What Is the Penalty Arc in Soccer? Soccer Penalty Arc

What Is the Penalty Arc in Soccer?

The penalty arc is a curved line in front of the penalty area. The line forms an arc that is 10 yards from the penalty spot, which is located in the middle of the penalty area. The part of the field that is within the D-shaped area formed by the penalty arc and the edge of the penalty area is within 10 yards of the penalty spot but technically outside of the penalty area.

What Is the Penalty Arc Used For in Soccer?

The penalty arc is used to separate the penalty kicker from the other players. During penalty kicks, all players other than the kicker and the goalkeeper must stay out of the penalty area, including the penalty arc. For the purpose of assessing penalties, the area within the penalty arc but outside of the main penalty area rectangle does not count as the penalty area. The penalty arc is only used during penalty kicks.

Soccer Penalty Arc Rules

Below are the rules of penalty arcs:

• The penalty arc is a curved line that forms the upper part of a 10-yard circle which is set around the penalty spot.
• During a penalty kick, the kicking player stands on the penalty spot, within the penalty box.
• Players other than the penalty kicker are not allowed to pass beyond the penalty arc.
• If a player on the kicking team who is not the penalty kicker enters the penalty arc and the kick is successful, the penalty kick is redone.
• If a player on the kicking team who is not the penalty kicker enters the penalty arc and the kick is unsuccessful, the non-kicking team receives an indirect free kick.
• If a player on the non-kicking team enters the penalty arc and the kick is successful, the penalty kick is counted as a successful score.
• If a player on the non-kicking team enters the penalty arc and the kick is unsuccessful, the penalty kick is redone.