During a penalty kick, how does the ball need to move for the kick to be considered valid?

For a penalty kick to be considered valid, the ball must move forward when it is kicked. This rule ensures that the attacking player, who is attempting to score, has a clear opportunity to put the ball into the goal without any unfair advantage or manipulation of the play. The act of moving the ball forward allows for a straightforward shot on goal and maintains the integrity of the game, ensuring that the defensive team has a chance to respond to the attack.

In this context, any lateral or backward movement of the ball would not satisfy the requirements of a legal penalty kick. Therefore, the necessity for the ball to travel forward is a fundamental aspect of the procedure followed during a penalty kick.