The Soccer Corner Kick

The soccer corner kick is both a rule and a playing fundamental. On this page I will try to give you a good understanding of both what the rule is and how to perform a corner kick.

Basic Structure

When the ball crosses the goal side line and the last player to touch the ball belongs to the team on whose side of the field the ball went out on, then a corner kick occurs.

In simpler terms, if you kick the ball across your own goal line, then the other team gets a corner kick.

A corner kick is performed by setting the ball on the corner of the field nearest to where it went out, and taking a free kick from there.

Performing a
Soccer Corner Kick

There are a few pretty standard strategies in taking a corner kick which I will cover.

First you must already have the mindset that one of the best places for the ball to end up on a corner is the penalty area.

Most of these strategies are just ways to get it there.

Why is this a good place for the ball? It is very easy to shoot or head the ball into the goal from the penalty area. It is also far enough out that most goalkeepers will not risk running that far away from the goal.

Okay, now that we have that established, here are the strategies for performing a soccer corner kick:

First is just trying to kick the ball directly into the penalty area and have a player there ready to head it in. This gets the ball where you want it and will often work, however many skilled teams will make sure to cover the penalty area well.

There is also the strategy of aiming for the near or far goal post, and have a player head it into the penalty area or into the goal if possible.

Another common approach to the soccer corner kick is to kick a long cross just outside the penalty box and have a player run in and take the shot. This is useful when done correctly, but takes near perfection which is hard to do.

Some teams will just have a player run out to the kicker for a short pass. This will open a good offense and it can make for an easier angle as well.

Defending Against the Soccer Corner Kick

When defending against a corner kick, a good goalkeeper is important. You will want him/her to be able to move quickly across the front of the goal (in a small arching movement), dive well for saves, and know how to be in the right place to make the smallest opening for a shot.

Also it is important to have a player at each goal post, and to cover the penalty area well.

I have given you a few strategies to watch and be prepared for, however it is also important to keep in mind that these are not the only ways to perform a corner and often times coaches will attempt new ways of scoring to catch you off guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Is offside applied on a corner kick?
  A: No.
• Q: Does the ball need to be touched by another player than the kicker before a goal can be scored on a corner kick?
  A: No.
• Q: How far away do the opposing players have to be when a corner kick is taken?
  A: 10 yards (9.15 meters).