Question Number: 14847

Law 14 - Penalty kick 2/15/2007

RE: Under 8

David Matewosian of La Habra, Ca US asks...

I was told by a co-worker that during a Mexican league game a player was awarded a penalty Kick. When he was about to shoot the ball instead of shooting he turned and passed the ball to a player outside of the penalty are who then shot the ball. I thought that the ball must move forward at the start or the game, 1st and 2nd half, and on a penalty shot on restarts the ball can just be touched .

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

You are correct in saying that the ball must move forward in the taking of a PK. Is it possible that the kicker did push the ball forward into space and his teammate ran on to it?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Ball must move forward, BUT it is possible the kicker kicked it forward and the attacker just ran up.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Are you sure it was a PK not an INDFK?
A Pk must roll forward to some degree to satisfy the referee of a the requirement of kicked and forward moved ball.
It seems highly illogical to quote Spock to think this was a PK?
An INDFK located near the PK spot the defenders must be ten yards away or if the free kick is closer than ten yards away from goal the defenders can stand on the goalline under the crossbar between the posts. An INDFK can easily be passed backwards out of the PA for a teammate to run onto.
Where as a PK , if the trick play has the kicker tap the ball gently to one side and slightly forward inside the PA where a speeding teammate times his run to perfection and does not encroach that is legal but it certainly is not a legal pk the way you describe the event Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ah David. There's some new wrinkles at the FIA Q&A site you should go read. If the kicker kicked it forwards to a teammate anywhere on the field this is ok. If he heeled it BACKWARDS, even though the ball was never put into play, an Indirect Free Kick should have been awarded to the opponents. As an aside, at the taking of a penalty kick, if someone other than the designated kicker runs up to take the kick, likewise, an IFK for the opponents.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

David on restarts the ball must be kicked and moved. The touch thing is not considered a kick and move, as least by US Soccer policy...

Regards,