Penalty kick award
A one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.
Overview
When a foul that would normally bring a direct free kick is committed by the defending team inside their own penalty area, the referee awards a penalty kick. The ball is placed on the penalty spot and one attacker takes an unobstructed shot against the goalkeeper.
All other players must stand outside the penalty area and behind the ball until it is kicked. The goalkeeper must stay on their goal line until the ball is struck.
Key points
- The offence must occur inside the defending team's own penalty area.
- Only the kicker and the goalkeeper are involved as the kick is taken.
- The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the ball is struck.
- Other players stay outside the area and behind the ball until it is played.
Where it’s used
Sports that use penalty kick award:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Futsal
A fast, small-sided indoor form of football played on a hard court with a low-bounce ball.
Handball
A fast indoor team sport of passing, jumping and throwing to score with the hands.
Related rules
Offside
A rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
Handball offence
A foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
Direct and indirect free kicks
The two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Penalty kick award to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Strategies
Player roles
- Set-Piece SpecialistA player a team relies on to take or defend dead-ball restarts — free-kicks, corners, penalties, and serves — with practiced accuracy and composure.
- Utility playerA dependable, versatile player who can competently fill several different positions as the team needs, rather than specialising in just one.
Officiating
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- Video ReviewVideo review lets officials re-examine footage of a contested moment to confirm or overturn a close call — a goal, a line, a foul — an aid used across many sports.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- AdvantageIn many sports, officials let play continue after a foul when stopping would help the offender, so the fouled team keeps the advantage it has gained.
Positions
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- Small forwardThe small forward is a versatile wing player in basketball who can score inside and outside while also defending multiple positions.
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- CenterThe center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team, playing near the basket to score inside, rebound, and protect the rim.
- PivotThe pivot is a handball attacker who plays close to the opposition defence, setting screens and looking for chances near the goal area.
Learning paths
- Learn FootballA structured, educational learning path for football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn FutsalA structured, educational learning path for futsal — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn HandballA structured, educational learning path for handball — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn American FootballA structured, educational learning path for american football — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.
- Learn TennisA structured, educational learning path for tennis — from the rules to skills, techniques, tactics and training.