Penalties are some of the most intense situations in soccer.
A well-executed penalty kick can often mean the difference between success and failure for teams chasing glory. But what exactly are they?
What is a penalty in soccer?
A penalty kick in soccer is when a player is allowed to take a single shot at the goal from the penalty spot while it is defended by only the opposing team's goalkeeper.
The penalty spot is located in center of the box, or "penalty area", exactly 12 yards from the goal line.
If the attacker scores, their team will be awarded one goal, while the score will remain the same if they miss the target or the goalkeeper saves the effort.
When is a penalty kick given?
In the regular run of play, a referee will award a penalty for a foul committed by a defending team inside their own box.
The foul could be anything from a mistimed tackle to pulling a player's shirt, or even a handball.
What are the rules of a penalty kick?
There are lots of rules when it comes to penalty kicks, all of which are laid out clearly in the International Football Association Board's (IFAB) "Laws of the Game."
For example, the defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball is kicked, and must not behave in a way that unfairly distracts the kicker.
Meanwhile, all other players except the keeper and the kicker must be stood outside of the box at the time the kick is taken, and are not allowed to encroach. Do so, and the kick will have to be retaken.
Other penalty kick rules include the ball having to be stationary at the time it's kicked and the chosen kicker having to be made clear to the referee.
Who has the advantage on a penalty kick?
An attacking player has no restrictions on what part of the goal they can aim for when taking a penalty, so this unpredictability naturally gives them an advantage.
What's more, players taking a penalty have few limitations on what kind of run-up they can take, whereas a goalkeeper must stay on their line until the shot is taken, leaving them at an even bigger disadvantage.
From the start of the 2020/21 season to the end of the 2023/24 campaign, over 81% of penalties taken in the Premier League resulted in a goal, highlighting the natural advantage given to the attacking team.
What is a penalty shootout?
A penalty shootout is used to determine the outcome of a match that has ended level after normal time and extra time, but is unable to remain a draw and must be decided at the time, like in World Cup knockout matches and major cup finals like the FA Cup and Champions League.
A penalty shootout is, initially, a best-of-10 affair where the two teams take turns attempting to score a penalty.
If the teams still cannot be separated at the end of this, "sudden death" follows, meaning if one team scores and the other misses, the team that scored wins the game.
One of the most famous penalty shootouts in soccer history came in the final of the 2022 World Cup, where Argentina and Lionel Messi beat France 4-2 to lift the trophy for the first time since 1986.
What was the longest penalty shootout ever?
According to Sportstar, the longest penalty shootout in soccer history happened in May 2024 in a game between Israeli sides SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv, where no less than 56 kicks were needed to decide a winner.
Dimona won the shootout 23-22 after each side took 28 penalties.
Who are the best penalty takers in history?
There have been plenty of great penalty takers over the years in soccer, but former Manchester City star Mario Balotelli, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, and Netherlands icon Marco van Basten are among the best-ever.
The greatest there's ever been though? That title belongs for former Southampton forward Matt Le Tissier, who boasts a near-perfect record from the spot.
During his career, he took 44 penalty kicks and missed just one, that being in a game against Nottingham Forest back in 1993.
The history of the penalty kick
The penalty kick was first introduced to soccer in 1891 to address intentional fouls that had occurred near the goal. William McCrum, an Irish goalkeeper and businessman, is credited with coming up with the concept.
Penalties were initially much different than they are today. They could be taken from anywhere along a 12-yard line, goalkeepers could advance off their line, and were only awarded after an appeal.
It wasn't until 1902 that the penalty spot was introduced, and until 1905 that goalkeepers were required to stay on their line.
Penalty shootouts weren't introduced until much, much later, with the first-ever one taking place in 1970 in a game between Hull City and Manchester United. Before that, extra time and replays had been used to decide ties.
Tips for taking a penalty in soccer
Taking a successful penalty in soccer requires a combination of technique, confidence, and composure.
According to Ben Lyttleton, the author of "Twelve Yards: The Art & Psychology of the Perfect Penalty", there are a number of things players can do to better their chances of scoring.
They include waiting for the goalkeeper to move first, not rushing after the referee's whistle, and having a pre-planned strategy for where, and how, to shoot the ball.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as What Is a Penalty Kick in Soccer?.