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A penalty kick is a type of free kick in association football (soccer), taken from twelve yards (approximately eleven metres) out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal. more...

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A penalty kick is performed during normal play. Similar kicks are made in a penalty shootout to determine who progresses after a tied match; though similar in procedure these are not penalty kicks and are governed by different rules.

Award

A penalty kick may be awarded when a defending player commits a foul punishable by a direct free kick (a so-called penal foul) against an opponent, within their own penalty area (commonly known as "the box" or "18 yard box"). Note that it is the location of the offence — and not the position of the ball — that defines whether a foul is punishable by a penalty kick or direct free kick, provided the ball is in play.

The offending player who, in the referee's eyes fouled to cause the penalty, is subject to punishment. If the foul is a minor infringement, for example accidentally tripping a player, then no card is required. However, in the eyes of the law, if a player fouls the attacker whilst the attacker is in clear control of the ball and in a goal scoring opportunity, the offender can be given a straight red card. A yellow card may be given if the attacker is not clearly in control of the ball or does not have a clear chance to score. These minor details have to be assessed by the referee and he/she has the final decision on the matter.

As penalty kicks so often result in a goal, referees' decisions to award or not are frequently subject to elevated levels of protest from both teams, as well as intense scrutiny afterwards. Though frowned upon, players may try to influence this decision; it is not uncommon for attacking players to go to ground at minimal contact from defenders, or even to "dive" theatrically without a single touch occurring. A blatant attempt at "simulation" warrants a yellow card.

Procedure

The penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark, which is a midline spot 12 yards (10.8 metres) from the goal. The penalty kick taker must be clearly identified to the referee.

All players other than the defending goalkeeper and the penalty taker must be outside the penalty area, behind the penalty mark, behind the ball, and at least ten yards from the ball (i.e. outside the penalty arc) until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper must remain between the goalposts on the goal-line facing the ball until the ball is kicked, but may move from side to side along the goal-line.

After the referee signals for the kick to be taken, the kicker must kick the ball in a forward direction (not necessarily at the goal, however this is almost always the case). The ball is in play once it has been kicked and moved, and from this point other players may enter the penalty area and play continues as normal, however most often a goal has already been scored.

Read more at Wikipedia.org