There is nothing more nail-biting than when your team gets a corner kick. In soccer, the corner kick gives your team the advantage of being able to kick the ball nearer to the goal.
Usually, the majority of the players will head to the half of the pitch to help direct the ball into the goal.
Corner kicks are an important part of any soccer game. There have been some fantastic goals scored thanks to the corner kick.
You can either use a corner kick to attempt to score yourself or you can use it to get more time in possession of the ball.
The longer your team has the ball, the more chance you have at scoring. Keep that in mind before taking your corner kick.
Corner Kick: The Rules
Before we share with you the top ways to take a corner kick, we are going to start by taking a look at the rules.
You want your corner kick to count so let’s get the basics covered first.
1. The ball must be kicked by someone from the attacking team and it must be stationary
If you’re a fan of soccer, then this rule will seem pretty obvious to you. The ball must be kicked by a player on the attacking team. The corner kick allows the attacking team to shoot.
The ball must be stationary before being kicked too. This allows the kicker to slow things down. They now have the chance to think about what kicking strategy they are going to carry out.
Slowing the kick down will also give the kicker the time to analyze what the defending team is doing. Are they paying attention? Are they defending your best goal scorer?
Whatever they are doing, the player taking the corner can easily spot the best course of action.
2. The ball is seen as in play when it has been kicked
Whether the player takes a short or long kick from the corner, the ball is only in play once it has initially been kicked.
Nine out of ten times the ball is kicked from the corner into the penalty area. This gives the attacking team more of a chance to score.
However, if the team has a certain tactic that they’re following, they may use a corner kick to pass the ball to another player. This could result in a short pass which could lead to assisting a goal.
Using a short pass from the corner increases the amount of time the attacking team spends in the opposition’s goal area. Arguably, this can be seen as giving the team more time to get a goal.
Keeping possession of the ball for long periods is extremely beneficial during the game. The defending team will be working hard to win back the ball so your team strategy needs to be tight.
3. The corner kick must be taken in the corner nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line
Now, it would be so much easier if the attacking team could decide exactly where they wanted to kick the ball back into play. However, this is not how soccer goes.
When the ball is kicked out of play near the goal line, then the kick must be taken at the nearest corner where the ball past the line.
There are four corners on a soccer field. Depending on which corner it needs to be kicked in from, there could be a certain player the team or coach chooses to use.
This is because each player has one stronger foot. If the ball is kicked out to the right of the goal, then a player with a strong left foot would be better suited. The team would decide before the game who would be taking the corner kicks.
4. All defending players must be situated at least 10 yards away from the corner until the ball has been kicked into play
It is quite natural for the defending team to want to get as close as possible to the ball. The closer they can get to the ball, the greater chance they have at blocking the shot or putting the kicker off.
However, in 1914 it was ruled that opposition players could only stand within 10 yards of the ball when placed in the corner. Previously, the rules had varied from being able to stand wherever they wanted or to be within 6 yards of the ball.
The great thing about corner kicks is that it gives the attacking team a chance to get the ball into the penalty area. The more time the ball spends in this area, the more chances you have at scoring.
By not having this rule in place, the game would be less exciting for the audience.
It would also be extremely annoying for the players to not be given a chance to score or even get the ball into the opposing team’s goal area.
5. The corner flag should not be moved
During a soccer game, there should be no reason for the corner flag to be moved. They are an essential part of the game and must stay in place for the full duration of the game.
Even if a player complains that the corner flag is in the way of their corner kick, they are still not permitted to remove it.
It is also frowned upon for a player to lean or bend the corner flag. Players sometimes will try to do this if the flag is in the way of their kick.
If the corner flag falls over during a game, then a player is allowed to pick it up and put it back into place. This is the only acceptable way a player should move the corner flag during a soccer game.
How to Take the Perfect Corner Kick
So, how do you make the perfect corner kick? We have put together some of the top tips on how to take the best kick.
There are a few different ways to take a great corner kick and we are going to share with you exactly what they are below.
The Short Kick
This type of kick from the corner is best when you are faced with heavy defense at the goal. This kick aims to pass to a nearby teammate. They then can drive the ball closer to the goal.
You will then be able to get closer to the goalposts yourself. This is a great tactic to use in a close-knit team.
Before the game begins, make sure that you and your team go through each strategy so everyone knows the plan of action.
The In-Swinger
This type of corner kick aims to shoot it towards the outer edge of the penalty box so it swings back towards the goal.
This type of shot is usually taken on the opposite side corner as your strong foot. For example, if you are left-footed, you will take this kick on the right corner.
Before you begin, you will want to use the top inner part of your foot to kick the ball. You should look to kick the ball somewhere in the middle, towards the lower curve.
It is super important to kick the ball with some force. Don’t hold back when you start to swing your foot. Let your leg swing fully through after the kick. This will give you the most powerful shot.
This type of corner kick is ideal for an assisted goal. If your teammates are situated near the goal post closest to you, they will be able to carry out the perfect header.
The Out-Swinger
Alternatively, another type of kick from the corner is the out-swinger. This is taken from the same side corner as your strong foot. For example, if you’re right-footed, you will take this kick from the right corner.
This type of kick will curve the ball away from the goalposts. This is a good technique to use if the attacking team and goalkeeper are heavily defending their goal.
It allows the kicker to kick the ball away from the goal to another player on their team.
The downside of this movement is that it creates further distance between the ball and the goal. If you are going to make this kick, ensure that your teammates are there to assist your kick.
The Dipping Ball
This technique can look seriously impressive. The kick is similar to the in-swinger however the ball dips at its highest point and spins slightly. This kick needs a lot of momentum.
For the best results, kick the ball towards the center but slightly higher than where you would kick if using the in-swinger technique. When your foot meets the ball, drag your foot up the ball to create that special spinning motion.
This technique looks awesome. It can be difficult to master though so grab your team and get practicing. If you manage to kick the ball in this style, let us know! We’ll be really impressed!
The Drop Kick
This type of kick needs to be used in very certain situations. If your goalkeeper is looking uneasy and you have plenty of teammates ready to assist your corner, try this out!
To carry out this kick, hit the ball low to create some backspin. You will need to be confident when kicking in this technique as it will help you to follow through with a strong short kick.
When you take this kick, you will want to aim for the penalty area. Make sure your teammates know how you’re going to play so you have a better chance of scoring.
How to Assist a Corner Kick in Soccer
The best way to help to assist a corner kick in soccer is to begin the game with a game plan. During your training session with your team, take some time to discuss different ways in which you can score a goal.
When the ball is in play there are so many ways that you and your team can take a shot. However, when you get a corner during a game it can be a really helpful move to get a goal.
As you have already learned, there are several types of corner kicks that you can take. Each corner kick has a different aim.
The in-swinger aims to get the ball directly in the net whereas using a short kick or out-swinger can direct the ball to another teammate.
If you are faced with an ace goalkeeper and the defending is next level, you are going to want to try to pass the ball to another one of your teammates.
If you are watching your teammate take a corner kick, take a second to see how the defense is looking. If they’re very centralized around the goal, you may want to find a free space to gain possession of the ball.
When you try to find that free space, ensure that you still have sight of the goal. When the ball is kicked into play, the defense will disperse from the goal area. This will give you more room to shoot the ball.
If you’re lucky enough to have this opportunity, go for it. It’s worth the risk if the strategy has all gone to plan and you could get a goal by doing so.
Other Things to Note Before Taking a Corner Kick
You have now learned the rules of taking a corner kick, how to take the perfect corner kick and how to assist a teammate with a corner kick. You could say that you’re a bit of an expert now!
There are some frequently asked questions surrounding corner kicks in soccer. Instead of keeping you guessing, we have put below six additional facts about corner kicks. These should put your mind at ease.
You can score from a corner kick
The reason why many players love to get a corner kick is that you are permitted to score from this spot. There have been some absolutely incredible scores made from corner kicks in the past. Ones that make you shout out loud!
It takes an extremely skilled player to be able to score directly from the corner. A great example of a top corner kick goal is from the 2015 FC Dallas vs. NYCFC game.
Michel had the opportunity to take a corner and the ball curved straight into the goal. This is a perfect example of the in-swinger type of kick.
If a player manages to score from a corner kick, it is a huge achievement. Many players who have scored from this position, may also be surprised by their goal.
You can make a substitution at a corner kick
Another thing that is important to remember when you’re taking a corner kick is that you will be able to make a substitution if agreed with the referee. Every soccer fan has a different opinion on whether this is a good or bad move.
Arguments against making a substitution at a corner kick include confusing the defending team. If the defending team makes a substitution during this time then the team’s flow will no longer be aligned.
During a corner kick, each player will know the strategy that they’re meant to take.
In some instances, each player will have a specific action. If the substitute comes on during the corner kick, then they may not be fully up to speed with the gameplay tactic. This can lower the defense level of the team.
Meanwhile, when it comes to the attacking team there is a similar pattern. Introducing a substitute during a corner kick can throw off the other players.
The gameplay has already been agreed and there may now be some questions as to who is doing what. This can lower the attack of the team.
On the other hand, introducing a substitute during the corner kick can have its advantages. If your team has its plan well communicated, then everyone will know exactly what to do. This will only up the level of attack or defense of the players.
The corner kick is a direct kick
There are two types of kicks in soccer. One is a direct kick and the other is an indirect kick. A direct kick is a type of kick that you can score from. A corner kick is one of those kicks.
That is why you will see a lot of corner takers attempt to score directly from that position. In many cases, it fails. However, with a lot of practice and skill, you will be able to bag that corner kick goal.
If you’re unsure what an indirect kick is, then let us help you out. An indirect kick in soccer is when the ball needs to be touched by another player on the field before being permitted to score.
You cannot be offside from a corner kick
Another benefit of a corner kick is that you cannot be granted offside when taking one. If a player receives the ball from a corner kick then they will not be deemed as offside.
However, as soon as that player passes the ball to the second player, the offside rule is reinstated. This is a huge advantage to the attacking team as they can get as close to the goal as they like.
This is where the nail-biting goals come from. There are some goals where you think how on earth didn’t they get that in the net!
A corner kick and goal kick are not the same things
Yes, that’s right! They’re not the same thing. A corner kick is taken from a corner of the soccer field. A goal kick is taken by the goalkeeper at the 6-yard box.
When would a team be awarded a goal kick? It is given to a team when the ball is kicked out of play by the attacking team. The goalkeeper would then win possession of the ball.
This move will give the goalkeeper a chance to kick the ball further up the field. This will force the players to run to the opposing side of the pitch. Thus, giving the goalkeeper’s team a better chance of scoring a goal.
Summary
We hope that we have helped you learn everything you need to know about taking a corner kick in soccer. Corner kicks are a great advantage to your team so make sure you give it your all!
Whatever way you decide to kick, ensure that your teammates are aware of your strategy. Communication with your teammates can help you boost your morale and score more goals.
Even if you haven’t been chosen to take a corner kick just yet, don’t sweat it! Your time will come. In the meantime, help your corner kicker out by assisting that sweet goal.
