Penalty Kicker Slips and Touches the Ball Twice
Penalty kicks are high-pressure moments where turf conditions or poor footing often lead to accidental slips. While a player might feel the second touch was unintentional, the laws of the game prioritize the integrity of the restart. Referees must strictly enforce the rule against double touches to maintain fairness, as a second touch essentially serves as an unauthorized second opportunity to control the ball.
How does the referee determine if a second touch was accidental or intentional?
Referees ignore the kicker's intent entirely because the Laws of the Game rely solely on the objective occurrence of the second contact.
- Physical contact is the only metric used to judge the violation, rendering the player's mental state irrelevant to the final decision.
- Visual evidence from the referee’s vantage point determines if the ball moved or changed trajectory after the initial strike.
- Match officials focus exclusively on the sequence of events to maintain consistency across all levels of play, from grassroots matches to professional leagues.
- Technical rules dictate that the moment the ball is touched twice, the play is penalized regardless of whether the player slipped or intended to dribble.
Quick facts
| Scenario | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Kicker touches ball twice | Indirect free kick |
| Ball hits post and returns | Play continues |
| Kicker slips before contact | Play continues |
| Goal scored after double touch | Goal disallowed |
Under what circumstances is a penalty kick retaken due to an infringement by the kicker?
A penalty kick is retaken only if an infringement occurs before the ball is in play, such as when a teammate of the kicker enters the penalty area too early. If the kicker performs an illegal feinting maneuver during the run-up, the referee stops play and orders a retake. For example, if a player stops completely after reaching the ball to deceive the goalkeeper, the referee must penalize this unsporting behavior with a caution and a retake.
One notable nuance exists regarding the goalkeeper’s positioning. If the goalkeeper moves off the goal line before the ball is kicked and a goal is not scored, the referee may order a retake if the goalkeeper’s early movement clearly impacted the kicker. However, if the kicker commits a technical foul, such as a double touch, the opportunity for a retake is forfeited immediately.
Does a slip by the penalty taker constitute a restart of play or a dead-ball situation?
No, a slip does not restart play; it creates a dead-ball situation the moment the second touch occurs. According to Law 14, the ball remains in play only until the illegal contact happens, at which point the referee must stop the match and award the restart to the defending team.
What is the procedure for awarding an indirect free kick following a technical violation during a spot kick?
The referee signals the indirect free kick by pointing an arm upward, holding this position until the kick has been taken and the ball touches another player or goes out of play. The defending team takes this kick from the exact spot where the second touch occurred. A lot of people assume the opposing team gets to move the ball to the center circle, but the rules strictly require the restart to happen at the location of the infringement, even if it is inside the penalty area.
Can a goal be awarded if the ball enters the net after an illegal second touch by the kicker?
No, a goal cannot be awarded because the ball becomes dead the instant the illegal second touch occurs. Even if the ball enters the net, the violation nullifies the entire sequence, and the referee must award an indirect free kick to the defending team instead of a goal.
What people often get wrong
- Assuming intent matters. Referees do not distinguish between accidental slips and intentional dribbling; any second touch by the kicker results in a violation.
- Thinking the ball remains in play. Once a double touch occurs, the ball is dead, and the game cannot continue until the restart occurs.
- Expecting a retake. A double touch is a technical infringement by the kicker, which results in a turnover rather than a second attempt at the penalty.
Maintaining Order During Penalty Kicks
Focus on the initial contact to make sure the ball is struck cleanly without interference from a slipping foot. If a double touch occurs, accept the referee's decision for an indirect free kick and reset your defensive positioning immediately.