Question Number: 31836

Law 14 - The Penalty kick 9/28/2017

RE: Adult

Muhammad Rizwan of Abbottabad, KPK Pakistan asks...

How are you Sir,
I just want to know that Can a keeper leave the touch line before ball is in play during penalty kick? someone says that goalkeeper can take one step before ball is in play.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Muhammad
This has been asked frequently and viewing recent Law 14 questions on the site will show some examples.
The Law states that the goalkeeper must remain on the line until the ball is kicked. Referees can give some leeway as it is can be difficult to determine exact positions at the exact moment of the kick. One step may be seen as trifling and perhaps ignored. Blatant encroachment by the goalkeeper should be punished with a retake if a goal is not scored

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Muhammad,
There is nothing in the Laws of the Game saying that a keeper can take a step off the line before the ball is in play at a penalty kick. However ref McHugh is right in saying that in many cases, referees may consider that a slight step or partial movement off the line just before or just as the ball is kicked can be seen as a trifling or dubious offence and (rightly or wrongly) is often ignored.