What is the penalty for a free kick out of bounds?

The penalty for a free kick that goes out of bounds is indeed a 5-yard penalty. This rule is designed to maintain fairness in play, as it prevents a team from gaining an undue advantage by kicking the ball out of bounds. When the free kick goes out of bounds, the receiving team is awarded a favorable field position, with the ball being placed 5 yards from the original spot of the kick.

This enforcement helps ensure that teams must execute their free kicks accurately while minimising the disruption to the game when mistakes are made. The 5-yard penalty reflects the severity of the infraction while still allowing for the continuation of the game without excessive disruption. Other penalties, like 10, 15, or 20 yards, are associated with different types of infractions, which are more significant in terms of their impact on gameplay.