Penalty Shootout Rules: A Referee's Guide

# Penalty Shootout Rules: A Comprehensive Referee Guide

Key Takeaways:

* Only players on the field at the final whistle (including extra time) are eligible to take penalties.

* The referee chooses the goal and decides if the surface is playable.

* The order of penalty takers does not need to be pre-determined, but must alternate teams.

Penalty shootouts, or kicks from the penalty mark (KFPM), are a dramatic way to decide a drawn match. As a referee, understanding the precise procedures is crucial. This guide will break down the Laws of the Game relating to KFPM, covering everything from eligible players to the correct order of kicks.

Eligibility and Procedure for Kicks From the Penalty Mark

Before the shootout even begins, you, as the referee, have several important responsibilities as outlined in Law 10.

Selecting the Goal

Law 10 states that you must choose the goal at which the kicks will be taken. This decision should consider safety and the condition of the goal and surrounding area. Is one goal area excessively muddy or damaged? Choose the other goal if it offers a fairer surface.

Determining Playability

You must also ensure the goal and the field are playable. If, during the shootout, conditions deteriorate significantly at the chosen goal, you have the authority to temporarily suspend play and move the shootout to the other goal if conditions there are safe and fair.

Eligible Players

Only players who are on the field of play at the final whistle of the match (including extra time, if applicable) are eligible to take part in the shootout. Any player who has been sent off during the match is not permitted to take a penalty. Law 10 states this clearly.

* Injury: If a player is injured during the shootout and cannot continue, you must allow a teammate to take their place. If no substitutes are available, the team must play with one less player.

* Expulsion: If a player is sent off during the shootout, that team must reduce their numbers accordingly; the player cannot be replaced. The opposing team does not have to reduce their numbers to match.

Goalkeepers

All eligible players, including any substitutes, can act as the goalkeeper during the shootout if their team's designated goalkeeper is unable to continue (e.g., due to injury). A team must always have a goalkeeper.

The Kicks: Order, Execution, and Re-Kicks

Once the eligible players are confirmed and the goal selected, the shootout can begin. Law 10 outlines the rules for the kicks themselves.

Order of Kicks

The captains toss a coin to decide which team takes the first kick. The kicks then alternate between the two teams. It is not necessary for the referee to know the order of penalty takers in advance, but the players must alternate.

Completion of Kicks

Each team takes five kicks. If, before both teams have taken five kicks, one team has scored more goals than the other team could possibly score with their remaining kicks, the shootout ends, and the team with more goals is declared the winner.

Equalising After Five Kicks

If, after both teams have taken five kicks, the score is still level, the shootout continues with one kick at a time per team until one team scores and the other team misses. This is often referred to as "sudden death". The same order of players does not need to be maintained in this phase, but all eligible players must take a kick before any player can take a second kick.

Re-Kicks

A kick is re-taken only if the goalkeeper commits an infringement and the kick is missed. Infringements by the kicker result in a missed kick. If both the kicker and goalkeeper commit an infringement at the same time, the kick is missed for the kicker and a yellow card is issued for the goalkeeper. Law 14 describes these scenarios.

Example: A player takes a penalty kick, and as the ball is in flight, a teammate enters the penalty area. The kick is successful. What should the referee do?

* In this case, the Laws of the Game state the kick should be retaken. As an assistant referee, this is something I would bring to the attention of the referee.

Infringements During Kicks From the Penalty Mark

Managing infringements is a critical aspect of refereeing a penalty shootout. Law 14 dictates how to handle various scenarios.

Goalkeeper Infringements

The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, between the goalposts, facing the kicker, until the ball is kicked. If the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and the kick is missed, the kick is retaken. If the kick is scored, the goal stands.

Kicker Infringements

The kicker must not feint to kick the ball once they have completed their run-up. If the kicker infringes the Laws of the Game, the kick is missed, and a yellow card is issued to the kicker.

Teammate Infringements

Teammates of the kicker and the goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, and inside the centre circle until the ball is in play. If a teammate of the kicker infringes and the kick is successful, the kick is retaken. If a teammate of the goalkeeper infringes and the kick is missed, the kick is retaken. If a teammate infringes and the kick is successful, the goal is awarded.

Practical Scenarios and Referee Decisions

Here are some practical scenarios you might encounter during a penalty shootout, and how you should handle them according to the Laws of the Game.

Scenario 1: A Player is Sent Off During the Shootout

A player receives a second yellow card during the penalty shootout and is sent off. How does this affect the shootout?

* The player is excluded from taking any further penalties. The team must continue with one fewer player. The opposing team does not have to reduce their numbers.

Scenario 2: Goalkeeper Injury

The goalkeeper is injured during the shootout and cannot continue. The team has used all their substitutes. What happens?

* Any eligible player on the field can replace the injured goalkeeper. If no other players are available, the team must continue with one less player.

Scenario 3: Interference from an Outside Agent

As a player is about to take a penalty, a dog runs onto the field and distracts the kicker, causing them to miss. What should you do?

* Stop play and remove the dog from the field. Allow the player to retake the penalty kick.

Scenario 4: Unsporting Behaviour

Before a penalty kick is taken, a player from the non-kicking team attempts to distract the kicker by shouting at them. What action should you take?

* Issue a caution (yellow card) to the player for unsporting behaviour. Allow the penalty to proceed as normal.

FAQ: Common Questions About Penalty Shootouts

Can a player who was substituted back onto the field take a penalty?

No. Only players who were on the field at the final whistle (including extra time) are eligible to take penalties. Players who have been substituted off and not returned to the field are not eligible.

What happens if a team refuses to continue the shootout?

If a team refuses to continue the shootout, the referee should abandon the shootout and declare the opposing team the winner. The referee should report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

What if the lights go out during a penalty shootout?

If the floodlights fail during a penalty shootout, you should suspend the shootout temporarily. If the lights cannot be restored within a reasonable time (as determined by you), the match should be abandoned, and the competition rules will determine the outcome.

Do yellow cards carry over into the penalty shootout?

No. Yellow cards issued during the match (including extra time) are not carried over into the penalty shootout. However, players can still receive yellow cards during the shootout itself for offences such as unsporting behaviour.

Mastering the Laws of the Game regarding penalty shootouts is essential for any referee. By understanding the procedures, player eligibility, and potential infringements, you can ensure a fair and well-managed conclusion to a drawn match.

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