What type of kick is awarded for a foul committed inside the penalty box?

When a foul is committed inside the penalty box, the appropriate action taken by the referee is to award a penalty kick to the opposing team. A penalty kick is a specific type of direct free kick that is executed from a designated spot 12 yards from the goal line, directly in front of the goal. This type of kick is crucial because it allows one player an unobstructed attempt to score against the goalkeeper, making it one of the most significant opportunities in a soccer match.

The rules governing the game, as dictated by the Laws of the Game established by IFAB, stipulate that only specific fouls—such as a trip, push, or handball by a defensive player—inside the penalty area will result in a penalty kick. This serves to protect the attacking team from unfair play within a critical scoring zone.

In contrast, other types of kicks mentioned, such as indirect free kicks and corner kicks, do not apply in this situation. An indirect free kick can only be awarded for less severe fouls and requires that the ball be touched by another player before a goal can be scored. A corner kick is awarded when the ball goes out of play over the goal line after last touching a defender, unrelated to fouls inside the penalty