Can a Penalty Taker Score From a Rebound Off the Post

What are the official FIFA Laws of the Game regarding ball contact during a penalty kick?

The Laws of the Game dictate that the penalty kicker must initiate movement toward the ball and strike it forward. Once the ball is in play, the kicker is forbidden from making a second touch until another player has made contact with the ball. This restriction prevents the taker from using the frame of the goal to set up their own follow-up shot. For instance, if a player strikes the ball against the crossbar and it bounces back to their feet, they cannot legally strike it into the net.

A notable nuance involves the goalkeeper. If the goalkeeper touches the ball, even if they don't hold it, the kicker is immediately cleared to play the ball again. This creates a live scenario where the kicker can legally pursue the rebound, provided the goalkeeper’s intervention occurred after the initial strike.

What constitutes a 'touch' by the goalkeeper in the context of a penalty kick rebound?

A goalkeeper’s touch is defined as any physical contact between the ball and the keeper’s body or equipment that alters the ball's trajectory or speed.

• Fingertips: A slight deflection by the goalkeeper’s fingers counts as a touch, rendering the ball live for any player, including the original kicker.
• Gloves: Contact with the keeper's gloves is sufficient to satisfy the requirement for a second touch, regardless of whether the keeper maintains possession.
• Shinguards: Even a glancing blow off the keeper’s leg or shinguard constitutes a legal touch that resets the restriction on the penalty taker.
• Torso: Any contact with the keeper’s chest or midsection effectively ends the initial penalty phase and allows for open play.

How is the game restarted if a penalty taker touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player?

Yes, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team at the exact location where the illegal second touch occurred. If this violation happens inside the goal area, the referee moves the restart to the nearest point on the goal area line parallel to the goal line.

What is the referee's role in determining if a penalty kick has been completed?

The referee determines the completion of a penalty kick based on the movement of the ball and the actions of the participants. A kick is considered complete when the ball stops moving, goes out of play, or when the referee stops play for an offense. For example, if the ball hits the goalkeeper and stays in the field of play, the kick is technically over, and the game continues as normal. The referee must monitor the kicker’s approach and the goalkeeper’s positioning to ensure neither commits an infraction before the ball is struck.

One exception occurs during a penalty shootout at the end of a match. In this specific scenario, the ball is considered dead the moment it hits the frame or the keeper, and no follow-up play is permitted regardless of where the ball lands.

How do the rules for penalty kicks differ from those for free kicks regarding consecutive touches?

No, free kick rules allow a player to touch the ball again only after it has touched another player, just like a penalty. However, the distinction is that a penalty kick is a specific restart where the ball is dead until the referee signals for the kicker to proceed.

What are the potential disciplinary consequences for a player who violates the touch restrictions during a penalty kick?

The primary consequence for a double-touch violation during a penalty is the loss of the goal, even if the ball enters the net. The referee will stop play and award an indirect free kick to the defending team, effectively nullifying the scoring opportunity. A lot of people assume that the referee will issue a yellow card for this infraction, but the rules do not mandate a caution unless the player’s action is deemed to be unsporting behavior or a deliberate attempt to deceive the officials during the kick.