"Penalty! Penalty to Gryffindor! I've never seen such tactics."
-- Madam Hooch, refereeing the Slytherin v Gryffindor Quidditch Cup final (PA15)
A penalty is awarded to a team by the Referee when a foul is called in their favour (QA6).
- To take the penalty, a Chaser flies from the centre circle of the pitch toward the goal and tries to score (QA6).
- The rules state that no players are allowed on that side of the pitch except the opposing Keeper during the penalty attempt (QA6).
Notes and interesting facts:
- During Keeper tryouts at Hogwarts for the Gryffindor team, the Chasers shot penalties at the candidates to see who was best at saving (HBP11).
- The "Stingers" (fans of the Wimbourne Wasps quidditch team) buzz as loudly as possible during penalty shots in order to unnerve the opposing team's Chaser (QA7).
- The "Double Eight Loop" is a Keeper tactic that is also designed to put off Chasers during penalties (QA10).
- Fouls and their subsequent penalty shots, often take place during Quidditch World Cup and league matches (GF8, QA6, Pm).
Commentary
Etymology
In sports, a 'penalty' (Eng) is a punishment or handicap (a kick or shot awarded to the opposing team) which is imposed on a player or team because of an infringement of the rules. (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/penalty)
From the Web
Writing by J.K. Rowling on Pottermore: History of the Quidditch World Cup
Pensieve (Comments)
Tags: brooms / broomsticks cheating fairness fouls match punishment Referee sportsmanship team