Question Number: 15024

Law 14 - Penalty kick 3/22/2007

RE: Competive

Tim Fauber of Rockville, md usa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 15010

There is a difference between a feint and stopping and restarting. A feint is done as part of the motion of approaching the ball to kick it and would involve some hesatiation or deception. A player stopping his motion then restarting to simply decern the direction the keeper moves could be construed as much more then a feint and I would caution for being guilty of unsporting behaviour. It becomes a judgement call. Is it a faint or is the shooter being unsporting? My barometer is if the kicker come to complet halt or backs up then he has gone beyond a feint. The PK is still taken.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

This is the referees discretion. If the referee deemed as an infraction, it would be written up as unsporting behavior in the match report. Players are allowed to feint on a PK, but may not unessarly delay the match by stepping over the ball or running back.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Tim, we appreciate your opinion as to what constitutes a feint at the taking of a penalty kick. My opinion is if the kicker passes the ball and comes back to take the kick I'll put a halt to things straightaway.

I believe if the kicker takes two steps on his run up and stops cold, watches the keeper commit to his left, then stuffs the ball to the keeper's right we have a goal. I also believe that the word STOP in the centre of a red and white octagonal traffic sign means all motion ceases before entering the intersection. On the football pitch I'm there to, first and foremost, enforce the Laws of the Game. A penalty kick is a free kick, abet with special considerations. If I have a properly identified penalty taker, ensured Law 14 has been complied with and I have signalled to take the kick he is free to take his free kick in any manner he chooses EXCEPT running past the ball and returning to kick it.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Feinting, like beauty, is clearly in the eye of the beholder