The Penalty Kick

A penalty kick is awarded against a team which commits one of the ten offences for which a direct free kick is awarded, inside its own penalty area and while the ball is in play. A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick. Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time.

Position of the Ball and the Players
The ball: Is placed on the penalty mark. The player taking the penalty kick:is properly identified
The defending goalkeeper: remains on his goal line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts until the ball has been kicked
The players other than the kicker are located: inside the field of play.Outside the penalty area. Behind the penalty mark at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the penalty mark

The Referee
does not signal for a penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the Law decides when a penalty kick has been completed

Procedure
the player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward. He does not play the ball a second time until it has touched another player the ball is in play when it is kicked and moves forward. When a penalty kick is taken during the normal course of play, or time has been extended at half-time or full time to allow a penalty kick to be taken or retaken, a goal is awarded if, before passing between the goalposts and under the crossbar: the ball touches either or both of the goalposts and/or the crossbar, and/or the goalkeeper

Infringements/Sanctions
If the referee gives the signal for a penalty kick to be taken and, before the ball is in play, one of the following situations occurs: The player taking the penalty kick infringes the Laws of the Game: the referee allows the kick to proceed if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken

The goalkeeper infringes the Laws of the Game: the referee allows the kick to proceed if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken A team-mate of the player taking the kick enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.5 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark: the referee allows the kick to proceed if the ball enters the goal, the kick is retaken if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is not retaken. A team-mate of the goalkeeper enters the penalty area or moves in front of or within 9.15 m (10 yds) of the penalty mark: the referee allows the kick to proceed if the ball enters the goal, a goal is awarded
if the ball does not enter the goal, the kick is retaken. A player of both the defending team and the attacking team infringe the Laws of the Game: the kick is retaken
If, after the penalty kick has been taken: The kicker touches the ball a second time (except with his hands) before it has touched another player: an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. The kicker deliberately handles the ball before it has touched another player: a direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team, the kick to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred * (see preface)
The ball is touched by an outside agent as it moves forward: the kick is retaken. The ball rebounds into the field of play from the goalkeeper, the crossbar or the goalposts, and is then touched by an outside agent: the referee stops play. Play is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where it touched the outside agent

The Field of Play - Here you can find almost all official Rules about Soccer. One of these important rule is the definiton of the Field that is used to play Soccer. Here are the detailed information.

The Ball - The ball is: spherical made of leather or other suitable material of a circumference of not more than 70 cm (28 ins) and not less than 6 8 cm (27 ins) not more than 450 g (16 oz) in weight and not less than 410 g (14 oz) at the start of the match of a pressure equal to 0.6 - 1.1 atmosphere (600 - 1100 g/cm2) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in 15.6 lbs/sq in). Looking for other technical Information?

The Number of Players - A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than seven players. Looking for more information?

The Players' Equipment - Safety: A player must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewellery). Want to get more information?

The Referee - The Authority of the Referee: Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match to which he has been appointed. Want to read more about the Refree Rules?

The Assistant Referees - Two assistant referees are appointed whose duties, subject to the decision of the referee, are to indicate: when the whole of the ball has passed out of the field of play which side is entitled to a corner kick, goal kick or throw-in, when a player may be penalised for being in an offside position etc. Do you look for more information?

Duration of the Match - The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two participating teams. Any agreement to alter the periods of play (for example to reduce each half to 40 minutes because of insufficient light) must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition rules. Do you want to read more about official soccer rules? That is the right adress!

The Start and Restart of Play - A coin is tossed and the team which wins the toss decides which goal it will attack in the first half of the match. The other team takes the kick-off to start the match. Need some more information?

The Ball In and Out of Play - The ball is out of play when: it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line whether on the ground or in the air play has been stopped by the referee. For more Information...

The Method of Scoring - A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal. Want some more information?

Offside Rule - Offside Position: It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position. A player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. Looking for more information?

Fouls and Misconduct - A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offences in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: kicks or attempts to kick an opponent ,trips or attempts to trip an opponent etc. For more information...

Free Kicks - For both direct and indirect free kicks, the ball must be stationary when the kick is taken and the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until it has touched another player. For more information...

The Throw-In - A throw-in is a method of restarting play. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. Are you lookinf gor more information about this Rule?

The Goal Kick - A goal kick is a method of restarting play. A goal may be scored directly from a goal kick, but only against the opposing team. For more information...

The Corner Kick - A corner kick is awarded when: the whole of the ball, having last touched a player of the defending team, passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, and a goal is not scored in accordance with Law 10. Looking for more Information?

Determine the Winner of a Match - The Golden Goal and taking kicks from the penalty mark are methods of determining the winning team where competition rules require there to be a winning team after a match has been drawn. Are you looking for more information?