In the game of soccer, nothing can turn the tide—and turn up the pressure—quite like a penalty kick. From the perspective of spectators, PKs seem like they should be simple to convert, but when you step into the soccer cleats of the player setting up to take the kick, it’s an entirely different – and nerve-wracking – story. 

A penalty kick is a direct free-kick awarded to a single team due to a penalty within a specific area, or to both teams in a round of tie-breaking goal shots after overtime. 

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about penalty kicks: what they are, when they happen, and what makes them different from other free kicks in soccer.

What Is a Penalty Kick?

A penalty kick is a specific method of restarting play in soccer after certain rule violations occur within the penalty area. 

During a penalty kick, a single player takes a straight-on shot on goal from 11 meters out with only the goalkeeper acting as defense. If the attacking player scores, his or her team is awarded one point.

The Penalty Area: Where Penalty Kicks Are Awarded

For an attacking team to be awarded with a penalty kick, the opposing team must commit a penalty in a specific area: the penalty area. 

Frequently called the “penalty box,” the penalty area is a rectangular box that measures 44 yards (40.3 meters) in length and 18 yards (16.5 meters) in width. It extends outwards from the goal, with the goal line serving as its shorter boundary.

There is a certain set of fouls that, when committed within the penalty area (and, in less common cases, when committed outside of the penalty area) result in a penalty kick. In the next section, we cover each of them in detail.

Penalties Resulting in a Penalty Kick

So, what penalties lead to a penalty kick? If they’re committed in the penalty area, the answer is: many of them. Here’s a list of penalties that, when committed in the penalty area, will almost always lead to a penalty kick:

  • Handballs (when a defender that isn’t the goalkeeper touches the ball with his or her hand during play)
  • Any of the following acts against an opponent, if the referee considers them to be committed in a manner that’s reckless or employing excessive force:
    • Charges at opposing players, officials, or staff 
    • Jumps at opposing players, officials, or staff
    • Kicks or attempts to kick opposing players, officials, or staff
    • Pushes at opposing players, officials, or staff
    • Strikes or attempts to strike opposing players, officials, or staff
    • Trips or attempts to trip opposing players, officials, or staff
    • Tackles or challenges opposing players, officials, or staff
  • Holding an opposing player
  • Impeding an opposing player with contact
  • Biting or spitting at an opposing player, official, or staff 
  • Making contact with the ball using a held object, or throwing an object at the ball
  • A substitute or sidelined player re-entering the field of play without the official’s permission
  • A substitute, sidelined player, or any team member throwing or kicking an object onto the field of play that interferes with the match in any way

It’s also worth noting that a penalty kick will also be awarded if, while the ball is in play, a substitute, sidelined player, or any team member commits any direct free-kick offense against opposing players, officials, or staff—provided that the closest boundary line to the point of that offense is within the offending team’s own penalty area.

The Free Kick: For Penalties Outside of the Penalty Area

When a penalty takes place outside of the penalty area, the opposing team is awarded a free kick. 

Free kicks can be direct (allowing a goal to be scored directly) or indirect (requiring the ball to touch another player first). During free kicks, players of both teams can be anywhere on the field, as long as they respect the minimum distance from the ball.

Penalty Shootouts: Penalty Kicks as Tie-Breakers

Another fairly common situation where penalty kicks are used is the penalty shootout. 

In knockout stages of tournaments or in games that require a winner, penalty shootouts are used if the score is tied after regular and extra time. 

During a penalty shootout, each team takes turns to take a set number of kicks (usually five for each team, with a different player taking each one) from the penalty mark.

The Penalty Kick: How It Works

There is a specific set of rules that governs how penalty kicks should happen. Here’s a list of some of the most important penalty kick rules:

  • The player taking the kick must be clearly identified before the kick takes place.
  • The penalty kick must be taken from the penalty spot (11 meters from the goal line, in the center of the penalty box).
  • The ball must be stationary before the kick takes place.
  • The goal’s net, crossbar, and posts must not be moving.
  • All additional players must stay outside the penalty arc—the curve made by the top of the 18-yard box—until the ball is kicked. They cannot be involved in the penalty kick at any point.
  • The defending goalkeeper must stay between the goalposts and on the goal line until the ball is kicked. 
  • The defending goalkeeper cannot touch the goalposts, crossbar, or net, until the ball is kicked.
  • The penalty kick cannot be taken until the referee gives the signal.
  • After the referee’s signal, the kicker may make “feinting” movements during his or her run-up to the ball to confuse the goalkeeper.
  • Once the ball is kicked and clearly moves, it is considered in play.
  • The kicker cannot make contact with the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
  • The penalty kick is over when the ball stops moving, goes out of play, is blocked by the goalkeeper, or when the referee stops play.

Shop PK Essentials Here at Soccer Pro

Beyond a good pair of soccer shoes, you’ll need a few other important pieces of soccer equipment to start practicing your penalty kicks (or your penalty-kick saves). Here at SoccerPro, we’ve got them all. Shop our selection of soccer jerseys, accessories, and much more—all from the game’s top brands.