Question Number: 30941

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 10/23/2016

Brian of Brooklyn, NY USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30932

Thanks gents-the reason I was asking is that I was wondering if a defender who is slightly behind the penalty spot but within sight of the kicker is permitted to move back and forth (or order to distract the kicker)

Thanks again for this great resource.

Brian.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
I think that the kicker will be so focussed on the ball and goal that an opponent positioned some 24 yards to the right will be highly unlikely to be seen never mind in some way to attract the kickers attention. The player while he can move must not verbally distract the kicker.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Brian,
we are always happy to help and you are welcome back anytime.
the pk kicker would require very wide peripheral vision to make that possible. Plus my pk kicker would be focused on the kick or, speaking as a coach, I do not let him take them.
As my colleague Ref McHugh points out, the defender can not utter verbal distractions, Plus there is always a possibility he could get closer than 12 yards to the goal line as there is no identifying spot mark on the field, at the time of the kick, which means he could move ahead of the PK spot thus making a possible miss into a retake.
Cheers