Penalty facts for kids

A penalty is usually a punishment or a consequence for doing something wrong. It's like a rule that says if you break a rule, something will happen. Penalties can be found in many different parts of life, from sports games to how you handle your money. Sometimes, a penalty can also be a special action in a game, even if no one broke a rule.

What is a Penalty?

A penalty is a disadvantage given to a person or a team for breaking a rule. It's meant to make sure everyone follows the rules. Penalties help keep things fair and organized. They can be small, like losing a turn, or bigger, like paying extra money.

Penalties in Sports

In sports, penalties are very common. They are used to punish players or teams who do not follow the rules of the game. This helps keep the game fair and safe for everyone.

American Football Penalties

In American football, a penalty happens when a player breaks a rule. For example, if a player holds an opponent illegally, their team might get a penalty. This usually means the ball is moved a certain number of yards, which hurts the team that committed the foul.

Soccer Penalties

In soccer, a penalty kick is a special shot given to a team. This happens when a player from the other team commits a serious foul inside their own penalty area. The attacking team gets to shoot the ball at the goal with only the goalkeeper to stop it. This is a big advantage.

Sometimes, "penalty" can also refer to a tiebreaker in soccer. If a game is tied after extra time, teams might take turns shooting penalty kicks to decide the winner. In this case, it's not a punishment, but a way to finish the game.

Ice Hockey Penalties

In ice hockey, a penalty means a player has to sit in the penalty box for a set amount of time. This leaves their team with fewer players on the ice, giving the other team an advantage. Common penalties include tripping, hooking, or fighting.

Rugby Penalties

Penalties in rugby are given for various rule breaks. When a penalty is awarded, the non-offending team can choose to kick the ball for territory, try to score a penalty goal, or tap the ball and run. It's a way to punish the team that broke the rule and give the other team an advantage.

Other Sports Penalties

In many other sports, penalties are often called fouls. For example, in basketball, a foul can lead to free throws for the other team. In tennis, certain mistakes can result in a "fault," which gives the opponent a point or a chance to re-serve.

Penalties and Money

Penalties are also used in the world of money and finance. They are usually fees or charges you have to pay if you don't follow certain rules or deadlines.

Early Withdrawal Penalty

If you put money into a savings account or an investment for a certain period, there might be a rule about taking it out early. An early withdrawal penalty is a fee you have to pay if you take your money out before the agreed time. This encourages people to keep their money invested for longer.

Tax Penalties

A Tax penalty is a fee you might have to pay if you don't follow tax rules. For example, if you miss the deadline for filing your taxes or paying what you owe, the government might charge you a penalty. This is to make sure people pay their taxes on time.