When Is a Penalty Kick Retaken in Soccer

What specific infractions by the goalkeeper necessitate a retake of a penalty kick?

A goalkeeper triggers a retake by leaving the goal line before the ball is kicked, provided the ball enters the net or rebounds off the frame or keeper. Another infraction occurs if the keeper touches the goalposts or net while the ball is in motion, causing them to vibrate or move. Many people assume the goalkeeper must remain glued to the center of the line, but they are free to move laterally along the line as long as one foot maintains contact until the exact moment of impact.

How do the actions of attacking players encroaching into the penalty area before the kick is taken affect the outcome?

Encroachment occurs when a player enters the penalty area or arc before the ball is in play. If an attacking player enters the area and the ball subsequently enters the goal, the referee must order a retake. For instance, if a teammate of the kicker sprints into the box a split second before the strike and then follows up to tap in a rebound, the goal is disallowed and the kick is retaken.

However, the nuance lies in the impact of the movement. If an attacker encroaches but the ball is saved or misses the target, play generally continues unless that specific player interferes with a defender’s ability to clear the ball. Referees prioritize whether the movement gained an unfair advantage, meaning a minor step over the line that doesn't influence the play often goes unpunished by the officials.

Under what circumstances does a simultaneous infringement by both the attacking and defending teams result in a retake?

A retake is mandatory when both teams commit an offense simultaneously, effectively canceling out the individual infractions.

• Double encroachment: When one player from each side enters the penalty area before the ball is struck, the referee restarts the sequence.
• Goalkeeper movement: If the keeper steps off the line while an attacker simultaneously encroaches, the neutral outcome is a retake.
• Simultaneous foul: If a defender holds an attacker while the attacker is simultaneously encroaching, the referee resets the kick.
• Technical error: When both sides violate the entry rules, the restart ensures neither team gains an advantage from their respective illegal positioning.

Does the ball hitting the goal frame or goalkeeper and rebounding back into play change the rules regarding player encroachment?

No, the rules regarding encroachment remain consistent regardless of whether the ball hits the woodwork or the goalkeeper. If an attacking player encroaches and the ball rebounds into play, the referee must stop the action and order a retake if the ball did not enter the net.

What is the procedure for a retake if the ball bursts or becomes defective during the penalty kick sequence?

If the ball bursts or loses pressure during the kick, the referee must stop play and order a retake, regardless of whether the ball crossed the line. This is treated as an external equipment failure rather than a player infraction. For example, if the ball hits the crossbar and splits open, the original kick is considered null, and the kicker gets another attempt with a new ball.

The only exception involves the timing of the failure. If the ball bursts after it has fully crossed the goal line and the referee has already signaled a goal, the score stands. The equipment failure must occur during the immediate flight or trajectory of the kick to necessitate a reset. If the ball is damaged before the kicker begins their run-up, the referee simply replaces it without needing to restart the entire sequence.

How does the referee determine if an illegal feint by the kicker warrants a retake versus an indirect free kick for the defending team?

Referees distinguish between illegal feinting by looking for a complete stop in the kicker's run-up once they have reached the ball, which warrants an indirect free kick for the defense.

Use these categories to judge if the kicker's motion was continuous or if they intentionally deceived the keeper after completing their approach.

Are there specific conditions under which a penalty kick awarded after the expiration of regulation time must be retaken?

A penalty kick awarded at the end of a half must be retaken if the ball fails to enter the goal or is saved due to an infraction.

• Time constraints: The referee extends the match duration specifically to allow the penalty to be completed under standard rules.
• Defensive foul: If the goalkeeper commits an offense, the kick is retaken even if the clock has officially expired.
• Attacker error: If the kicker encroaches and the goal is scored, the referee must disallow the goal and award an indirect free kick.
• Ball failure: A burst ball requires a replacement and a retake, even if the final whistle was scheduled to blow immediately.

What role does the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) play in identifying grounds for ordering a penalty kick to be retaken?

Yes, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews the goalkeeper's positioning and player encroachment for every penalty kick. In high-level matches, the VAR checks the 16.5-meter penalty area to make sure no player entered early, often using frame-by-frame analysis to confirm if the keeper's foot was on the line.