School

Brad Harman of Columbia, SC USA asks...

The game ends in a draw after regulation play and the two 5 minute overtime periods. We go to kicks from the spot. Keeper B goes through a ritual that takes 30-45 seconds before he signals that he is ready for the kick to be taken. Is there any thing in the Laws that addresses how long a keeper can take before being ready to defend the kick from the spot?

thanks for your help.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Harman
The way to deal with this to to take both goalkeepers aside before KFTPM and inform them what is expected from them. The advice I give will include
1. Red keeper will be in goal for the 1st penalty
2. Blue keeper will stand at the penalty area line behind the AR
3. When a kick is completed I want places to be exchanged quickly and without delay.
4. When a save is made and the penalty is completed the GK is not to touch the ball
5. I will determine correct ball placement on the penalty mark and I do not want the GKs involved or coming forward to engage with players including your own
6. GKs to remain on the line until the ball is kicked
7. The KFTPM are to be completed in a sporting manner with no gamesmanship.

If any of those instruction except coming off the line which is a retake, are breached it is a warning followed by a caution for a repeat. If a GK delays the taking of a penalty kick then it is delaying the restart of play and it is a cautionable offence. The referee is the judge of what is reasonable time to be taken.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

All players, including the keeper, may be cautioned for unsporting behavior (unsporting conduct in high school). But, the referee can usually put a stop to a long routine by telling the keeper to stop.

Note: the NFHS rules provide a recommendation as to kicks to decide a winner, but they are not mandatory. Where applicable, however, there is a different treatment for a goalkeeper who receives a caution during the kicks - - the keeper may not participate until the opponent's next kick is completed (a substitute is used). A reminder to the keeper of the consequences of a yellow card may have remarkable powers to prevent this form of disrespect to the opponent.