Penalty shootouts are a method of determining the winner of a football (soccer) match when the score is tied after regulation time and extra time. Each team takes turns shooting penalty kicks from a designated spot on the field, usually 12 yards away from the goal line.
Here are some key facts and rules about penalty shootouts:
Penalty shootouts usually consist of five penalty kicks for each team. If the score is still tied after the first five kicks, the shootout continues in a sudden-death format, where the first team to miss a penalty loses.
The team that wins the coin toss gets to choose whether to take the first or second penalty kick.
The goalkeeper must remain on the goal line until the penalty kick is taken. They are allowed to move along the goal line, but cannot move forward until the ball is struck.
The ball must be kicked forward and cannot be touched by any player, including the kicker, once it has been kicked.
If the goalkeeper touches the ball before it crosses the goal line, the kick is retaken. If the kicker touches the ball twice, the kick is also retaken.
If the ball hits the post or crossbar and bounces back into play, the kick is still considered to be in play and the game continues.
If a player is injured or sent off during the shootout, the team must choose a new kicker from the players who are still on the field.
If the score is still tied after the sudden-death round, the shootout continues in a “ABAB” format, where each team takes one penalty kick at a time until one team misses and the other scores.
Penalty shootouts can be a nerve-wracking experience for players and fans alike, but they are a crucial part of the game and often provide some of the most dramatic moments in football history.
