What is a penalty in soccer? Explaining rules around 'spot-kicks' and shootouts in football

From in-game spot-kicks to those nail-biting shootouts at major tournaments, penalties are a key part of any soccer match.

Converting a shot from 12 yards out while unchallenged would seem like the simplest thing in the world for elite-level footballers, but the pressure of these situations — especially in the biggest tournaments — can do funny things to even the very best goal-scorers.

Whether it's in regular time of a league match, or a shootout to decide the FIFA World Cup final, penalties are nerve-racking moments for players and fans, and whether they are scored or missed can have a huge impact on the outcome of a game.

The Sporting News explains the laws around 'spot-kicks' below.

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What is a penalty in soccer?

A penalty in soccer is when a player is granted a shot at goal from the penalty spot. No opposition player can intervene to block the penalty, but the goalkeeper can attempt to make a save.

Penalties, or spot-kicks, are taken from the penalty spot, a circular mark 12 yards from the centre of the goal line and equidistant between the sidelines. Apart from the taker and the opposing goalkeeper, all other players must stay outside the penalty area until the kick is taken. If they don't, referees will often signal an encroachment offence, which means the kick must be retaken.

Penalties can be taken in two separate contexts: as punishment for a foul inside the penalty box during open play, or to decide the result of a knockout match after extra time.

In regular play, a penalty is awarded if an infringement is committed inside the penalty area by the defending team. This could be for a foul on an attacking player or a handball offence.

Shootouts are reserved for tournament football. In competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, games in the knockout phase are single-elimination, which means one team must progress and one must be eliminated. If a game ends level after 90 minutes, extra time is played; if the scores remain level after this extra period, a penalty shootout is called.

They're a test of nerve, accuracy, wit and even fitness. Mind games play a big role and some takers prefer to avoid eye contact with the opposing goalkeeper, with the pressure generally greater on the player taking the penalty than the one trying to save it.

Goalkeepers get their opportunity to be the outright hero. They pride themselves on penalty saves and though the odds are stacked against them, an outstanding performance between the sticks often decides the result.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the world's leading penalty-takers, while England keeper Jordan Pickford is recognised as a competent shootout performer.

Penalty shootout rules and how they work

Blind luck is a key factor right from the start. A coin toss decides at which end of the stadium the kicks are taken (this can be changed by the referee for safety reasons if necessary), and another determines which team has the first kick.

With the teams waiting at watching from the centre circle, the first player makes the long walk to the penalty box — one of football's iconic sights.

Teams take turns for the first 10 penalties. Should one side build an unassailable lead, they win the shootout. If the scores are level after five penalties each, we go to sudden death, whereby the team behind in the shootout at the end of each round is the loser.

Goalkeepers must remain on their goal line until the ball has been kicked — a rule that has seen many penalties re-taken in the Premier League in recent times. Stars such as Paul Pogba were forced to change their penalty style when the rules were adjusted to ban takers feinting once they have completed their run-up.

How many penalty kicks are taken in shootouts?

If the first 10 penalties (five each) of the shootout don't find a winner, the result will be decided by sudden death, in which penalties are taken until one team scores and the other misses.

That means it's possible for the whole team, including goalkeepers, to take penalties. Players could even be required to take more than one spot-kick, but only after all other available members of their team — in other words, the players who were on the field at the end of extra time — have already taken one.

Longest penalty shootouts in soccer

According to Guinness World Records , the longest penalty shootout in professional football history took place at the 2005 Namibian Cup final. KK Palace eventually triumphed 17-16 against Civics after 48 penalties were taken following a 2-2 draw after extra time. Some players were required to take three spot-kicks each in a shootout that lasted nearly as long as the match.

The longest shootouts in World Cup history saw 12 penalties taken. Both ended 5-4, with West Germany holding their nerve against France in 1982 and Sweden beating Romania in 1994.

Manchester United's Europa League final defeat to Villarreal in 2021 went much longer when goalkeeper David de Gea finally missed with the score 11-10 in the shootout.

However, a new UEFA competition record was set in Europa League qualifying for the 2024/25 season. Ajax defeated Panathinaikos 13-12 after a 34-kick shootout that lasted 25 minutes.

Famous World Cup penalty shootouts

Only three World Cup finals have ever been decided by the cruel drama of penalties, both involving Italy.

Brazil lifted the trophy at USA 1994 when Roberto Baggio missed the crucial spot-kick. Only 12 years later, Italy reversed their role, with Fabio Grosso going wild after breaking French hearts in 2006.

In 2022, Argentina prevailed against France in a shootout after a dramatic 3-3 draw in the final in Qatar. Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed in the shootout for France as Lionel Messi got his hands on the most prestigious trophy in football for the first time.

England have a miserable history with penalties, going home following shootout losses to West Germany at Italia 90, Argentina at France 98 and Portugal in 2006.

After all that pain, victory over Colombia on penalties at the last World Cup was sweet relief for the Three Lions. Of course, they then lost the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley on penalties against Italy.

Netherlands' nail-biting quarterfinal victory over Costa Rice in 2014 was a fine example of goalkeeping heroics in a shootout.

Tim Krul replaced goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen with seconds remaining in extra time and justified coach Louis van Gaal's huge gamble with a stunning performance, featuring some memorable mind games.