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IFAB Laws of the Game · Law 17

Law 17: The Corner Kick

Corner kick procedure, the corner arc, opponent distance and offences by the kicker.

Key points of Law 17

Corner kick procedure

The ball is placed in the corner arc nearest the point where it crossed the goal line and is in play once kicked and clearly moving; it need not leave the arc. Opponents must be at least 9.15 m away until then.

Law 17 practice questions

6 questions on The Corner Kick, each with the correct answer and an explanation of the reasoning. These are drawn from the free question bank.

Question 1 Law 17 standard

At a corner kick, must the ball leave the corner arc before it is in play?

A No — the ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves, and it need not leave the arc Correct answer
B Yes — the ball must wholly leave the corner arc
C Yes, and it must also leave the penalty area
D No, but it must be touched by a second player first
Why Law 17: the ball is placed in the corner arc nearest to where it crossed the goal line and is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves. It does not need to leave the corner arc.
Question 2 Law 17 standard

A corner kick is swung directly into the kicker's own goal without touching anyone. What is the decision?

A A corner kick to the opposing team Correct answer
B A goal to the opposing team
C A goal kick to the kicker's team
D The corner kick is retaken
Why Law 17: a goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opponents. If the ball enters the kicker's own goal directly, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.
Question 3 Law 17 intro

How far must opponents remain from the corner arc until the ball is in play?

A At least 9.15 m Correct answer
B At least 5.5 m
C At least 4 m
D At least 11 m
Why Law 17: opponents must remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the corner arc until the ball is in play. The arc, not the ball, is the reference point.
Question 4 Law 17 standard

The kicker asks to move the corner flagpost because it is obstructing the delivery. What should the referee say?

A The corner flagpost must not be moved Correct answer
B It may be removed for the duration of the corner kick
C It may be leaned back provided it is replaced immediately
D It may be moved if both captains agree
Why Law 17 states plainly that the corner flagpost must not be moved. Law 1 also requires a flagpost at each corner, at least 1.5 m high with a non-pointed top.
Question 5 Law 17 advanced

The corner-kick taker deliberately handles the ball again before another player touches it, just outside their opponents' penalty area. What is awarded?

A A direct free kick to the opponents Correct answer
B An indirect free kick to the opponents
C A penalty kick
D A dropped ball
Why Law 17: a deliberate second touch with the hand or arm is a handball offence like any other — a direct free kick to the opponents, or a penalty kick if it occurs inside the taker's own penalty area.
Question 6 Law 17 intro

Where must the ball be placed for a corner kick?

A In the corner area nearest to where the ball crossed the goal line Correct answer
B On the penalty mark
C Anywhere within the penalty area
D At the halfway line
Why Law 17: the ball is placed inside the corner arc at the corner nearest to the point where it passed wholly over the goal line, not simply somewhere convenient along the goal line.

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