How can a player earn a penalty kick for their team?

A player earns a penalty kick for their team when they are fouled within the opponent's penalty area. This situation occurs typically when a defensive player commits a violation against an attacking player, such as tripping, pushing, or holding, which impedes the attacking player's ability to play the ball. The penalty kick is awarded as a direct free kick, taken from the penalty mark, giving the attacking team a significant scoring opportunity.

The other options provided don't lead to a penalty kick. For instance, scoring a goal doesn't involve any foul and, therefore, does not result in a penalty kick. Being offside relates to a player’s positioning on the field rather than any foul play occurring, which means it does not warrant a penalty. Preventing the ball from going out of play is a technique in gameplay but does not relate to earning a penalty kick, as it does not involve any foul committed by the opposing team within the penalty area.