Penalty Area Article Index for
Penalty
Website Links For
Penalty
 

Information About

Penalty Area




Previously, penalty areas extended the width of the field, but were reduced to their current dimensions in 1901 .


FUNCTIONS


Fouls punishable by a Direct Free Kick (i.e. handling the ball and most physical fouls), committed by the defensive team within the penalty area, may be penalised by a penalty kick. A penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark.

The penalty area has other functions, including:
  • Goalkeeper s: The area delimiting the area in which a goalkeeper may legally handle the ball;

  • Goal Kick s: The ball is not in play until it has left the area, and opposing players must remain outside the area until this time;

  • Defensive Direct Free Kick s and Indirect Free Kick s: Again, the ball is not in play until it has left the area, and opposing players must remain outside the area until this time;

  • Taking of penalty kicks: players other than the kicker and the goalkeeper must remain outside the area (and also the penalty arc) until the kick has been taken.



SEE ALSO