What Is a Corner Kick in Football?
A corner kick is a restart awarded when the defending team puts the ball over its own goal line. Learn how it works, when it is given and what rules apply.
A corner kick is a method of restarting play in football (soccer) after the ball completely crosses the goal line without entering the goal, provided the last player to touch it was a defender. The attacking team takes the kick from the corner area nearest to where the ball went out.
When is a corner kick awarded?
The referee awards a corner when all of the following conditions apply:
- The ball has wholly crossed the goal line.
- The ball has not gone into the goal.
- The last player to touch the ball was a member of the defending team.
The ball may leave the field after a defender blocks a shot, deflects a cross or makes a clearance. It does not matter whether the contact was deliberate or accidental. If the ball crosses the goal line after touching an attacking player last, the restart is a goal kick instead.
How is a corner kick taken?
The ball is placed inside the corner area on the side closest to where it crossed the goal line. The corner area is marked by a quarter-circle with a radius of one yard (one metre) from the corner flag. The corner flag must not be moved while the kick is taken.
Opposing players must remain at least 10 yards (9.15 metres) from the corner arc until the ball is in play. The ball becomes active when the kicker plays it and it clearly moves. The kicker cannot touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it; doing so results in an indirect free kick for the other team.
A corner kick can be taken short to a nearby teammate or delivered into the penalty area. The taker may also attempt to score directly. A goal can be scored straight from a corner against the opposing team, although this is uncommon and is sometimes called an Olympic goal.
Corner kick rules players often misunderstand
There is no offside directly from a corner
A player cannot be penalised for being offside when receiving the ball directly from a corner kick. Normal offside rules apply to the next pass or touch after another player has played the ball.
The ball does not have to leave the corner area
The kick is legal as soon as the ball is kicked and clearly moves. It does not need to travel outside the marked corner arc before another player can play it.
A corner cannot normally produce an own goal
If a player kicks the ball directly into their own goal from a corner kick, the restart is another corner kick for the opposing team. A goal may be awarded if the ball touches another player before entering the goal.
Common types of corner kick
Teams use different corner routines depending on their players, opponents and match situation.
- Inswinging corner: The ball curves toward the goal as it travels from the corner.
- Outswinging corner: The delivery bends away from the goal, often allowing attackers to meet it while running onto the ball.
- Short corner: The taker passes to a nearby teammate instead of crossing immediately. This can create a better angle or draw defenders away from the penalty area.
- Near-post or far-post delivery: The cross is aimed toward a specific area so a teammate can attack it with a header or finish.
Defending teams may use zonal marking, man-to-man marking or a combination of both. They also commonly leave one or more players forward to support a counterattack.
Corner kick or goal kick?
The difference depends on the last player to touch the ball before it crosses the goal line. If a defender touches it last, the attacking team receives a corner kick. If an attacker touches it last, the defending team takes a goal kick. If the ball crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar without an offence, it is a goal.
