Question Number: 12982

Law 17 - Corner Kick 6/7/2006

RE: Classic, U13G

Bill Sayre of Greenwood, SC USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 12951

I had a corner flag situation for which I'd like some feedback. It was a fairly windy day, and the corner flags, having springs at the base, were bending over quite a bit. One young lady held the flag by its fabric in order to keep the flagstick vertical while taking the corner kick. Of course, her run up to the ball was quite a bit reduced (only one step) and she did not develop much power on the kick. My feeling was she did not gain an advantage, so I simply allowed the kick to proceed. Of course, it would have been much simpler for her to move the ball around to the other side of the arc, but she made that choice, and I decided "so be it". There was at least one person I heard complain from the sidelines about her holding the flag, but I still think I made the correct "no call". Do you agree? As always, I so appreciate your website as it has helped us all consider other points of view while enjoying the learning experience in this grand game. Please keep up this outstanding resource!

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

I would agree with your no call as well. The admonition that players are not to interfere with the corner flag is based on a player attempting to move it out of the way to get a better try at the corner kick...or attempt to gain an unfair advantage. Just as a GK --or any other player-- cannot move a goal post (also compulsory) to get to the ball, neither can the corner flag be moved out of the way. It would appear that the corner flag in this instance was returned to the position in which it was supposed to be, rather than being moved out of the way. And, it also appears to have hampered her ability to take the corner kick, rather than unfairly give an advantage to her or her team. Chalk it up to another parent displaying their ignorance by opening their mouth....

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The original design of a corner flagpost, a length of wood, is hard to force into firm earth. Engineers were consulted and newer designs appeared, they made smaller holes and were easier to force into the earth. They fell over. Engineers went back to the drawing board and put spring thingys between the point and the flagpost. They were easy to force into the ground and they didn't blow down for long because the spring forced them back to an upright position. They cost more. They wore out and because they cost more they were not replaced.

Now they fall down and stay there, in the way! Players move them out of the way by trying to move them back into an upright position. We allow that sort of thing with an old fashioned flagpost, why not with the re-engineered ones? Good decision.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

I agree with your decision. Good no call.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Bill,
I have a PET peeve about spring like antena flag posts see question #12960. Still the fact they snap back to me are really unsafe as are the metal fixtures of some heavy duty reinforced ones.
In situations as you describe I too see no need to get excited. In fact a gentle suggestion to reposition the ball or even a teammate to hold the flag would not bother me in the slightest. Cheers