Corner Kick Rules & Infringements: A Referee's Guide

Corner Kick Rules and Common Infringements: A Comprehensive Guide

Corner kicks are a frequent and important part of football. Understanding the rules and common infringements is crucial for referees at all levels. This guide provides a detailed overview of Law 17, focusing on proper procedure and how to handle common situations.

Key Takeaways:

* The ball must be placed within the corner arc, and the corner flag must not be moved.

* Opponents must remain at least 9.15m (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play.

* The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves.

Setting Up the Corner Kick: Placement and Requirements

Correct Ball Placement

Law 17 clearly states that the ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line. This is a non-negotiable requirement. You, as the referee, must ensure this is adhered to before allowing the kick to be taken. The corner flag post must also not be moved.

Opponent Positioning: The 9.15m Distance

One of the most frequent issues during corner kicks is encroachment by defending players. Law 17 mandates that all opposing players must remain at least 9.15m (10 yards) from the corner arc until the ball is in play. As a referee, positioning yourself to observe this distance is vital. Use your assistant referee for help if needed.

The Ball is in Play

The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves. This is a critical point. If the player touches the ball but it does not clearly move, the corner kick has not been taken, and you must instruct the player to retake it. Players often try to 'nudge' the ball and then dribble; this is not allowed. The ball must clearly move to be considered in play.

Performing the Corner Kick: Procedure and Execution

Kicking the Ball

The corner kick must be taken by a player of the attacking team. A player who is not from the attacking team cannot take the corner kick. The kicker must not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player. If they do, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot where the infringement occurred (Law 13).

Infringements by the Kicker

A common infringement is the kicker touching the ball again before it has been touched by another player. This is often unintentional, but it still results in an indirect free kick for the defending team. Another infringement is touching the ball with a hand/arm before it is in play. This is penalised with a direct free kick.

Infringements by Other Players

Players from the attacking team can also be penalised during a corner kick. For example, if an attacker is standing within the 9.15m distance and interfering with the goalkeeper, they can be penalised with an indirect free kick. Similarly, pushing or holding a defender before the ball is in play is a foul.

Common Corner Kick Infringements and How to Handle Them

Encroachment

As mentioned earlier, encroachment is a very common issue. If a defender is within the 9.15m distance when the kick is taken, you have a few options. If the player gains an advantage from being closer than 9.15m, you can stop play and award an indirect free kick to the attacking team from the spot where the infringement occurred. However, if the encroachment is minimal and does not affect play, you can allow play to continue, remembering that the Law allows you to manage the game using common sense and "spirit of the game" principles. Persistent encroachment, even if minimal, should be addressed with a caution (Law 12).

Kicker Touching the Ball Twice

This is a frequent mistake, especially at lower levels. If the kicker touches the ball again before another player, award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from where the second touch occurred. Explain the reason for the decision to the kicker to help prevent it happening again.

Interference

Interference can take many forms. An attacker impeding the goalkeeper's movement or vision is a common example. This is penalised with an indirect free kick to the defending team. Similarly, a defender unfairly obstructing an attacker's run is a foul and should be penalised accordingly.

Practical Examples of Corner Kick Scenarios

Scenario 1: Encroachment with No Advantage

During a corner kick, a defender is 9m from the ball instead of 9.15m. The kick is taken, and the ball goes directly out of play without touching the defender. Do you stop play?

* Ruling: No. The encroachment did not affect play. Allow play to continue. However, make a mental note of the player and warn them if they continue to encroach.

Scenario 2: Kicker Touches the Ball Twice

A player takes a corner kick but accidentally touches the ball again with their foot before anyone else touches it. What is the correct decision?

* Ruling: Award an indirect free kick to the opposing team from the spot where the second touch occurred. Explain to the player that they cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.

Scenario 3: Attacker Impeding the Goalkeeper

During a corner kick, an attacker is standing directly in front of the goalkeeper, preventing them from seeing the ball. The corner is taken, and the goalkeeper misses the ball, which goes into the net. What should you do?

* Ruling: Disallow the goal and award an indirect free kick to the defending team. The attacker was interfering with the goalkeeper, preventing them from playing the ball. The restart is an indirect free kick from where the attacker was standing.

Scenario 4: Corner Flag Displaced

Before a corner kick can be taken, the defending team moves the corner flag. What should you do?

* Ruling: Stop play, ensure the flag is correctly replaced, and then allow the corner kick to proceed. The corner flag must be in place for the corner kick to be valid.

FAQ: Corner Kick Rules and Clarifications

What happens if the ball bursts during a corner kick?

If the ball bursts or becomes defective during a corner kick, the corner kick is retaken with a ball that meets the requirements of Law 2.

Can a goal be scored directly from a corner kick?

Yes, a goal can be scored directly from a corner kick. This is a perfectly legal and valid goal. Many famous goals have been scored directly from corners!

What happens if the ball goes out of play after the corner kick is taken but before it's touched by another player?

If the ball goes out of play after the corner kick is taken but before it's touched by another player, the corner kick is retaken. The ball must remain in play after the kick for it to be a valid corner kick.

If a player is injured while taking a corner kick, what is the procedure?

If a player is injured while taking a corner kick, stop play and assess the injury. If the player requires treatment, they must leave the field of play and can only return with your permission. The corner kick is then retaken by another player from the same team, once play restarts.

Make sure you are confident in your understanding of corner kicks and other Laws of the Game.

Enhance Your Refereeing Skills with RefereeGPT

Mastering the Laws of the Game is a continuous process. Use RefereeGPT to test your knowledge, analyse match scenarios, and improve your decision-making. Sign up today and take your refereeing to the next level!