When is a corner kick given?
B · Beginner · Kick-offs, free kicks, penalties and other restarts · 15 of 17A corner kick is given when a defender last touched the ball before the whole of it crossed their own goal line, without a goal. It is also given when the goalkeeper holds the ball for more than eight seconds or a team delays its goal kick. The ball is kicked from the corner area, opponents 9.15 metres away, and a goal can be scored straight from it.
How it works
- The ball is placed in the corner area nearest where it went out, or nearest the goalkeeper's position for an eight-second offence.
- It is kicked by an attacker and is in play when kicked and plainly moving. It need not leave the corner area.
- The corner flagpost must not be moved.
- Opponents stay at least 9.15 metres from the corner arc until the ball is in play.
- No offside directly from a corner kick.
- The kicker cannot touch it again until another player has.
Tricky cases
Can a player take a short corner and play it back to themselves?
No. The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has. A teammate can play it back.
Can a corner be reviewed by VAR?
Only if the competition chooses, and only when it can be changed at once without delaying the restart (new in 2026/27).
Why the rule exists
It gives the attack a set piece near goal as a reward for forcing the defence to put the ball behind.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | As above | L17; L12.3 |
| Competitions with the VAR corner option | A wrongly awarded corner can be corrected | VAR protocol 2 e |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Laws 12.3 and 17, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).