When is a penalty kick retaken or disallowed in soccer?
A penalty kick is retaken when a defending player or goalkeeper breaks the rules and the kick is missed or saved, or when both teams encroach. A penalty goal is disallowed if the taker feints illegally after the run-up or touches the ball twice — in those cases the defending team gets an indirect free kick.
- 1If a defending player (including the goalkeeper) commits an offence and the penalty is missed or saved, the kick is retaken; if it goes in, the goal stands[1]
- 2The goalkeeper must keep part of one foot on or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked; encroaching that affects a saved or missed kick means a retake (a warning first, then a caution)[1]
- 3If an attacking teammate encroaches: a goal is retaken, but a miss or save becomes an indirect free kick to the defending team[1]
- 4Illegally feinting to kick after completing the run-up is an offence: the goal is disallowed and the defending team gets an indirect free kick, plus the kicker is cautioned[1]
- 5If the taker touches the ball twice (or with both feet): a goal is retaken, otherwise it's an indirect free kick to the defending team[1]
A penalty looks simple — one shot, one keeper — but a surprising number of rules can wipe out the goal or order the whole thing again.
When does the referee order a retake?
A retake happens when the defending side breaks the rules and the kick does not score. If the goalkeeper or a defender encroaches and the penalty is saved or missed, it's retaken. If both teams break the rules at once, it's also retaken — the offences cancel out and the kick is simply taken again.
What if the goalkeeper moves off the line too early?
The keeper must have part of one foot on or behind the goal line at the moment the ball is kicked. If they jump forward early, save it, and that movement mattered, the penalty is retaken — the keeper gets a warning the first time and a caution if it happens again. If the kick goes in anyway, the goal simply stands.
When is a penalty goal disallowed?
A goal is wiped out when the offence is on the attacking side. If the taker illegally feints to shoot after finishing the run-up, the goal is disallowed, the defending team gets an indirect free kick, and the kicker is cautioned. If an attacking teammate encroaches and the ball is saved or missed, that also becomes an indirect free kick.
What is the double-touch rule?
The taker cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it. If they accidentally hit it with both feet or it deflects off their standing leg, the rule kicks in: if it scores, the penalty is retaken; if it doesn't, the defending team gets an indirect free kick.
Quick reference: retake, goal stands, or disallowed
| Situation | If the kick scores | If it's saved or missed |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper/defender encroaches | Goal stands | Retaken |
| Attacking team-mate encroaches | Retaken | Indirect free kick to defence |
| Both teams encroach | Retaken | Retaken |
| Kicker feints illegally after the run-up | Disallowed → indirect free kick | Indirect free kick |
| Kicker touches the ball twice | Retaken | Indirect free kick to defence |
Think of a penalty retake like an NFL "do-over" after offsetting penalties: when both sides foul, the down is replayed as if nothing happened. The disallowed-goal cases are closer to a touchdown called back by a flag — the score comes off the board because the scoring team broke a rule, and possession flips to the defense. The twist soccer adds is the goalkeeper rule: the defender guarding the goal has their own line they must not cross early, or the offense gets another try.
Key Takeaways
- A penalty is retaken when the defending team (or goalkeeper) offends and the kick is missed or saved, or when both teams encroach.
- A penalty goal is disallowed — and handed to the defense as an indirect free kick — when the taker feints illegally after the run-up or touches the ball twice.
- IFAB — Law 14: The Penalty Kick(accessed 2026-06-17)
- The FA — Law 14: The Penalty Kick(accessed 2026-06-17)