> In football, what's the distance in meters from the penalty spot to the goalline?And the answer: about 11 meters. In football, if you handle the ball or commit a physical foul within the penaltyarea, the other team will most likely receive a penalty kick, which is takenfrom the penalty spot. That penalty spot is directly in front of the goal line,about 11 meters away.Photo credit: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.Penalties play an integral (yetrelatively new) role in deciding the outcome of football matches. The UEFAEuropean Football Championship, less formally known as the European Championshipor Euros, is one of the most competitive football competitions. The matches areplayed between every qualifying European nation, making it an intenselywidespread and high-pressure competition, and one whose outcome has been greatlyaffected by the use penalties. In a football match, these free kicks occur ingameplay either if a foul has been committed in the penalty box or – toeveryone's unease – if the game is still tied after a 30-minute overtime. Assuch, penalties represent a unique opportunity for both teams to score (or save)points that will take them to victory. The 1976 Euro final was the first to be decided by penalties in a landmarkmatch. In a Czechoslovakia vs. Germany match up, Czechoslovakia won 5-3 with oneof the most iconic penalties ever seen: "the Panenka" chip straight down themiddle. Such a deceptive yet effective move epitomizes the strategy involvedwith penalty-taking, whether it be psychological, physical or both. Many football players have criticized the use of penalties in football. Someargue that, more than anything, these game-deciding moments rely too heavily onluck rather than skill. Additionally, the gameplay has come under fire forcreating dependence on individual duels between opposing players, which isarguably not in keeping with football as a team sport.What do you think? Are penalties necessary, or unfair? Learn more about theunique strategy and rules involved in penalty-taking here[https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/sports/penalties-myths-v-facts], and watch thePanenka chip here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROG4-QPIDgo].