Goalkeeper Movement on Penalties – Referee Academy Lesson 35

Goalkeeper Movement on Penalties is one of the most debated areas of modern football because timing, movement and player positions all matter at the exact moment of the kick. Under IFAB Law 14, the referee must judge the kicker, the goalkeeper and any encroaching players in the same sequence.

How referees judge it

Referees start with the exact instant of the kick. They check the goalkeeper’s starting position, the kicker’s action, and whether any attacker or defender enters the penalty area or arc too early.

Why this situation causes debate

Many fans focus on only one frame or one replay angle. Referees are trained to judge the entire action, the law wording, and the real effect of the incident before deciding whether play should continue, be stopped, or be reviewed.

VAR angle

VAR can intervene in penalty incidents when there is a clear and obvious error in a goal/no goal decision or in offences connected to the penalty outcome.

Practical example

A useful example is a rebound situation. If the goalkeeper saves a penalty and an encroaching attacker scores the rebound, the restart depends on who infringed first and whether the infringement had a direct impact on play.

What to watch on the replay

• the exact starting moment of the incident
• the player actions immediately before contact
• the point of contact and body shape
• the restart required by the law
• whether the incident changed the outcome of the phase

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the goalkeeper move before the kick?
Yes, but Law 14 requires at least part of one foot to be touching, above, or in line with the goal line when the ball is kicked.

Does every encroachment cause a retake?
No. The sanction depends on which team infringed and whether the infringement affected the result of the penalty.

Can VAR check penalty infringements?
Yes, but only when the infringement is relevant to the penalty outcome and there is a reviewable match incident.