I agree that they are sometimes "played for". These days, more than ever. I don't think that really counts as "winning" a penalty and it definitely doesn't count as "earning" one. The best I can say is that they are sometimes deserved, more so if there's been an infringement that denies a goal-scoring opportunity.
If you can win a corner or throw in you can surely win a penalty or free kick. Not via cheating as they shouldn't be given anyway.
I can see how you can win a corner or throw in, by intentionally playing the ball out off an opponent. I still don't see how you win a penalty or free kick, especially if we're ruling out cheating. Maybe we should try some examples? Woodrow picks up a pass and runs into the box. The centreback tries to stop him shooting, but brings Woodrow down. Penalty, says the ref... but did Woodrow win a penalty or was he awarded one? Thomas is on the ball, inside the box, but moving away from goal. Defender bumps into him, with minimal contact, but enough to unbalance Thomas and he goes down. Ref says penalty... but did Thomas win it or was he awarded it? Maybe we're splitting hairs and just using different words to describe the same thing. Interesting discussion, though. And I still don't like the expression "won a penalty."
Ha ha. But intersting indeed. It all depends on interpretation I suppose. Winning a throw or corner is because (imo) you've instigated it. A deflected or intentional deflection, a blocked cross or pass which in most occasions you've not 'won' but got lucky as the action could have resulted in it going to an opposition player. But imo again if you're in the box and trying or instigating an attack or goal scoring opportunity and you get impeded or stopped from creating a chance I reckon it's fair game to say youve won one. As the 'debate' goes.......... cricket...... should a bowler not get credit for a wicket of the batsman chops one onto his own wicket? I think he should. He's on some occasions forced the batter into making a mistake. The debate could go on and I've enjoyed it Ancient Sheep
Technically speaking, a penalty is a direct free kick. It's why you can sometimes be given an indirect free kick inside the area... Just to be an arse like lol