Question Number: 30536

Law 14 - Penalty kick 6/24/2016

RE: Competitive Under 16

Russell Berkowitz of Pacheco, CA - California USA asks...

Question about Penalty Kicks.

During a penalty kick, everyone was set up properly (refs, ball, keeper, kicker, etc..) the ref blew the whistle for the kick, but the kicker walked up to the ball, picked it up and reset it. The kicker didn't run up as if to kick the ball, so they weren't trying to fake out the goalie. But I didn't think they were able to handle the ball (move it slightly) after the whistle had blown. I thought you only had one touch, which would be the kick. Is this an infringement. If so, what would be the consequences (if during the game, or if during a penalty shoot out at the end of the game.)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Normally what happens here is that the kicker should request a reset from the referee. There is nothing in the laws to say that the ball cannot be reset and it is just courtesy to ask. As it was not done there is little that can be done other than to go through the penalty routine again from the beginning and to sound a second whistle when all is ready again. The referee could caution for delaying the restart yet as the ball is not in play the penalty kick is still the restart. IMO a caution would be harsh for a genuine reset and no need for it.
Any time I have seen this the player has asked the referee for a reset which is always granted. Indeed if the ball moved off the mark it would be required to be replaced anyway.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Russell,

Like any free kick, there's no particular law saying the player can't handle the ball after the whistle is blown. The referee could consider it delaying the restart of play or some other form of mind games at a penalty kick.

In this scenario, the referee should probably warn the kicker to get on with it and tell all players to again wait for the whistle. Any repeats should be met with a caution - the player had plenty of time to set the ball so this just seems like cheap mind games.