Aydın Tiryaki (2025)

The current penalty kick rule and the freedom it brings According to the current rules in football, a penalty kick can be taken by any of the 11 players on the pitch at that moment, including the goalkeeper. This situation gives teams a wide range of freedom in selecting the player for penalty kicks. However, it is open to debate how much this broad freedom contributes to the fairness and dynamics of the game.

The basis of the proposed rule change A rule change is proposed so that the player taking the penalty kick is determined by how the penalty occurred, rather than the team’s tactical preference. Accordingly, administering penalties arising from fouls inside the penalty area and those resulting from handballs should be handled differently.

Penalties resulting from a foul If a penalty occurs as a result of a foul committed inside the penalty area, it is proposed that the fouled player must take the penalty kick directly. For this rule to work, some exceptional situations must also be defined:

• If the fouled player is injured or has left the game, it is proposed that the substitute who replaces them takes the penalty.
• If the team has used all its substitution rights and it is medically impossible for the fouled player to continue, in this exceptional case, another player on the pitch should be allowed to take the penalty.

Penalties resulting from handballs However, the situation is different for penalties awarded due to an opponent’s handball inside the penalty area. Here, as in the current practice, any player on the team can continue to take the penalty kick. As an alternative and secondary method, having the attacking player who last touched the ball just before the infringement take the penalty could also be considered.

Comparison with the basketball rule This proposed rule bears great similarities to the successfully applied free-throw rule in basketball. In basketball, the fouled player taking the free throw themselves adds value to the fairness and excitement of the game. It is thought that adapting a similar rule to football could bring a new color and dynamism to the pitches.

Potential effects of the rule change and conclusion If the rule of the fouled player taking the penalty kick is successfully established in football, over time, applying this to foul shots in other areas of the pitch may come to the agenda. For example, for direct free kicks, the fouled player stepping up to the ball or making the first touch could be considered.

The concern that football might be harmed by excessive rule changes is understandable. However, it should not be forgotten that some rule changes in the past, such as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, have added value to football and positively affected the quality of the game. In conclusion, it is proposed that determining the player to take the penalty based on how the penalty was conceded should be discussed in a manner fitting the nature of football and tested without delay.

| aydintiryaki.org | YouTube | Aydın Tiryaki’nin Yazıları ve Videoları │Articles and Videos by Aydın Tiryaki | Bilgi Merkezi│Knowledge Hub  | ░ Penaltı Atışları İçin Yeni Bir Kural Önerisi │A New Rule Proposal for Penalty Kicks ░ 09.11.2025

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A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)