A corner kick is the method of restarting play in a game of association football when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, without a goal being scored and having last been touched by a member of the defending team. The kick is taken from the corner of the field of play nearest to the place where the ball crossed the goal line.
Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur) taking a corner kick against Manchester United. The Tottenham players (blue) attempt to move into position to direct the corner towards the goal, while the United players (red, with goalkeeper in yellow) attempt to defend. The assistant referee (green, with flag) ensures that the corner is taken from inside the quarter-circle area.
Alessandro Del Piero takes a corner kick for Sydney FC.
Corner area of the football field.
Player takes a corner kick
Scoring in association football
In games of association football, teams compete to score the most goals during the match. A goal is scored when the ball passes completely over a goal line at either end of the field of play between two centrally positioned upright goal posts 24 feet (7.32 m) apart and underneath a horizontal crossbar at a height of 8 feet (2.44 m) — this frame is itself referred to as a goal. Each team aims to score at one end of the pitch, while preventing their opponents from scoring at the other end. Nets are usually attached to the goal frame to catch goalscoring balls, but the ball is not required to touch the net.
A goal being scored (1961)
Atlético Madrid players celebrate a goal with a group hug
Illustration of the goals used at Rugby School (1858)