penalty kick
1 of 1noun/ˈpɛnəlti kɪk/
Forms:penalty kicks
1
a direct free kick taken from the penalty spot, awarded after a foul in the penalty area
A penalty kick in soccer is awarded when a defending player commits a foul or handball inside their own penalty area. The kick is taken from the penalty spot, which is 12 yards or 11 meters away from the goal. Only the goalkeeper is allowed to defend the shot, and all other players must stay outside the penalty area until the kick is taken. The player taking the penalty kick tries to score by placing the ball into the goal while the goalkeeper attempts to block it. Penalty kicks are a critical opportunity to score.
- He scored the winning goal with a penalty kick.
- The penalty kick hit the crossbar.
- She converted the penalty kick with ease.
- The goalkeeper saved the penalty kick.
- She confidently took the penalty kick.