A penalty kick is one of the most dramatic and decisive moments in a football match. It can turn the tide of a game in an instant. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about penalty kicks, from when they are awarded to strategies for both the kicker and goalkeeper.
As an avid football fan who has watched and played in countless matches over the years, I’ve seen my fair share of penalty kicks – those nail-biting moments where a single shot can make or break a team’s chances at victory. There’s nothing quite like the pressure and hype surrounding a crucial penalty, whether it’s in a league match or the final of the World Cup.
In my experience, the key to a successful penalty kick comes down to a combination of technique, composure, and a bit of luck. I still vividly remember burying a penalty into the bottom corner in the last minute to win a championship game in my youth football days. The thrill and emotion of that moment will stay with me forever.
When is a Penalty Kick Awarded in Football?
A penalty kick is awarded when a defending team commits a direct free kick offence inside their own penalty area while the ball is in play. The most common offences that result in a penalty are handball or foul play like tripping or pushing an opponent. When this happens, the attacking team is given a chance to score from the penalty spot.
It’s important to note that a penalty can be awarded regardless of the position of the ball, as long as the foul occurs within the 18-yard box. Even if the ball is near the halfway line, if a defender handles the ball or commits a foul inside their own penalty area, the referee will point to the spot.
Some famous examples of fouls that led to crucial penalty kicks include the handball by Uruguay’s Luis Suarez against Ghana in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal, or the foul by England’s David Beckham against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup that resulted in his infamous red card. These incidents show how a single split-second decision can change the course of a match or even a tournament.
The Rules of Taking a Penalty Kick
Once a penalty is awarded, the rules for how it should be taken are very specific. The ball is placed on the penalty mark, which is located 12 yards (11 meters) from the center of the goal line. Only the penalty taker and goalkeeper are allowed inside the penalty area and penalty arc until the kick is taken.
The ball must be stationary on the spot before the kick, and the shooter must wait for the referee’s whistle. The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line between the posts until the ball is kicked. All other players must be at least 10 yards away from the penalty spot, outside the penalty area, behind the ball, and not in the penalty arc.
In 2019, the penalty kick rules were amended to allow goalkeepers to have one foot behind the goal line when facing a penalty, rather than requiring both feet to stay on the line. This change gives keepers a bit more freedom of movement and the ability to start their dive a fraction earlier.
| Distance of Penalty Mark from Goal | Minimum Required Distance of Other Players from Penalty Mark |
|---|---|
| 12 yards (11 meters) | 10 yards (9.15 meters) |
Strategies for Penalty Kick Takers
As the designated penalty taker, the pressure is on to convert the kick and put the ball in the back of the net. Many top strikers have their own signature style or preferred placement, but there are some general tips to improve your chances of scoring from the spot:
- Pick your spot and commit to it. Don’t change your mind at the last second.
- Practice penalties regularly to build muscle memory and confidence.
- Mix up your placement to keep goalkeepers guessing. Don’t always shoot to your favorite side.
- Consider a stutter step or hesitation in your run-up to throw off the keeper’s timing.
- Strike the ball with power and precision. Aim for the corners or side netting.
Some players who are especially adept at penalty kick technique include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Neymar. They often stay calm under pressure and are able to find the corners with regularity, even against top goalkeepers.
“The key to scoring penalties is confidence and dedication in your training. Repetition of your technique over and over gives you that belief. When you step up in a match, visualize the net rippling and know you have the skill to execute.”
– Fabian Messerschmitt, Retired German Striker and Penalty Kick Specialist
The Role of the Goalkeeper in Penalty Kicks
While much of the focus is on the penalty taker, the goalkeeper also plays a crucial role in the outcome of a penalty kick. A keeper has the chance to become a hero by making a spectacular save, but they are at an inherent disadvantage due to the close range and pace of the shot.
Goalkeepers often try to gain an edge by playing mind games with the shooter, like delaying the kick, talking to them, or waving their arms. They also study film of opposing player’s tendencies and preferred shooting sides when facing a known penalty taker.
Of course, even the best goalkeepers get scored on from penalties more often than not. The conversion rate over the history of the World Cup is around 71%. But that doesn’t stop keepers from using every trick in the book to increase their odds of making a momentum-shifting save.
Penalty Shootouts: The Ultimate Decider
In some tournament formats like the World Cup or Champions League, if a knockout match is tied after regulation and extra time, it goes to a dreaded penalty shootout to determine the winner. Each team selects five players to take spot kicks in alternating order, with the team scoring the most out of five declared the victor.
If the score is level after five rounds, the shootout goes to sudden death rounds until one team scores and the other doesn’t. The order of the kickers is determined by a coin toss, with the winner choosing whether to kick first or second.
Penalty shootouts are the ultimate nail-biters, with incredible pressure and hype surrounding every single kick. It’s hard to match the emotions of a shootout, whether it’s the euphoria of seeing your team advance or the heartbreak of losing in the cruelest of fashions. Some of the most iconic moments in World Cup history have come in penalty shootouts, like Italy’s victory over France in the 2006 final or Argentina’s semifinal win against the Netherlands in 2014.
The History and Evolution of the Penalty Kick Rule
The penalty kick was first introduced into the laws of the game in 1891 to punish deliberate fouls and handling of the ball within 12 yards of the goal line. The original rule stated that the kick should be taken from any point along a line 12 yards from the goal, effectively creating an “18-yard box” that would later become the standard penalty area.
In the early years, goalkeepers were required to stand on the goal line and not move their feet until the ball was struck. Penalty takers had to kick the ball forward in a single motion without any hesitation or deception in their run-up.
Over time, the penalty kick rules evolved to their modern form. In the 1930s, the 12 yard penalty spot and 10 yard minimum distance for other players were standardized. The stutter step run-up was legalized in 1982. As mentioned, in 2019 the requirement for goalkeepers to keep both feet on the line until the kick was taken was softened to allow one foot to stray from the line.
Despite over a century of tinkering, the fundamental premise of the penalty kick has remained constant – a duel between shooter and keeper, a single shot on goal from a set distance as punishment for a foul in the box. It’s a rule that has created countless moments of incredible drama over the decades, and I have no doubt it will continue to do so for the next hundred years and beyond.
