Restarts
Corner kicks
Corners are one of football's most important attacking restarts. The rule itself is simple, but defending and attacking corners is one of the most rehearsed parts of the modern game.
When a corner is awarded
A corner is given when the ball last touches a player from the defending team before crossing that team's goal line, without a goal being scored.
The whole of the ball must cross the goal line, on the ground or in the air, without a goal being scored. The corner kick is taken from the corner area nearest to where the ball went out.
If an attacking player last touched the ball before it crossed the defending team's goal line, the restart is a goal kick instead.
How a corner is taken
The corner-kick technique is straightforward, but the rules around the corner area are precise.
The ball must be stationary and placed in the corner area — the quarter-circle marked at each corner of the pitch. The corner flag must not be moved. The kicker can be any player from the attacking team and the ball is in play as soon as it is clearly kicked and moves.
All opposing players must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the corner area until the ball is in play. After the kick, the kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
Goals from corners
A goal can be scored directly from a corner.
If the ball goes straight into the opponents' goal from a corner, without anyone else touching it, the goal is awarded. This is sometimes called an Olympic goal — they are rare, but they happen.
Most corners are not aimed at goal directly. They are crossed into the penalty area for an attacking player to head or shoot, or played short to a teammate who can then deliver a more controlled cross.
Attacking a corner
Corners are one of the most rehearsed parts of the modern game.
Inswinging cross
The ball curves towards the goal as it crosses the area, usually delivered by a right-footed player from the left side or a left-footed player from the right side.
Outswinging cross
The ball curves away from the goal as it crosses the area, dropping for attackers running onto it.
Short corner
A short pass to a teammate near the corner. The ball is then crossed or worked into a different angle of attack.
Near-post and far-post runs
Attackers make rehearsed runs to specific areas to meet the cross, often using blocks or screens to free a teammate.
Defending a corner
Defending corners is just as practised as attacking them.
Man-marking
Each defender is responsible for a specific attacker, following them around the box and trying to win headers and clearances.
Zonal marking
Defenders cover specific areas of the penalty area rather than individual attackers, attacking the ball as it comes through their zone.
Mixed marking
A combination of the two, with key defenders zonal at the front of the box and others picking up specific attackers.
Second-ball positions
Defenders and midfielders position themselves to win loose balls if the first clearance only reaches the edge of the penalty area.
What to read next
Corners are one of several restarts and set pieces in football.