Corner Kick
A football (soccer) restart taken from the corner arc after the defending team last touched the ball over its own goal line.
Definition
A corner kick is awarded when the ball wholly crosses the goal line outside the goal, having last been touched by a defender. The attacking team places the ball inside the corner arc nearest to where it went out and kicks it back into play, and a goal may be scored directly from a corner.
Corners are valuable attacking set-piece opportunities, often delivered into the penalty area for headers or knock-downs, and teams rehearse specific routines for them. Field hockey has related restarts — the penalty corner and long corner — but these operate under their own distinct rules and should not be confused with the soccer corner.
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Rules
- Backcourt violationA basketball rule breach for returning the ball into a team's own defensive half after it has crossed into the attacking half.
- Direct and indirect free kicksThe two types of free kick awarded in football to restart play after a foul or other stoppage.
- Throw-inThe method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
- OffsideA rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
- Penalty kick awardA one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.
Positions
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- Centre-backA centre-back is a central defender in football whose main job is to stop opposing attackers and clear the ball from dangerous areas.
- HookerThe hooker is a front-row forward in rugby who wins the ball in the scrum and typically throws the ball into the line-out.
- PivotThe pivot is a handball attacker who plays close to the opposition defence, setting screens and looking for chances near the goal area.
- Full-backA full-back is a defender who plays on the left or right side of the defence, defending the flank while also supporting attacks down the wing.
Strategies
- Set-Piece StrategyThe deliberate plan for turning dead-ball restarts — corners, free-kicks, throw-ins, serves — into chances to score or to defend.
- Possession vs Direct PlayThe strategic choice between retaining the ball to build attacks patiently and moving it forward quickly and directly toward the goal.
Tactics
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- Set-piece playRehearsed routines from a dead-ball situation such as a corner, free kick or throw-in used to create chances.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
Equipment
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Shin guardsProtective pads worn over the shins in football and other field sports.
- Football boots (cleats)Studded footwear that grips the pitch for football and other field sports.
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
Scoring systems
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- 2026-08-04
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