what causes a penalty kick in soccer

A penalty kick in soccer is awarded when the defending team commits a direct free-kick foul inside its own penalty area. Common triggers include tripping, pushing, holding, handball, or other illegal contact in the box.

How it works

• The foul must happen inside the penalty area.
• The attacking team gets a kick from the penalty spot.
• Only the kicker and goalkeeper are directly involved; everyone else stays outside the area until the kick is taken.

Simple example

If a defender trips an attacker inside the 18-yard box, the referee can award a penalty kick to the attacking team.

Shootout note

A penalty kick is different from a penalty shootout. A shootout only happens after a tied match needs a winner, while a penalty kick happens because of a foul during play.