MORE INFORMATION

Requirements of Kicker

Kick must be taken from the mark
Ball must be kicked forward
Must not distract goalkeeper
Kicker may feint, but not excessively to the point that the referee deems it unsporting behavior (yellow card caution)
Must not "double touch" the ball

Click on this picture for a video about penalty kick mechanics

Requirements of Goalkeeper

Must be on the goal line, between the posts, facing the field
May not move forward from the goal line until the ball is kicked
May move laterally (side to side)
Must not distract the kicker

Requirements of Attackers

Must be outside the penalty area
Must be outside the penalty arc
Must be laterally behind the penalty mark
Must be on the field of play
Must not encroach
Must not distract the goalkeeper

Requirements of Defenders

Must be outside the penalty area
Must be outside the penalty arc
Must be laterally behind the penalty mark
Must be on the field of play
Must not encroach
Must not distract the kicker

Placement of the Ball
The ball must be placed correctly at the penalty mark, regardless of the the state of the pitch at this location.

Moving the ball elsewhere, even with the apparent agreement of the players, is not permitted.

It is recommended that the referee inform the kick to place the ball on the penalty mark

Goalkeeper Movement
Once the referee signals for the penalty kick, the goalkeeper may move from side to side on the goal line but may not move off the goal line (into the field or backward) until the ball has been kicked.

The requirement to be "on the goal line" is met even if one or both of the goalkeeper's feet are not physically touching the ground, so long as the goalkeeper has not moved forward or backward from the plane of the goal line

When Players Cheat

Penalty Kick Mechanics - Below are the mechanics for the referee team during the taking of a penalty kick

Referee

Whistle to stop play
Points clearly to the penalty mark and, unless needed elsewhere for game control purposes, moves to the edge of the penalty area near the goal line to discourage confrontation and dissent
Deals with players who may attempt to protest or dispute the decision
Intervenes quickly and decisively to prevent and deal with players who attempt to engage an assistant referee in debate regarding the penalty kick decision
Supervises the placement of the ball
Indentifies the kicker
Moves to the recommended position (see diagram below)
When the ball and all the players are properly in position, signals for the kick to be taken
If a goal is scored, backpedals quickly up field keeping the area in front of the goal and other players under observation
If a goal is not scored, quickly takes a position appropriate for restart or next play of the ball

Lead Assistant Referee

Waits for the referee to begin supervising the restart and then moves to the recommended position (see diagram below) to prepare for the duties assigned by the referee in the pregame conference
If a goal is scored, keeps players under observation and follows the normal goal procedure
If play continues, quickly resumes the position to judge offside (cutting the corner of the field if necessary) and keeps play in view

Trail Assistant Referee

Moves to near the midfield line and monitors player activities out of the view of the referee
If a goal is not scored, quickly takes a position appropriate for the next phase of play

Penalty Kick Indicated by the Assistant Referee

Referee

Stops the game
Points clearly to the penalty mark
Follows the normal procedures for a penalty kick
Quickly intervenes to prevent and control player attempts to confront the assistant referee regarding the decision

Assistant Referee

Determines that the direct free kick foul by a defender inside the penalty area was not seen by the referee and that, per the pregame conference, the referee would likely have stopped play for the foul if it had been seen
Signals with a flag straight up
Upon making eye contact with the referee, gives the flag a slight wave
If referee stops game, assistant referee begins walking toward the corner flag
Takes the appropriate position either for the penalty kick if conformed by the referee or for the next phase of play if the referee orders a different restart