A penalty shootout, officially called “kicks from the penalty mark” in the Laws of the Game, decides a knockout soccer match that is still tied after normal time and, usually, extra time. Each team takes five kicks, alternating, from the penalty mark against the opposing goalkeeper. The team with more goals after five kicks each wins. If they are still level, the shootout moves to sudden death, one kick each, until one team scores and the other misses. Goals scored in the shootout do not count toward the match score; they only decide who advances.
This guide explains how a shootout is organised, the key rules for kickers and goalkeepers, who can take kicks, strategy, famous features of shootouts, and common misunderstandings.
How a shootout works, step by step
- Choosing the goal: the referee tosses a coin to decide which goal is used, unless conditions make one goal unsafe.
- Choosing the order: a second coin toss decides which team kicks first.
- Five kicks each: teams alternate kicks until each has taken five, unless one team cannot catch up earlier.
- Early finish: if one team has scored more than the other could reach with all its remaining kicks, the shootout ends.
- Sudden death: if level after five each, teams take one kick each until one scores and the other does not.
- Everyone kicks before repeats: all eligible players must take a kick before any player takes a second.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Eligible players | Only players on the field, or temporarily off it for injury or equipment, at the end of the match can take part |
| Equal numbers | If one team has more players, it must reduce its numbers to match the other team before the shootout starts |
| One touch | The kicker cannot play the ball again; there are no rebounds |
| Kick forward | The ball must be kicked forward from the penalty mark |
| Goalkeeper position | The goalkeeper must stay on the goal line, between the posts, with at least part of one foot touching or in line with the line when the ball is kicked |
| Feinting | Feinting during the run-up is allowed, but feinting to kick once the run-up is complete is an offence |
| Other players | Stay in the centre circle, except the kicker and the two goalkeepers |
Where everyone stands
All eligible players except the kicker and the two goalkeepers must stay inside the centre circle. The goalkeeper of the kicking team waits on the field outside the penalty area, behind the goal line, where the goal line meets the penalty area boundary. Only the kicker and the defending goalkeeper are allowed in the penalty area during each kick.
Replacing a goalkeeper
If a goalkeeper is injured during the shootout and cannot continue, they may be replaced by an eligible player or, in competitions that allow it and if the team has not used all its substitutes, by a named substitute. Other players cannot be replaced during a shootout.
Strategy for kickers
Most coaches choose their five most reliable penalty takers and decide the order carefully. Some put their best kicker first to set the tone, while others save them for the fifth kick when pressure is highest. Kickers usually pick a side before stepping up and commit to it, using either placement into the corners or power. Research on penalties suggests that kicks placed high and near the posts are hardest to save, but they also carry more risk of missing the target.
Strategy for goalkeepers
Goalkeepers study opponents’ previous penalties, look at run-up angles and body shape, and try to influence the kicker by delaying, moving on the line within the rules or holding the ball before handing it over. Many goalkeepers dive early to one side, because waiting until the ball is struck gives little time to reach well-placed kicks.
A brief history
Penalty shootouts were introduced by the IFAB, the body that writes the Laws of the Game, in 1970 as a fairer alternative to drawing lots or replaying matches. The first shootout at a men’s FIFA World Cup came in 1982. Shootouts have since decided major finals, including World Cup finals and continental championships. An alternative order where teams would kick in an ABBA pattern, similar to tennis tie-break serving, was trialled but not adopted.
For the exact procedure, refer to the IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 10, and the competition rules that apply, which may set specific procedures for substitutions and extra time.
Common misunderstandings
- Shootout goals count in the match score: they do not; the match is recorded as a draw decided on penalties.
- Kickers can follow up rebounds: they cannot; each kick is a single attempt.
- Coaches can bring on new players: only players eligible at the end of the match can take part, except goalkeeper replacement in limited cases.
- The same player can kick twice in a row: every eligible player must kick before anyone repeats.
The psychology of the shootout
Shootouts are often described as a test of nerve as much as skill. Kickers must deal with the long walk from the centre circle, the crowd and the knowledge that a miss could end their team’s tournament. Research on penalties has suggested that pressure increases when a kick must be scored to avoid defeat, and that players who rush their preparation tend to perform worse. Many teams now practise shootouts and prepare routines so players feel familiar with the situation.
How teams prepare
- Choosing takers: coaches select players with good technique and composure, often confirming volunteers late in extra time.
- Practising routines: kickers rehearse the same run-up and placement in training.
- Goalkeeper research: analysts give goalkeepers information on opponents’ preferred sides.
- Substitutions: some coaches bring on a specialist penalty taker or goalkeeper just before the end of extra time, where competition rules allow.
- Support: teammates stay together in the centre circle to encourage each kicker.
Shootouts in other competitions and levels
Many youth and amateur competitions use shootouts to decide drawn knockout matches without playing extra time, and some leagues use them to award bonus points in drawn league games. The same Law 10 procedure usually applies, though youth competitions may adapt details such as the number of kicks. Check competition rules before match day so players and coaches know what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
How many penalties are taken in a shootout?
Five per team to start, then one each in sudden death until there is a winner.
Can a goalkeeper take a penalty in a shootout?
Yes. Goalkeepers are eligible players and may take kicks.
What happens if the goalkeeper leaves the line early?
If the goalkeeper offends and the kick is missed or saved, the kick is usually retaken, and the goalkeeper may be cautioned under the current laws.
