Corner kick

A picture of the exact moment the blue-white team's corner kick is taken.
Alessandro Del Piero taking a corner kick for Sydney FC.

A corner kick is the method of restarting play in a game of association football when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, without a goal being scored, and having last been touched by a member of the defending team. The kick is taken from the corner of the field of play nearest to where it went out. Corners are considered to be a reasonable goal scoring opportunity for the attacking side, though not as much as a penalty kick or a direct free kick near the edge of the penalty area.

A corner kick is also awarded instead of an own goal if a team places the ball directly into its own goal from certain restarts (e.g., throw-in, free kick, etc.), though this is rare.

History

Background

Under the original 1863 rules of the Football Association, a ball kicked behind the goal-line was treated similarly to present-day rugby: if an attacking player touched the ball down first, the attacking team had a free-kick at goal (similar to a conversion in rugby), while if a defending player touched the ball down first, the defending team was awarded a goal-kick.[1] These rules were subsequently simplified, so that by 1867 a goal-kick was awarded in all circumstances, regardless of which team touched the ball.[2]

During this period, clubs around Sheffield played their own distinctive code of football. The laws promulgated in early March 1867 by the newly-formed Sheffield Football Association contained a similar rule: a goal-kick was awarded whenever the ball went behind the goal-line, regardless of which team touched the ball.[3]

Introduction in Sheffield rules

The corner-kick was suggested in a letter to the editor of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph published on March the 22nd 1867.[4] The author, writing under the pseudonym "Rouge", argued that the then-current rule was "a great inducement to foul and dishonourable play, for it is manifestly to the advantage of a defending side to allow the ball to pass their goal line, they having the great advantage or a free kick-off". Instead, Rouge suggested, "when the ball is kicked behind the goal-line, the players [should] run for touch, and the side winning the touch, kicks in from the nearest corner-flag".[4]

The corner-kick was introduced to Sheffield football the following year, as the result of a rule-change proposed by Norfolk FC. The law, adopted in October 1868, ran:[5]

When the ball is kicked over the bar of the goal, it must be kicked-off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal. The side who thus kick the ball are entitled to a fair kick-off in whatever way they please; the opposite side not being allowed to approach within six yards of the ball. When the ball is kicked behind the goal line, a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out, shall kick it in from the nearest corner-flag; no player to be allowed within six yards of the ball until kicked.

This Sheffield form of the corner-kick had two significant differences from today's version:

  • The corner-kick could be awarded to either the attacking or the defending team, depending on which team kicked the ball behind the goal-line.
  • When the ball was kicked directly over the crossbar, by either team, a goal-kick was awarded to the defending team.

The Sheffield clubs would retain this form of the corner-kick rule until they adopted the FA's rules wholesale in 1877.

Introduction in association football

In 1872, the Sheffield Association successfully introduced its corner-kick rule, as described above, into the Football Association's code. The new FA rule was identical to the Sheffield rule.[6] The next year, 1873, the FA rule was rewritten, under a proposal by Great Marlow FC, to essentially its current form:[7]

  • When the attacking team kicked the ball behind the goal-line, a goal-kick was awarded to the defending team
  • When the defending team kicked the ball behind the goal-line, a corner-kick was awarded to the attacking team.

The FA rule of 1873 stated:

When the ball is kicked behind the goal-line by one of the opposite side, it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal line it went, within six yards of the nearest goal post; but if kicked behind by any one of the side whose goal line it is, a player of the opposite side shall kick it from the nearest corner flag-post. In either case no other player shall be allowed within six yards of the ball until kicked off.

Subsequent developments

Name

The name "corner-kick" first appears in the laws of 1883.[8] Before this, the phrase "corner-flag kick" was used (1875). [9]

Position of the kick

In 1874, the kick was allowed to be taken from within one yard of the corner-flag, rather than from the flag itself.[10]

Position of other players

Initially, all other players were forbidden to be within six yards of the ball at a corner-kick; this was altered to all opposing players in 1888.[11] In 1914, the distance was increased from six yards to ten yards[12] (though the Football Association enforced this change one year earlier, in 1913).[13]

Offside from a corner-kick

When first introduced in 1872, the corner-kick was required to be taken from the corner-flag itself, which would have made it impossible to be offside directly from a corner. In 1874, the kick was allowed to be taken up to one yard from the corner-flag, thus opening up the possibility of a player being offside. In 1883 the law was amended to specify that a player could not be offside from a corner-kick.[8]

Touching the ball twice from a corner-kick

When initially introduced in 1872, there was no restriction on dribbling from a corner-kick. In 1875, this was changed: it was forbidden for a player to touch the ball again after taking a corner-kick, before the ball had been touched by another player.[9] In 1924, this restriction was accidentally removed, as an unintended consequence of the law-change allowing a goal to be scored directly from a corner. This possibility was exploited by Everton FC winger Sam Chedgzoy in a match against Arsenal FC on 15 November of that year.[14] At the end of November, the International Football Association Board issued emergency instructions that dribbling was once again forbidden.[15] The law was formally amended to prohibit dribbling at the next annual meeting of the Board, in 1925.[16]

Scoring a goal from a corner-kick

When it was first introduced in 1872, there was no restriction on scoring a goal directly from a corner-kick. In 1875, this was forbidden,[9], but it was subsequently legalised by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) meeting of 15 June 1924 with effect from for the following season.[17][18][19] In 1997, the laws were amended to remove the possibility of scoring an own goal directly from a corner kick.[20]

Other provisions

The one-yard quarter-circle pitch marking is first explicitly mentioned in the Laws of the Game in 1938, but appears in the diagram of the pitch as early as 1902.[21] In the 1990s the Laws of the Game were updated to explicitly allow optional marks on the goal line (and later the touch line) ten yards from the corner flag, to aid the referee in ensuring defenders keep the minimum distance from the corner kick. The Dublin City Cup (until the 1960s) and Dublin and Belfast Inter-City Cup (in the 1940s) used corner count as a tiebreaker in knockout rounds.[22][23]

Summary

This table includes only kicks awarded to the attacking team; it does not cover the defensive corner-kick that existed under the 1872 laws.

Date Corner-kick awarded if ball kicked over crossbar Location of corner-kick Minimum distance required (team-mates) Minimum distance required (opponents) Kicker may play ball again before it is touched by another player Attacking goal may be scored from a corner-kick Own goal may be scored from a corner-kick Player may be offside from a corner-kick
1872 No From the corner-flag itself 6 yards 6 yards Yes Yes Yes No
1873 Yes
1874 From within one yard of the corner-flag Yes
1875 No No No
1883 No
1888 None
1914 10 yards
1924 (June) Yes Yes Yes
1924 (November) No
1997 No

Procedure

Player takes a corner kick

The assistant referee will signal that a corner should be awarded by first raising his flag, then using it to point at the corner arc on their side of the pitch; however, this is not an indication of which side the kick should be taken from. The referee then awards the corner by pointing to the relevant arc.

When taking a corner kick, the ball is initially placed so that at least some part of the ball is within the corner arc closest to where the ball went out of play. The corner arc is located at the intersection of the goalline and touchline and has a radius of one yard. All defending players must be at least ten yards (9.15 metres) from the corner arc until the corner kick is taken. A corner kick is taken as soon as the ball is kicked and moves.

The attacking side may score directly from a corner kick, though this is uncommon.

An attacking player who directly receives the ball from a corner kick cannot be penalised for offside.

Infringements

Opposing players must retire the required distance as stated above. Failure to do so promptly may constitute misconduct and be punished by a yellow card.

It is an offence for the kicker to touch the ball a second time until it has been touched by another player; this is punishable by an indirect free kick to the defending team from where the offence occurred,[24] unless the second touch was also a more serious handling offence, in which case a direct free kick is awarded to the defending team.

Tactics in taking and defending a corner

Liverpool (red) players prepare to defend a Chelsea (blue) corner.

A common tactic is for several attackers to stand close in front of the goal, whereupon the corner taker crosses the ball for them to head into the goal.

The defending team may choose to form a wall of players in an attempt to force the ball to be played to an area which is more easily defended. However, this is not done often because defending players must remain at least 10 yards from the ball until it is in play.

The defending team also has the choice of whether to instruct a player to place him or herself beside one or both of the goalposts to provide protection to the goal in addition to the goalkeeper. The thinking behind placing a player beside a goalpost is that it means more of the goal area is protected and there is no loss in the ability to play an offside trap because offside does not apply for the first touch from a corner, and it compensates for a keeper's positioning and/or reach.

The defending team also has to decide how many players it needs to defend a corner. Teams may withdraw every player into a defensive area, however this diminishes the potential for a counter-attack if possession is regained, and as such, allows the attacking side to commit more players to attacking the goal. Withdrawing all players into a defensive area also means that if the ball is cleared from an initial cross, it is more than likely that the attacking team will regain possession of the ball and begin a new attack.

In situations where a set-piece, such as a corner, is awarded to a side trailing by a single goal at the closing stages of a match where conceding further is of minimal consequence (i.e. in a knockout tournament) a team may commit all their players, including their goalkeeper, to the attack.

Man versus zonal marking

Two popular strategies used for defending corners are called man marking and zonal marking. Man marking involves each defensive player at a corner given an attacking player to defend, with his or her objective being to stop the attacking player from heading the ball. The other tactic, zonal marking, involves allocating each player to an area of the box to defend (his or her "zone"). The objective for players in zonal marking is to get to the ball first if it enters their zone and head it away from danger before an attacking player can reach it.

Short corner

An alternative strategy for the attacking team is to take a short corner. The ball is kicked to a player located within ten yards of the kicker, to create a better angle of approach toward the goal.

A rarely seen "trick" version of the short corner was attempted during a tense top-of-the-table Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea in the 2008–09 season, causing much controversy and media discussion. The strategy involved United's Wayne Rooney, standing at the corner flag, pretending to change his mind about taking the corner and signalling to winger Ryan Giggs to do it instead. While leaving the arc, however, Rooney sneakily touched the ball, effectively putting it into play. With Chelsea's defence unprepared and expecting a conventional corner, Giggs took the ball, sprinted with it towards goal and crossed it for teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to score with a header. On this occasion, the goal was disallowed after the linesman, not having seen Rooney's taking of the corner, raised his flag, thus prompting the referee to stop play. The end result did not change much, though, as Manchester United scored again when the corner was retaken. A similar strategy was attempted by the Colombian national team at the 2014 World Cup against Greece, though once again the linesman penalized them for it. The strategy is rare.

Scoring a goal direct from a corner

The ball, shot by Cesáreo Onzari, scores a goal for Argentina against Uruguay. This was the first goal scored direct from a corner, in 1924.

It is possible to score direct from a corner kick if sufficient swerve is given to the kick, and/or there is a strong enough wind blowing in the goalward direction. This type of goal is called an Olympic goal (Spanish and Portuguese: gol olímpico) in Latin America.[17][18] The name dates from 2 October 1924, a few months after IFAB had legalised such goals, when Argentina's Cesáreo Onzari scored against Uruguay, who had just won the 1924 Olympic title.[17][18][25] The expression "Olympic goal" is uncommon in English-speaking countries,[17] but has some use in the United States, for example by Max Bretos on Fox Soccer Channel, reflecting Latino influence on the sport's culture there. The goalkeeper is usually considered at fault if a goal is scored from a corner.[25]

Although FIFA states the first goal from a corner was scored by Billy Alston in Scotland on 21 August 1924,[17][18] in fact Alston's goal was from a header on 23 August 1923.[18] The first in England was by Huddersfield Town's Billy Smith on 11 October 1924. Portuguese footballer João Morais scored a direct corner kick for Sporting Clube de Portugal in the 1964 European Cup Winners' Cup Final, eventually deciding the match and the destiny of the trophy. The world record holder for most direct corner kick goals is a Turkish player named Sükrü Gülesin, during his career he scored 32 goals directly from corners. In the 1950s this apparently appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as a world best.[26] The first Olympic goal at the Olympic Games was Megan Rapinoe's for the United States against Canada in the 2012 women's semifinal.[27] The only Olympic goal in the World Cup was scored for Colombia by Marcos Coll, beating goalkeeper Lev Yashin in a 4–4 draw with the Soviet Union in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. In January 2012, Paul Owens took advantage of strong winds to score two goals direct from corners in the second half of Coleraine's 3–1 win over Glenavon in the Irish Premiership.[28]

Corner instead of own goal from restart

Most methods of restarting the game do not permit the scoring of an own goal directly from the restart;[nb 1] if the ball enters the goal directly, a corner is awarded instead. This is the case for the kick-off,[31] goal kick,[nb 2][nb 3] dropped-ball[nb 4], throw-in,[34] corner kick,[nb 3][38] and free kick (indirect and direct).[39] Such incidents are extremely rare, and in some cases require unusual or extraordinary circumstances in order to occur (for example, a ball from a corner kick would have to travel the entire length of the field and enter the kicker's own goal without being touched by any other player).

In a 1983–84 English Third Division match, Millwall were incorrectly credited with a goal against Wimbledon rather than a corner, when Wally Downes' free-kick backpass eluded an off-guard Dave Beasant.[40][41] In a 2002–03 FA Premier League match, Birmingham City scored when Olof Mellberg's throw-in backpass was missed by Aston Villa goalkeeper Peter Enckelman, who reacted with dismay but later claimed he had made no contact and the goal should not have been awarded. His reaction may have persuaded referee David Elleray that Enckelman had grazed the ball; manager Graham Taylor suggested it showed he was unaware of the corner rule, a charge Enckelman denied.[42][43][44]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ A theoretical exception is the penalty kick;[29] however, since the ball must be kicked forward, an own goal from a penalty kick would require an extraordinary set of circumstances to occur.[30]
  2. ↑ A corner is awarded provided the ball left the penalty area before entering the goal; otherwise the goal kick is retaken.[32]
  3. 1 2 This was explicitly added to the Laws of the Game in 2016,[35][36] having previously been an official IFAB interpretation.[37]
  4. ↑ This was added to the Laws of the Game in 2012, in order to prevent scoring a goal on an "uncontested" dropped-ball.[33] A corner kick is only awarded if the ball enters the own goal directly from the first touch after a properly taken dropped-ball; an improperly taken dropped-ball is retaken.

References

Sources

  • (LOTG) International Football Association Board (2017). "Laws of the Game 2017–2018" (PDF). FIFA.

Citations

  1. ↑ Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1863). Wikisource. "In case the ball goes behind the goal line, if a player on the side to whom the goal belongs first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick from the goal line at the point opposite the place where the ball shall be touched. If a player of the opposite side first touches the ball, one of his side shall be entitled to a free kick (but at the goal only) from a point 15 yards from the goal line opposite the place where the ball is touched. The opposing side shall stand behind their goal line until he has had his kick."
  2. ↑ Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1867). Wikisource. "When the ball is kicked behind the goal line, it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal."
  3. ↑ Wikisource link to Sheffield Rules (March 1867). Wikisource. "When the ball is kicked behind the goal line or over the bars of the goal or rouge flags, it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal."
  4. 1 2 "Rouge" (1867-03-22). "To the editor of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph". Sheffield Daily Telegraph (3680): 4.
  5. ↑ Wikisource link to Sheffield Rules (1868). Wikisource.
  6. ↑ Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1872). Wikisource. "When the ball is kicked over the bar of the goal, it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went, within six yards from the limit of their goal. The side who thus kick the ball are entitled to a fair kick off in whatever way they please; the opposite side not being allowed to approach within six yards of the ball. When the ball is kicked behind the goal line, a player of the opposite side to that which kicked it out shall kick it from the nearest corner flag. No player to be allowed within six yards of the ball until kicked."
  7. ↑ Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1873). Wikisource. 1873.
  8. 1 2 Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1883). Wikisource. "When a player kicks the ball, or throws it in from touch, any one of the same side who, at such moment of kicking or throwing, is nearer to the opponents' goal-line is out of play, and may not touch the ball himself, nor in any way whatever prevent any other player from doing so until the ball has been played, unless there are at such moment of kicking or throwing at least three of his opponents nearer their own goal line; but no player is out of play in the case of a corner-kick or when the ball is kicked from the goal line, or when it has been last played by an opponent."
  9. 1 2 3 Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1875). Wikisource. "In no case shall a goal be scored from any free kick, nor shall the ball be again played by the kicker until it has been played by another player. The kick-off and corner-flag kick shall be free kicks within the meaning of this rule"
  10. ↑ Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1874). Wikisource. "When the ball is kicked behind the goal-line by one of the opposite side, it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal line it went, within six yards of the nearest goal post; but if kicked behind by any one of the side whose goal line it is, a player of the opposite side shall kick it from within one yard of the nearest corner flag-post. In either case no other player shall be allowed within six yards of the ball until kicked off."
  11. ↑ Wikisource link to Laws of the Game (1888). Wikisource. "When the ball is played behind the goal-line by one of the opposite side, it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal line it went within six yards of the nearest goal-post; but if played behind by any one of the side whose goal-line it is, a player of the opposite side shall kick it from within one yard of the nearest corner flag-post. In either case no opponent shall be allowed within six yards of the ball until it is kicked off."
  12. ↑ "International Football Assocation Board: 1914 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting" (PDF).
  13. ↑ "The New Free Kick Law". The Athletic News and Cyclists' Journal (1984): 1. 1913-10-06.
  14. ↑ "That Corner Kick Rule". The Daily Mail. Hull (12209): 2. 1924-11-19.
  15. ↑ "Corner Kick Ruling". Western Morning News. Plymouth (20189): 2. 1924-11-29.
  16. ↑ "Off-Side Change Carried". Berwickshire News. Duns: 8. 1925-06-23.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Getting to grips with the 'gol olímpico'". Off the ball. FIFA. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 Barnade, Oscar (October 2004). "El gol olímpico cumple 80". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  19. ↑ "Minutes of the AGM of the IFAB" (PDF). London: SSBRA. 15 June 1924. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  20. ↑ "International Football Assocation Board: 1997 Minutes of the Annual General Meeting" (PDF). p. 140. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  21. ↑ http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Seas1900-39/1902-03/IFAB1902.html
  22. ↑ Farrell, Gerard (1 October 2015). "The 1945 Inter-City Cup: War, Goals, Controversy and death by corner kicks". Bohemian FC. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  23. ↑ DeLoughry, Sean (28 May 2015). "Ireland - Dublin City Cup Winners". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  24. ↑ Law 17 - The corner kick, Laws of the game on FIFA.com (Archive, 10 Apr 2014)
  25. 1 2 Freddi, Cris (March 2003). "Gol olimpico". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 2009-11-17.
  26. ↑ Christenson, Marcus (27 March 2012). "Has anyone scored more than Lionel Messi in one season?" – via The Guardian.
  27. ↑ Wahl, Grant (6 August 2012). "Olympics: USA vs Canada". Sports Illustrated. CNN. Retrieved 25 August 2017. ; Wahl, Grant (6 August 2012). "Unquiet American". Sports Illustrated.
  28. ↑ BartholomaeusBaer (22 January 2012). "Paul Owens scores two direct corners in a game" – via YouTube.
  29. ↑ LOTG 14 "A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick"
  30. ↑ LOTG 14.1 "The player taking the penalty kick must kick the ball forward"
  31. ↑ LOTG 8.1
  32. ↑ LOTG 16
  33. ↑ LOTG 8.2; FIFA Circular 1302 p.3
  34. ↑ LOTG 15
  35. ↑ Thomas, Andi (14 Apr 2016). "The rules of soccer are changing! You can't score an own goal from a corner anymore". SBNation. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  36. ↑ IFAB (April 2016). "Revision of The Laws of the Game: Summary of the Law changes for 2016/17 effective from 1 June 2016" (PDF). pp. 53, 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  37. ↑ "2016–2017 Law Changes for USSF Referees" (PDF). HVSRA. June 2016. pp. 42, 44. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  38. ↑ LOTG 17
  39. ↑ LOTG 13.1
  40. ↑ Simpson, Paul; Hesse, Uli (2013-11-07). "Why can'y you score an own goal from a direct free kick?". Who Invented the Stepover?: and other crucial football conundrums. Profile Books. p. 78. ISBN 9781847658425. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  41. ↑ Ward, Andrew (2016-02-12). "Referee who Forgot the Rules". Football's Strangest Matches: Extraordinary but true stories from over a century of football. Pavilion Books. p. 148. ISBN 9781911042280. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  42. ↑ "Freak goal stuns Taylor". BBC Sport. 17 September 2002.
  43. ↑ Parish, Steve (November 2002). "Wrong side of the laws". When Saturday Comes (189). Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  44. ↑ "Enckelman: I knew the rules". TheGuardian.com. 17 September 2002. Retrieved 16 August 2017.

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