Question Number: 24277

Law 14 - Penalty kick 11/4/2010

RE: Varsity and Club High School

Sonny of Cheraw, SC USA asks...

When a PK is taken from the 12 yard penalty mark, I teach my players to attack as soon as the ball moves but not before. The refs then calls an infringement of crossing the 18. Please correct me of tell me that I am coaching properly. The LOTG states that when the balls moves it is in play. I also ref for rec. games and I want to coach and ref to the best of by ability to help promote the growth of real 'football' here in SC Thanks for your time to respond.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

If the players are following your instruction, they would not infringe law 14 if they enter the penalty area after the ball has been kicked and moves forward.

Players, however, often do not realize that the line is part of the penalty area, that they also must also stay outside the ten yard penalty arc. and that both feet must be outside. My experience is that infringements usually are caused by players entering on the whistle, and not after the kick. The whistle on a PK tells the kicker to proceed.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Sonny
Players from both sides may enter the penalty area and penalty arc after the ball has been kicked but not before. In other words they must be at least 10 yards away from the ball until it is kicked
As the Laws state the players other than the kicker must be located:
# inside the field of play
# outside the penalty area
# behind the penalty mark
# at least 10 yds from the penalty mark
A player could be outside the penalty area and only be 6 yards away ie inside the penalty arc which is not allowed.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Your coaching tactic indicates you have a good understanding of the requirements set forth in Law 14, The penalty kick