Question Number: 27698

Law 14 - Penalty kick 8/27/2013

RE: all levels Other

Pat of Visalia, CA USA asks...

At the taking of free kicks, the defense is normally expected to retreat 10 yards from the ball until it is put into play.

The Penalty Kick is mentioned in Law 12--Fouls and Misconduct.

Law 13--Free Kicks. The penalty kick is again mentioned under Infringements/Sanctions.

In Law 14---The Penalty Kick, it states that at the taking of a penalty kick ALL players (offense and defense), except for the player taking the penalty kick, must be at least 10 yards from the penalty mark.

Beside knowing that it is written in Law 14, I would like to know what the rationale or reasoning is for this special requirement at that time?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Pat,

It needs to be specifically mentioned in Law 14 as the penalty kick, being quite different to a normal direct or indirect free kick, has it's own distinct rules and procedures. So if the 10 yard requirement was not mentioned there, then some may take it to mean it does not apply to this law.

However, it's also a bit redundant; all players except for the goalkeeper (who needs to remain on his line until the ball is kicked) and the kicker need to remain outside of both the Penalty Area and the arc at the top of the Penalty Area until the ball is kicked. This ensures they're at least 10 yards from the ball anyway - so it seems this law is doubling up on wording.

However, some fields may have a poorly marked arc (or it may have disappeared entirely), so specifically requiring 10 yards helps to ensure consistency in these situations rather than having all players incorrectly lining up on the edge of the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pat
The procedure mentioned in Law 14 is to bring order to what could be a difficult and chaotic situation. It is also structured in such a way as to give a sporting chance to the goalkeeper. As the Law is currently set up the goalkeeper can see the kicker and form a judgement about his run up as to what to do.
I remember one of the tricks in street football was for the first kicker to run over the ball making the goalkeeper move and then the second kicker placed the ball in the other side of the goal. Another one was for another kicker to suddenly rush forward and take the kick perhaps from the other side confusing or catching the goalkeeper by surprise.
Without set procedures teams would find ways to increase it chances of 100% success.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The top of the penalty area is only 6 yards from the penalty mark. So, to comply with the general requirements for ten yards on a free kick, Law 14 must state that all players must be outside the penalty area AND ten yards from the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Interesting. Law 14 itself never says the players must be outside the penalty arc. (Although it is in the I&G section of the Laws.) Instead, Law 14 says the players must be at least 10 yards from the ball. Since the arc is 10 yards from the penalty spot, that's just another way of saying the players must be outside the arc.