Question Number: 22705

Kicks From The Penalty mark 1/5/2010

RE: regional Under 16

Alex Amaro of Ottawa, On Canada asks...

Hi Guys,

How do you determine which team starts a penalty shoot out, if the game calls for it?

I know that the away team calls the coin toss at the start of the match to determine which side they'll begin in.

Thanks,

Al

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There is another coin toss before kicks from the mark begin. The winner of the toss decides whether their team will kick first or second.

Incidentally, who calls the toss is generally a matter of local practice. I too allow the visiting team to call it 'as a courtesy'. Actually it matters not who calls the toss; it is fair for either team to do so. In fact, you could have a 2-headed coin and as long as the teams didn't know, the toss would be fair. Fair meaning that either side has an equal chance of winning.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Al
Thanks for the question. As Referee Voshol states the decision is made by a coin toss at the end of the game before Kicks from the Penalty Mark begin. The referee tosses a coin and the winner of the toss decides to go 1st or 2nd.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

I also allow the visiting team to call the coin toss before kicks from the penalty mark begin but I really don't know why. It makes no difference as either team has a 50% chance of guessing right.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The team winning the toss selects to shoot first or second.