Every soccer fan knows the sinking feeling: a defender reaches out, the referee points to the spot, and everything narrows to one player versus one goalkeeper. That moment—that precise, isolated drama—is the penalty kick, and it’s been part of football’s grammar since 1891. This guide breaks down exactly how Law 14 works, what changed recently, and why some teams keep winning the spot kick while others keep fluffing it.
Penalty kicks awarded per Premier League match (2023–24): 0.23 · Global conversion rate: 77.1% · Year introduced: 1891 · Distance from goal line: 12 yards (11 meters)
Quick snapshot
- A penalty kick is awarded for a direct free kick offense inside the penalty area. (Nachspielzeiten)
- The ball is placed on the penalty mark, 12 yards (11 meters) from the goal. (Nachspielzeiten)
- The exact number of penalty kicks per season varies by league and playing style. (Sportingpedia)
- Whether yelling is always penalized depends on referee discretion. (The FA)
- 1891: Penalty kick enters the Laws of the Game. (Nachspielzeiten)
- 1902: Penalty spot and 18-yard box created. (The Athletic)
- June 2020: IFAB tightens encroachment rules. (UEFA)
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty kick distance | 12 yards (11 meters) | Nachspielzeiten |
| Year introduced | 1891 | Nachspielzeiten |
| Global conversion rate | 77.1% | CIES Football Observatory |
| Study of 5,397 penalties | 78.795% scored | University of Innsbruck |
| Premier League success rate | 83.14% | SQaF |
| Serie A goalkeeper save % | 21.40% | RG.org |
| Ligue 1 conversion rate | 82.2% | CIES Football Observatory |
| South African PSL conversion | 71.4% | CIES Football Observatory |
| IFAB law amendments effective | June 1, 2020 | UEFA |
| Law designation | Law 14 | The Athletic |
What is a penalty kick?
A penalty kick is the most consequential set-piece in football: a direct free kick awarded when a defending player commits a direct free kick offense—tripping, pushing, or handling the ball—inside their own penalty area. The ball sits on the penalty spot, 12 yards (11 meters) from the goal line, and the kicker faces the goalkeeper alone.
Only two players occupy the penalty area during the kick: the kicker and the goalkeeper. Everyone else must stand outside the area and at least 10 yards from the penalty spot until the ball is in play. The kicker cannot touch the ball again after the initial kick until another player makes contact. The ball must move forward—it cannot be passed backward or dribbled.
Definition of a penalty kick in soccer
- Awarded for direct free kick offenses committed by a defending player within their own penalty area.
- The ball is placed on the penalty mark, 12 yards (11 meters) from the goal.
- Only the goalkeeper and the kicker are allowed in the penalty area during the kick.
When is a penalty kick awarded?
- Fouls such as tripping, pushing, or handball inside the penalty area.
- Also awarded for off-field offenses when the ball is in play.
- Not awarded for indirect free kick offenses.
Key elements of a penalty kick
- The kicker must wait for the referee’s whistle.
- The ball must move forward from the penalty spot.
- The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player touches it.
The penalty kick is codified as Law 14 in the Laws of the Game and has retained this designation from its origin in 1891 to the present day. Early rules allowed the kicker to dribble before shooting and permitted goalkeepers to advance several yards off the line—liberties that would baffle today’s players.
What is the new rule for penalty kick in football?
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) introduced significant amendments to Law 14 effective June 1, 2020, with the stated goal of reducing excessive cautions for marginal encroachment offenses. The changes aim to penalize only encroachment that materially affects the kicker or the outcome.
Recent changes to penalty kick laws
- The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line when the kick is taken.
- Any part of the goalkeeper’s body can be on the line.
- The kicker must wait for the referee’s whistle.
- Goalkeeper encroachment on missed or rebounded kicks is penalized only if it clearly affected the kicker. (UEFA)
IFAB rule amendments on penalty kicks
- First goalkeeper encroachment offense: warning. (The FA)
- Subsequent encroachment offenses: yellow card. (The FA)
- Outfield player encroachment is penalized only if it clearly impacts the goalkeeper or kicker, or if the encroaching player plays the ball. (IFAB)
Impact of new rules on goalkeepers and kickers
- VAR technology has increased detection of marginal encroachment. (UEFA)
- Law changes aim to avoid excessive cautions for technical breaches without material impact. (UEFA)
For goalkeepers, the message is clear: stay on your line for the first offense and you walk away with a warning. Step off again and it’s a booking. This represents a shift from automatic punishment to consequence-based enforcement, directly tied to VAR’s ability to catch marginal movements.
How many penalty kicks are taken in a soccer match?
The frequency of penalty kicks varies considerably by league and competition. Premier League data shows approximately 0.23 penalty kicks awarded per match during the 2023–24 season, meaning roughly one penalty every four games. The 2022 FIFA World Cup saw 28 penalty kicks awarded across the entire tournament.
Average number of penalty kicks per game in top leagues
- Premier League: 0.23 per match (2023–24).
- Varies by league and playing style.
Penalty kick statistics in World Cup tournaments
- 2022 FIFA World Cup: 28 penalty kicks awarded across the tournament.
- The number varies by competition and referee tendency.
Factors influencing penalty kick frequency
- League aggressiveness and defensive tactics.
- Referee interpretation of contact in the box.
- Playing surface and match conditions.
The Premier League’s 0.23 figure means most fans will watch a full season and see fewer than 10 penalties awarded to their team. With conversion rates around 83%, that’s roughly eight goals per season riding on spot kicks. One missed penalty in a tight title race can decide championships.
What is another name for a penalty kick?
A penalty kick is commonly called a “spot kick” or simply “penalty” in football parlance. Among the techniques, the most famous variation is the Panenka—a dinked shot struck gently down the center as the goalkeeper dives to one side.
Common terms for a penalty kick
- Spot kick
- Penalty
- Penalty spot
The Panenka penalty kick
Antonín Panenka introduced the dinked penalty technique at UEFA Euro 1976, fooling Czechoslovakia’s Sepp Maier with a gentle chip down the center. The technique relies on the goalkeeper committing early to a dive. Since then, it has become a weapon in the modern game, though it carries higher risk than a hard-placed shot.
Other variations: stutter-step, powerful shot
- Power shot: struck hard into a corner, prioritizing placement over deception.
- Placement shot: aimed precisely at specific zones the goalkeeper cannot reach.
- Stutter-step: irregular run-up designed to disrupt goalkeeper timing.
The Panenka succeeds when goalkeepers expect power. Use it every time and defenders anticipate it—the chip becomes predictable, the risk outweighs the reward. Elite takers like Cristiano Ronaldo mix their approach deliberately, keeping goalkeepers guessing.
Can you yell during a penalty kick?
The Laws of the Game do not explicitly prohibit yelling during a penalty kick, but referees have discretion to penalize excessive noise as unsporting behavior. A defender shouting loudly at the moment of the kick may be cautioned if the referee deems it a distraction.
Distraction during penalty kicks
- The Laws of the Game do not explicitly prohibit yelling.
- Distraction is considered unsporting behavior if intended to unsettle the kicker. (The FA)
Rules on verbal interference
- Referees have discretion to warn or caution players for excessive noise.
- Intent matters—random crowd noise is not penalized; coordinated shouting from teammates is.
Consequences of yelling by defenders
- First offense: verbal warning from referee.
- Continued behavior: yellow card for unsporting conduct.
- Whether yelling is always penalized depends on referee discretion. (The FA)
Timeline of the penalty kick
Six key moments shaped the penalty kick from its 1891 introduction to today’s VAR-era enforcement:
| Year | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | Penalty kick introduced to the Laws of the Game; initially could be taken from any point along a 12-yard line. | Nachspielzeiten |
| 1902 | Penalty spot and rectangular 18-yard penalty area created, fixing the kick location. | The Athletic |
| 1905 | Goalkeepers required to stay on their goal line during the kick. | Nachspielzeiten |
| 1976 | Antonín Panenka invents the dinked penalty at UEFA Euro 1976 final. | The Ball is Round |
| 2020 | IFAB amendments effective June 1: first goalkeeper encroachment receives warning, not yellow. | UEFA |
| 2023 | IFAB confirms no further major changes to Law 14; emphasis on encroachment enforcement. | IFAB |
The 2020 amendments marked a shift toward consequence-based enforcement, with VAR enabling officials to detect marginal movements that previously went unpunished.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- The penalty kick is awarded for direct free kick offenses in the penalty area.
- The ball is placed on the penalty mark, 12 yards from the goal.
- The goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the goal line when the kick is taken.
- Law 14 applies to all official competitions under IFAB jurisdiction.
- Encroachment is penalized only if it materially affects the outcome.
What’s uncertain
- The exact number of penalty kicks awarded per season varies by league and is not fixed.
- Whether yelling is always penalized depends on referee discretion and intent.
- Precise biomechanical data on run-up angles and success rates remains limited.
Perspectives on the penalty kick
The penalty kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for any offence.
— IFAB, Law 14 interpretation
The goalkeeper’s job is to eliminate angles and guess right—but against a perfectly placed shot, even the best guesser in the world stands no chances. The advantage, mathematically, belongs to the kicker.
— Analysis from the University of Innsbruck study of 5,397 penalties
Research from the CIES Football Observatory reveals stark regional variation in conversion rates: French Ligue 1 and Qatar Stars League both hit 82.2%, while South Africa’s Premier Soccer League managed only 71.4%. Serie A goalkeepers lead Europe with a 21.40% save percentage, compared to 16.27% in the Premier League.
The implication: penalty kicks are not purely psychological contests—they reflect training culture, tactical preparation, and league-specific norms that compound over seasons.
Bottom line
The penalty kick is a high-stakes, law-governed event where the kicker holds a mathematical edge—global conversion rates sit between 77% and 83%, meaning the goalkeeper loses more often than not. Law 14 has evolved significantly since 1891, with the 2020 amendments introducing graduated consequences for encroachment that prioritize material impact over technical breaches.
For coaches, the takeaway is clear: invest in placement over power, and teach goalkeepers to stay disciplined on the line. For players facing a penalty, the choice is equally sharp: aim for the corner and strike cleanly, or gamble on a Panenka and hope the keeper commits early.
Frequently asked questions
Can a penalty kick be retaken?
Yes. A penalty is retaken if the goalkeeper touches the ball before it crosses the line and the ball returns to play, if an outside agent interferes, or if the kicker is encroaching and the penalty is missed. If the goalkeeper encroaches but the kick still scores, the goal typically stands.
What happens if the goalkeeper moves early?
Under the 2020 amendments, the goalkeeper’s first encroachment offense receives a warning. Any subsequent offense in the same match earns a yellow card. If the kicker misses because of goalkeeper encroachment, the penalty may be retaken.
Can a player take a penalty kick with a backheel?
Yes, technically—the Laws of the Game do not specify how the ball must be struck. A backheel is legal provided the ball moves forward and the kicker does not touch it again before another player makes contact. In practice, it is exceptionally rare at elite level.
What is the penalty kick shootout?
A penalty shootout is a tiebreaker used when a match must produce a winner. Each team takes a series of five penalty kicks; the team with more goals after five kicks wins. If scores remain level, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format. The shootout is governed by separate rules under Law 10.
Who is the best penalty kick taker of all time?
Statistics vary by source, but players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Andrea Pirlo consistently rank among the highest conversion rates in professional football history. Ronaldo has scored over 150 career penalties across clubs and internationals with a conversion rate exceeding 80%.
Is it allowed to fake a shot during a penalty kick?
No. Law 14 prohibits the kicker from feinting to kick the ball after completing the run-up. This is considered unsporting behavior and results in a yellow card. The kick is retaken if the feint affected the goalkeeper.
Can a penalty kick be passed to a teammate?
No. The ball must be kicked forward and cannot be touched again by the kicker until another player touches it. A backward pass would violate the requirement that the ball moves forward, and the kicker touching it twice would also be an offense.
Related reading: England Goalkeepers: Complete History, Best Ever & Top 10 · PSG GK 2025: Who Is Paris Saint-Germain’s Goalkeeper Now?
Freya Lindholm
Features Writer — Freya Lindholm writes long-form football explainers, club background pieces, and player profile features. Her work focuses on turning complex football stories into clear, readable, and useful reference content for fans.