Goalkeepers face almost the same positioning rule during a match penalty and a penalty shoot-out: remain on the goal line, face the kicker and keep at least part of one foot touching, in line with or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked. The procedures after the kick are different.
Match penalty or penalty shoot-out?
A penalty kick during the match is a restart under Law 14. The ball remains in normal play after the kick, so the goalkeeper, kicker and other players may react to a rebound once the ball is in play.
Penalties in a shoot-out occur after the match has ended under Law 10. Each kick is a separate attempt used to determine the winning team. The kicker cannot follow up a rebound, and other eligible players remain away from the penalty area.
Where must the goalkeeper stand?
Before the kick, the defending goalkeeper must be on the goal line, facing the kicker and between the goalposts. The goalkeeper may move sideways along the line.
At the moment the ball is kicked, at least part of one foot must be touching the goal line, in line with it or behind it. Both feet do not need to remain on the line. One foot may be in front when the other satisfies the requirement. Both feet completely in front of the line before the kick creates a goalkeeper offence.
Can the goalkeeper jump forward?
The goalkeeper may begin a dive or forward movement, provided at least part of one foot is still touching, aligned with or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked. After the ball is kicked, the goalkeeper may move forward without this restriction.
Timing is therefore decisive. A legal save can include substantial forward momentum immediately after the strike.
Can the goalkeeper touch the posts or net?
No. The goalkeeper must not unfairly distract the kicker by delaying the kick or touching the goalposts, crossbar or net. The frame and net must not be moving when the penalty is taken.
The goalkeeper may use ordinary movement, stance changes and arm movement while remaining within the Law. Behaviour intended primarily to unfairly delay or distract can be penalised.
What if the goalkeeper leaves the line early?
| Outcome after goalkeeper offence | Decision |
|---|---|
| Ball enters the goal | Goal awarded |
| Goalkeeper prevents the ball entering | Penalty retaken |
| Ball misses or rebounds from the frame | Retaken only if the goalkeeper’s offence clearly affected the kicker |
A goalkeeper offence is not automatically punished when the kicker simply shoots wide without being affected.
Warning and yellow-card procedure
If the goalkeeper’s offence causes the penalty to be retaken, the goalkeeper is warned for the first such offence in the game. A later offence that causes another retake results in a yellow card.
The warning is not itself a card. The subsequent caution can occur at the retake or at another penalty later in the match.
What if both goalkeeper and kicker offend?
During a match penalty, if the goalkeeper and kicker offend at the same time, the kicker is cautioned and the defending team receives an indirect free kick. Illegal feinting after completing the run-up is treated as the more serious offence.
In a shoot-out, a simultaneous offence is recorded as a missed kick and the kicker is cautioned.
Legal and illegal feinting
A kicker may feint during the run-up. Deliberately feinting to kick the ball after the run-up has been completed is illegal and results in a caution.
During the match, play restarts with an indirect free kick to the defending team. During a shoot-out, the kick is recorded as missed. A goalkeeper should continue reacting to the actual strike rather than assuming every pause is illegal.
Encroachment by other players
During a match penalty, all players except the kicker and goalkeeper must remain outside the penalty area and penalty arc, behind the penalty mark and at least 9.15 metres from it until the ball is in play.
Encroachment is penalised when it has a clear impact. An attacker can be penalised for clearly affecting the goalkeeper or becoming involved in the rebound. A defender can be penalised for clearly affecting the kicker or becoming involved in preventing a later scoring opportunity.
During a shoot-out, all eligible players except the kicker and two goalkeepers remain in the centre circle. The goalkeeper belonging to the kicker waits outside the penalty area on the goal line where it meets the penalty-area boundary.
Rebounds during a match penalty
The ball is in play when kicked and clearly moves. If the goalkeeper saves and the ball remains in play, any eligible player may challenge for the rebound.
The kicker cannot play the ball a second time until another player touches it. A rebound directly from the post or crossbar therefore cannot be played again by the kicker unless the goalkeeper or another player touched it first.
No rebound during a shoot-out
A shoot-out kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play or the referee stops play for an offence. No player follows up the rebound.
The ball may still enter after touching the goalkeeper, post or crossbar while it continues moving. The referee waits until the kick is completed before recording the result.
The 2026/27 accidental double-touch rule
If a shoot-out kicker accidentally kicks the ball with both feet or the ball immediately touches the non-kicking foot or leg, the kick is retaken when the ball enters and recorded as missed when it does not enter.
During a match penalty, a goal from that accidental double touch produces a retake; when the ball does not enter, the defending team receives an indirect free kick unless advantage is applied.
Who is eligible for a shoot-out?
Except for a permitted replacement of a goalkeeper unable to continue, only players who were on the field or temporarily off for a valid reason at the final whistle may participate.
If one team has more eligible players, it must reduce its number to match the opponent. Every eligible player must take one kick before any player takes a second. The order may change in later rounds and does not need to be submitted to the referee.
Can the goalkeeper take a penalty?
Yes. The goalkeeper is an eligible player and may take a kick. An eligible outfield player may also change places with the goalkeeper during the shoot-out.
The change must be clear to the referee, and the player acting as goalkeeper must wear distinguishable goalkeeper equipment.
What if the goalkeeper is injured during the shoot-out?
A goalkeeper unable to continue may be replaced by a named substitute when the team has not used its maximum permitted number, a player excluded to equalise the teams’ numbers or an eligible team-mate already participating.
The replaced goalkeeper takes no further part and cannot take a kick. If the original goalkeeper already took a kick, the replacement cannot kick until the next round.
What if the goalkeeper is sent off?
A goalkeeper sent off during the shoot-out must be replaced by an eligible player. The team does not introduce an ordinary substitute solely because the goalkeeper was sent off.
The referee does not abandon the shoot-out merely because a team falls below seven players after the match has ended.
Do match yellow cards carry into the shoot-out?
No. Warnings and yellow cards from the match, including extra time, are not carried forward into the shoot-out. Red cards remain effective, and a player sent off during the match is not eligible.
Goalkeeper shoot-out checklist
- Confirm the selected goal and inspect the line and surface.
- Stand between the posts and face the kicker.
- Keep at least part of one foot legally positioned until the strike.
- Avoid touching or moving the frame or net.
- React to the actual kick rather than the run-up rhythm alone.
- Wait for the referee to confirm the kick is completed.
- Know whether you are also expected to take a kick.
- Track any warning received for an earlier goalkeeper offence.
Common myths
- “Both feet must stay on the line.” Only part of one foot must satisfy the line requirement.
- “Any early movement means a retake.” The shot outcome and impact matter.
- “Every goalkeeper offence is a yellow card.” The first offence causing a retake normally brings a warning.
- “A shoot-out is part of the match.” It begins after the match has ended.
- “The goalkeeper cannot take a kick.” The goalkeeper is an eligible player.
- “A saved shoot-out kick can be followed up.” There is no rebound phase.
Frequently asked questions
Can a goalkeeper have one foot in front of the line?
Yes. At least part of the other foot must be touching, in line with or behind the goal line when the ball is kicked.
Is every early movement by the goalkeeper a retake?
No. A save after an offence is retaken, but a miss or frame rebound is retaken only when the offence clearly affected the kicker.
Can a goalkeeper be booked during a shoot-out?
Yes. The first goalkeeper offence causing a retake normally brings a warning; later such offences bring a yellow card.
Can the goalkeeper take a shoot-out kick?
Yes. The goalkeeper is eligible, and an eligible player may also change places with the goalkeeper.
Can an injured goalkeeper be substituted during a shoot-out?
Yes, under the special goalkeeper replacement conditions, including an unused named substitute or a player excluded to equalise numbers.
Official sources and version notes
- The IFAB Law 14: The Penalty Kick
- The IFAB Law 10: Determining the Outcome of a Match
- Changes to the Laws of the Game 2026/27
- The IFAB clarification concerning accidental penalty double touches
- Laws of the Game 2026/27 documents
This guide covers association football under the IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27. Competition-specific shoot-out arrangements and authorised modifications must be checked separately.