Penalty and Free-Kick
Sets what a team can do after being awarded a penalty or free kick, and the difference between the two.
What it says
A penalty kick can be taken at goal for 3 points, kicked to touch for territory, or tapped and run immediately. A free kick offers similar options but can't be kicked directly at goal for points, and a kick to touch from a free kick doesn't result in a lineout throw for the kicking team the way a penalty does.
Why it exists
Different offences carry different weight, so the law gives referees two tiers of sanction: free kicks for more minor, technical infringements, and penalties for more serious ones, each with a different, proportionate set of options for the non-offending team.
In practice
Teams choose their option based on the situation: kicking for goal when close enough and points matter, kicking to touch to gain territory and set up a lineout, or tapping and running quickly to catch a disorganised defence off guard.
Common confusions
A free kick and a penalty are often assumed to be interchangeable, but only a penalty can be kicked directly at the posts for points. Mixing the two up is a common source of confusion when trying to follow why a team did or didn't go for goal.
Last checked against the official law book: 2026-08-24