What is a penalty kick in soccer?
A penalty kick is a one-on-one shot from 12 yards (11 metres) out, taken against only the goalkeeper. It's awarded when a defender commits a foul or handball inside their own penalty area. The keeper must keep part of one foot on the goal line until the ball is kicked.
- 1A penalty is taken from the penalty spot, 11 metres (12 yards) from goal, against the goalkeeper alone[1]
- 2It is awarded for a direct-free-kick foul or a handball committed by the defending team inside its own penalty area[2]
- 3When the ball is kicked, the goalkeeper must have part of one foot on, in line with, or behind the goal line[1]
- 4The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves; the taker cannot touch it again until another player does[1]
A penalty kick is the closest thing soccer has to a free shot. It is one player against the goalkeeper, taken from the penalty spot 12 yards out, with everyone else outside the box.
It is awarded when a defender commits a foul that would normally be a direct free kick, or a handball, inside their own penalty area. Because the box is so close to goal, a penalty is converted far more often than not.
The goalkeeper must keep part of one foot on or behind the goal line until the ball is kicked, and can move sideways but not off the line early. The taker can stutter in the run-up but cannot stop completely, and cannot touch the ball twice in a row.
Think of a penalty kick like an uncontested free throw in basketball, but worth far more: a single penalty often decides the entire game. The difference is the goalkeeper, who is allowed to try to save it, unlike a free throw where the defense just watches.
- IFAB — Law 14: The Penalty Kick(accessed 2026-06-01)
- IFAB — Law 12: Fouls and Misconduct(accessed 2026-06-01)