Penalty Shootout Rules in Football: A Clear Guide

Few moments in football are as tense as a penalty shootout. After extra time ends level in a knockout match, the game comes down to a series of kicks from twelve yards. Yet many viewers are unsure about the details: who can take a kick, what the goalkeeper is allowed to do, and what happens if the scores stay level.

This guide explains the shootout rules as set out in the Laws of the Game, in plain language.

When a Shootout Is Used

A shootout is not part of a normal league match. It is used only when a competition’s rules require a winner, such as in cup ties and tournament knockout rounds. Usually it follows 30 minutes of extra time, although some competitions go straight to penalties after 90 minutes.

Goals scored in the shootout do not count towards the match score or player goal tallies. The match is officially recorded as a draw decided on kicks from the penalty mark.

Before the First Kick

The referee first tosses a coin to choose which goal will be used, unless safety or pitch conditions make one end unsuitable. A second coin toss decides the order, and the team that wins it chooses whether to kick first or second.

Only players who were on the pitch at the end of play, including extra time, are eligible to take kicks. If one team has more players than the other, for example because of a red card, the team with more players must reduce its number to match. The captain informs the referee which players are excluded.

How the Kicks Are Taken

• Teams take kicks alternately.
• Each team takes five kicks unless the result is decided earlier.
• A shootout ends early if one team cannot catch up even with its remaining kicks.
• A player cannot take a second kick until every eligible player on the team, including the goalkeeper, has taken one.
• Each kick is a single attempt. There are no rebounds or follow-ups once the ball stops moving or goes out of play.

Sudden Death

If both teams have scored the same number after five kicks each, the shootout moves to sudden death. Teams continue to take one kick each. As soon as one team scores and the other misses in the same round, the shootout is over.

Sudden death can go on for many rounds. Once all eligible players have kicked, the order can start again, and it does not have to be the same order as before.

Rules for the Goalkeeper

The defending goalkeeper must stay on the goal line between the posts until the ball is kicked. They may move along the line, but at the moment of the kick at least part of one foot must be touching, or in line with, the goal line.

The goalkeeper must not touch the posts, crossbar or net, and must not distract the kicker unfairly. If the goalkeeper offends and the kick is missed or saved, it is retaken. If the kick is scored anyway, the goal stands.

A goalkeeper who is injured or sent off during the shootout can be replaced by an eligible teammate, or by a named substitute if the team has not used its full allocation, according to the competition rules.

Rules for the Kicker

The kicker must kick the ball forward and must not touch it again. Stopping or feinting once the run-up is complete is not allowed. Feinting during the run-up is permitted. If the kicker commits an offence, the kick is recorded as a miss.

Questions like these often come up when fans compare rules across tournaments. A general frequently asked questions page can be a convenient reference for site-related queries, while the official Laws of the Game remain the source for match rules.

Common Misunderstandings

• “The shootout score adds to the match result.” It does not; only the winner advancing is decided.
• “Substitutes can come on just for penalties.” Only players on the pitch at the end of play are eligible, apart from the goalkeeper replacement rule.
• “A saved kick can be followed up.” Each kick is one attempt only.

Conclusion

Penalty shootouts follow a clear structure: coin tosses, alternating kicks, five each, then sudden death. The rules on eligibility, goalkeeper position and kicker conduct keep the contest fair under enormous pressure. For more general sports reading and updates, visit the 9wicketsonline main page.