Games similar to soccer have been around for thousands of years, but it wasn't until the 19th century that the modern game began to take shape. The first step toward present-day soccer occurred in 1848 with the passing of the Cambridge Rules. The game was a mix of rugby and soccer until 1863 when the two sports essentially split with the founding of the The Football Association in England and the Rugby Football Union.
Early Soccer Rules
Many of the rules that are in place as of 2011, such as off-sides, were established in 1863 and goal kicks and corner-kicks were added by 1872. As soccer was deemed a gentleman's sport, penalties were non-existence until 1891 when a number of rules were changed. One of the biggest rule changes in addition to the calling of penalties was the introduction of the penalty kick.
The Evolving Penalty Kick
Even though penalty kicks were first awarded in 1891, they were different than today's version of a penalty kick. In a match between Notts County and Stoke City, Notts County had a 1-0 lead late in the contest, but committed a handball to save a goal. According to the rules, Stoke City was given a free kick and the Notts City team lined up in front of the goal to prevent the ball from going in. The Football Association then changed the rules for penalty kicks to allow a kick from 12 yards away without the defense.
Stoke City was then involved in another match that led to a rule change. Again trailing 1-0 late, Stoke City was awarded a penalty kick, but the opponent Aston Villa kicked the ball out of the stands. Time ran out before the ball could be retrieved and Stoke City lost. The rules were changed to allow penalty kicks after regulation time.
Today's Penalty Kick
For penalty kicks to be taken, a foul must be committed within the penalty area, which is an area 6 m from the outside of each goal post in a quarter-circle shape, as well as the 3.16 m of the goal. If a defending team commits any of the following 10 fouls in its penalty area -- tackling, pushing, kicking or attempting to kick an opponent, striking or attempting to strike an opponent, tripping, jumping at an opponent, holding an opponent, spitting on an opponent or handles the ball deliberately and is not the goalkeeper -- a penalty kick shall be awarded.
The Shootout
Like penalty kicks, shootout attempts are taken from the penalty mark, which is 12 yards from the goal. The difference is that shootout attempts take place when regulation time has ended and a winner has to be determined. In a shootout, the referee chooses one side of the field where both teams will shoot and a coin toss will determine which team shoots first. Both teams have five attempts and the team with more goals after five kicks is the winner. If the teams are tied after five kicks, the teams will alternate kickers until one has one more goal with the same number of kicks to determine the winner.
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