A corner kick in football is a method of restarting play when the entire ball crosses the goal line without entering the goal and was last touched by a defending-team player. The attacking team takes the corner from the corner area nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line. A corner kick can create a strong scoring opportunity because the attacking team can deliver the ball directly into the penalty area. Under the current Laws of the Game, corner kicks are governed by Law 17.
The rules cover when a corner kick is awarded, where the ball must be placed, how opponents must position themselves, when the ball is in play and what happens if the kicker commits an offence.
When is a Corner Kick Awarded in Football?
A corner kick is normally awarded when the whole ball crosses the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, after last touching a defending-team player, and no goal has been scored. The corner is taken from the corner area closest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line.
For example, if a defender makes the final touch before the ball crosses their own goal line and the ball goes outside the goalposts, the attacking team receives a corner kick.
A corner kick is different from a goal kick. A goal kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line after being last touched by an attacking player, whereas a corner kick is awarded when the last touch comes from a defending player.
Under the current Laws, a corner kick can also be awarded in certain situations involving delays or goalkeeper ball control. If a goalkeeper controls the ball with their hands or arms for more than eight seconds, the referee awards a corner kick. The corner is taken from the side of the field closest to the goalkeeper’s position when the offence was penalised.
Football Corner Kick Procedure
The football corner kick procedure includes specific rules about where the ball is placed, how it is taken and where opponents can stand:
- The ball must be placed in the correct corner area: The ball is placed in the corner area nearest to where it crossed the goal line. For a corner awarded because a goalkeeper held the ball for more than eight seconds, the kick is taken from the corner area nearest to the goalkeeper’s position when the offence occurred.
- The ball must be stationary: The ball must be stationary when the corner kick is taken. It is kicked by a player from the attacking team.
- The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves: The ball does not have to leave the corner area to be in play. Once the kicker touches the ball with the foot and it clearly moves, the corner has been taken, and play continues. This allows teams to play a short corner to a nearby teammate.
- The corner flagpost cannot be moved: The corner flagpost must remain in its designated position when the corner kick is taken. Players cannot move or remove it to create additional space or change the position from which the kick is taken.
- Opponents must keep their distance: Defending players must stay at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the corner arc until the ball is in play. This distance applies to opponents regardless of whether the corner is played as a cross or a short pass.
Read More: Corner Kick in Football
Can You Score Directly From a Corner Kick?
Yes, a player can score directly from a corner kick against the opposing team. If the ball is kicked from the corner and enters the opponent’s goal without touching another player, the goal is awarded. This is sometimes called a goal scored directly from a corner and is possible because the corner kick is a restart from which a direct goal is permitted.
However, a player cannot score an own goal directly from a corner kick. If the ball travels straight into the kicker’s own goal without touching another player, a goal is not awarded. Instead, the opposing team is awarded a corner kick. This rule applies because the Laws of the Game do not allow a direct own goal from a corner kick.
Corner Kick Double Touch Rule
The player taking the corner kick cannot touch the ball again immediately after taking the kick before another player has touched it. If the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.
For example, if a player kicks the ball a short distance and then touches it again before a teammate or opponent makes contact, the referee stops play and awards an indirect free kick to the other team.
If the second touch is a handball offence, the restart depends on where and how the offence occurred. A direct free kick can be awarded, while a penalty kick may be awarded if the offence occurs inside the kicker’s own penalty area, subject to the specific goalkeeper provisions in the Laws.
Can a Corner Kick Be Played Short?
Yes. A corner kick does not have to be crossed directly into the penalty area. The kicker can pass the ball to a nearby teammate as long as the ball is stationary before the kick and is kicked and clearly moves when the corner is taken. The ball does not have to leave the corner area for the kick to be considered in play.
This is known as a short corner and is often used as an alternative to a direct cross. It can help the attacking team create a better angle for a cross, draw defenders away from their positions, create space around the edge of the penalty area or retain possession. The receiving player can then control the ball and continue the attacking move under the normal Laws of the Game.
Common Corner Kick Offences
Several offences can occur during a corner kick. The exact sanction can depend on the nature of the offence and the circumstances of the play. The most important include:
| Offence | Restart |
| Kicker touches the ball again before another player | Indirect free kick |
| Kicker commits a handball offence | Direct free kick or penalty kick, depending on the situation |
| Opponent is less than 9.15 m from the corner arc before the ball is in play | Kick is generally retaken for an offence |
| Ball is not stationary when the kick is taken | Kick is retaken |
| Corner flagpost is moved | The flagpost must not be moved |
| Other procedural offence | Corner kick is retaken |
Corner Kick vs Goal Kick
A corner kick and a goal kick are both awarded when the whole ball crosses the goal line without entering the goal, but the difference is which team touched the ball last. A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the ball was last touched by a defending player, while a goal kick is awarded to the defending team when the ball was last touched by an attacking player. The corner kick is taken from the corner area nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line, while the goal kick is taken from within the goal-kick area.
For example, if a defender attempts to clear the ball and it goes over their own goal line, the attacking team receives a corner. If an attacker touches the ball last before it crosses the opponent’s goal line, the defending team receives a goal kick. Therefore, the final touch before the ball leaves the field determines whether play restarts with a corner kick or a goal kick.
What Happens if a Player Deliberately Kicks the Ball at an Opponent?
A player taking a corner kick is allowed to deliberately kick the ball at an opponent to try to regain possession, provided the action is not performed in a careless or reckless manner or with excessive force. For example, a player may play the ball against a nearby defender so that it rebounds back to them or a teammate. The referee can allow play to continue because deliberately using an opponent to create a rebound is not automatically an offence.
However, the player must still comply with the normal laws regarding careless, reckless or excessive challenges and misconduct. If the referee considers the action dangerous or excessively forceful, the appropriate sanction can be applied. The important factor is therefore not simply that the ball was deliberately kicked at an opponent, but whether the action itself was carried out legally.
Can a Corner Kick Be Offside?
A player cannot be penalised for offside when receiving the ball directly from a corner kick. Corner kicks are one of the specific restart situations where the normal offside restriction does not apply. This means an attacking player can be positioned beyond the second-last opponent when the corner is taken and can receive the ball directly from the kick without being penalised for offside.
The exemption applies only to the initial reception from the corner kick. Once another player touches or plays the ball, the normal offside rules apply. For example, if a corner taker passes the ball to a teammate and that teammate then plays it across the penalty area, another attacking player can be penalised for offside if they are in an offside position when the second teammate plays the ball.
Conclusion
The football corner kick rules are designed to provide a clear and controlled way to restart play after the ball crosses the goal line following a touch from a defending player. The ball must be stationary in the correct corner area, opponents must stay at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the corner arc until the ball is in play, and the corner flagpost cannot be moved. The ball becomes playable as soon as it is kicked and clearly moves, even if it remains inside the corner area.
A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick against the opposing team, while a second touch by the kicker before another player touches the ball results in an indirect free kick. Understanding these rules helps players, coaches and fans follow one of the most important attacking restarts in football.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Defending players must remain at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the corner arc until the ball is in play.
Yes. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick against the opposing team. If the ball goes directly into the kicker’s own goal, the opposition receives a corner kick instead.
No. If the kicker touches the ball again before another player touches it, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Yes. A corner kick can be played short to a teammate instead of being crossed into the penalty area.
A goal is not awarded. The opposing team is awarded a corner kick.
Law 17 of the Laws of the Game covers corner kicks, including when they are awarded, the procedure for taking them and offences and sanctions.
