Rule 39. Penalty 2 - Spot or 30 Yard Hit

In plain English

Penalty 2: undefended hit from the spot or from 30 yards.

• For a foul inside the 30 yard line, the fouled captain chooses where to take one undefended free hit: from the spot where it happened, or from 30 yards out opposite the centre of the goal.
• The whole hitting side stands behind the ball. The striker hits, or hits at, the ball once and may make no further play.
• If the ball neither crosses the goal or back line nor rebounds into play off a post, the defending side gets a free hit from where it stopped, as for a Penalty 5a.
• The ball may be moved out towards the boards if a goal post is in the striker's way.
• The defence has no play at all. They stand behind their own back line, not between the posts and not behind the goal, must not distract the striker even by accident, and must let the ball come to rest.

...the Captain of the team fouled shall be offered the choice of one undefended free hit from either the spot where the foul occurred or 30 yards from the goal line of the team that has fouled opposite the centre of the goal:

Quoted extract · Blue Book 2026, Part 1, Rule 39

Read rule 39 in the Blue Book 2026

In Penalty 2, if the foul occurred within the 30-yard line, where can the team fouled take the free hit from?

• From the spot where the foul occurred or 30 yards from the goal line of the team that has fouled opposite the centre of the goal ✓
• From the centre of the field
• From the 60-yard line
• From the 40-yard line

They may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally, and must allow the ball to come to a rest.

Penalty 2: What happens if the ball fails to cross the goal or back line or rebounds into play off a goal post during a penalty shot?

• The team taking the hit gets another attempt
• The opposing team gets possession of the ball
• The team facing the hit is awarded a free hit from where the ball came to rest ✓
• The game continues as normal

They may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally, and must allow the ball to come to a rest.

Penalty 2: What options are available to the captain of the team that was fouled, if the foul occurred within the 30-yard line?

• He has the option to take an undefended free hit from where the foul occurred
• He can choose to take the undefended free hit from the 30-yard line of the team that has fouled, opposite the center of the goal
• Both A and B ✓
• He can choose to ignore the foul and continue with the game

They may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally, and must allow the ball to come to a rest.

Can the player taking the hit move the ball if a goal post interferes with the hit?

• No, the ball must be hit from where it is placed
• Yes, but only towards the centre of the field
• Yes, the ball may be moved outwards towards the boards or sideline ✓
• The player can ask for a repositioning of the ball by the umpire

The player taking the hit may hit or hit at the ball only once and may not make another play.

Are players from the team facing the hit allowed to distract the player taking the penalty shot?

• Yes, as long as it is not physically interfering
• No, they may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally ✓
• Yes, but only verbally
• Yes, but only if they are at a certain distance from the player taking the hit

They may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally, and must allow the ball to come to a rest.

Penalty 2: What must the team facing the hit do if the ball has been hit but hasn't come to rest yet?

• They may attempt to stop the ball
• They must allow the ball to come to a rest ✓
• They can move towards the ball but cannot touch it
• They can shout to distract the other team

They may not distract the player taking the penalty, including unintentionally, and must allow the ball to come to a rest.

When can the team facing the hit make a play during a Penalty 3?

• As soon as the ball is hit or hit at ✓
• Only after the ball crosses the back line
• Before the ball is hit
• Once they have entered the field through the goal posts

The player taking the hit may hit or hit at the ball only once and may not make another play.

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