The penalty shootout is a method of determining a winner in sports matches that would have otherwise been drawn or tied.
A penalty shootout is normally used only in "no ties allowed" situations (for example, a tournament where the losers must be eliminated) and where other methods such as extra time, sudden death, and/or the away goal rule have failed to determine a winner first.
If scores are level after regular time and extra-time (if used), each team will alternately take penalty kicks against the opposition goalkeeper.
If, after five pairs of kicks, an equal number of goals have been scored by each team the shootout proceeds to sudden death.
Traditionally drawn games were settled by a replay, with extra time also being used, but fixture congestion has led to pressure for "winner on the day" solutions.
[7][8] The first penalty shootout in an inter-county competition was when Down defeated Offaly in the 2020 Christy Ring Cup.
[9][10] Bernard Brogan has criticised their use in Gaelic football, saying that the skill required is more appropriate to soccer, and that 45-metre kicks may be a better option.
[11] Tommy Walsh also criticised them, pointing out the increased focus brought on the individual who misses a penalty.
This has an advantage over soccer's golden goal, as in Gaelic games it is much easier to score and golden-score extra time would be unlikely to last more than a few minutes.
[14][15] If a game is tied after regular time and a clear winner is necessary (like in knockout tournaments), it would proceed to two 5-minute periods of overtime with a 1-minute break before each.
If the score remains tied after an overtime period, the subsequent shootout consists of a set number of players from each team (3 in the NHL and IIHF rules and 5 in most North American minor leagues, and one in some other leagues) taking penalty shots.
[20] Since the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season, if a game reaches triple overtime, teams alternate running two-point plays, instead of starting another drive at the opponent's 25-yard line.