A corner kick is a way of restarting play awarded to the attacking team when the ball crosses the defending team’s goal line, off a defender, without a goal being scored. It is taken from inside the corner arc closest to where the ball went out, and it is one of the game’s most dangerous set pieces because it delivers the ball into the penalty area with attackers waiting. Corner kicks are governed by Law 17 of the IFAB Laws of the Game.
When a corner is awarded
A corner is given when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, either along the ground or in the air, and the last player to touch it was a defender, provided no goal was scored. If an attacker had put the ball out over the same line, the restart would instead be a goal kick for the defending team.
This makes the corner the attacking counterpart to the goal kick. It rewards the attacking side for forcing the ball out via a defender, whether through a deflected shot, a blocked cross, or a defender deliberately clearing the ball over the line under pressure.
How a corner kick is taken
The ball is placed inside the corner arc, the quarter-circle marked at the corner nearest to where the ball crossed the line. The corner flag must stay in position and cannot be removed to make the kick easier. The ball must be stationary before it is struck, and it is in play the moment it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not have to leave the arc.
Opponents must retreat at least 10 yards (9.15 meters) from the corner arc until the ball is in play. Many pitches have a short line marked off the field, 10 yards from the corner, to indicate this distance. Once the ball is live, defenders can close in.
| Element | Corner kick rule |
|---|---|
| Awarded to | Attacking team |
| Placement | Inside the corner arc nearest where the ball went out |
| Opponent distance | At least 10 yards (9.15 m) from the arc |
| Direct goal | Allowed against opponents; own goal not allowed |
| Second touch | Not permitted until another player touches the ball |
Scoring and offside on corners
You can score directly from a corner kick without any other player touching the ball, a rare feat sometimes called an “Olimpico.” You cannot, however, score directly into your own goal from a corner; if that somehow happened, a corner would be awarded to the opposing team instead.
Importantly, a player cannot be penalized for offside directly from a corner kick. This is a deliberate exception in the laws, and it is one reason attacking teams pack the penalty area with players who might otherwise be caught offside from open play.
Common offences
The most frequent infringement is the taker touching the ball twice. If the kicker plays the ball a second time before anyone else touches it, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the defending team. If the second touch is a deliberate handball, a direct free kick or penalty kick can result depending on where it happens.
Defenders who fail to retreat the required distance, or who delay the kick, can be cautioned. If the ball is not placed properly in the arc, the corner is retaken. A common misconception is that the whole ball must sit outside the arc; in fact, part of the ball only needs to be inside the arc or on the line marking it.
Short corners and quick restarts
Not every corner is a long delivery into the box. A short corner is played to a nearby teammate, who then crosses, shoots, or works an opening. Teams use it to change the angle of the cross, to draw defenders out and create space, or simply to keep possession when a direct delivery is unlikely to succeed. Because the ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves, a corner can also be taken quickly to catch defenders out of position, provided the taker does not touch it twice.
Why corners matter tactically
Corner kicks are a major source of goals, especially at the top level where teams rehearse elaborate routines. Some sides swing the ball toward the near post for a flick-on, others aim for a tall target at the far post, and many use short corners to draw defenders out and create a better crossing angle.
Defensively, teams choose between marking opponents individually, guarding zones of the box, or mixing both. The choice of who takes the corner also matters: an inswinging delivery curls toward goal and can trouble the goalkeeper, while an outswinger bends away and invites a running header. Understanding these choices, along with the roles of the various positions on the pitch, helps explain why a routine restart so often decides tight matches.
Frequently asked questions
When is a corner kick awarded?
A corner kick is awarded when the ball wholly crosses the goal line, on the ground or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored. It restarts play for the attacking team from the corner.
Can you score directly from a corner kick?
Yes. A goal can be scored directly against the opponents from a corner kick without anyone else touching the ball. This is sometimes called an ‘Olimpico.’ However, you cannot score an own goal directly; that would result in a corner to the other team.
How far must defenders stand from a corner?
Opponents must remain at least 10 yards, which is 9.15 meters, from the corner arc until the ball is in play. The distance is often marked by a small line off the field near the corner to help players and referees.
Where exactly is a corner kick taken?
The ball must be placed inside the corner arc at the corner flag nearest to where it crossed the goal line. The corner flagpost must not be moved. The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves.
Can the taker touch the ball twice?
No. The player taking the corner cannot touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player. Doing so results in an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where the second touch occurred.
What is the difference between a corner kick and a goal kick?
Both restart play after the ball crosses the goal line without a goal. If a defender touched it last, it is a corner kick for the attackers. If an attacker touched it last, it is a goal kick for the defending team.
