Question Number: 19456

Law 17 - Corner Kick 6/19/2008

RE: Rec - U12, U14, U16 Other

Brian of Bedford, Nova Scotia Canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 19438

I'm a new ref and while this hasn't happened in any games I've done I've seen this happen a lot and I would like your take on the mechanics. My youngest has a coach that does those lame "trick" plays where before the corner kick a teammate runs in for the short pass - then passes back for the whollop to the net (as an aside - it never works for them - at least not to date - but I don't say anything - I won't criticize them if they offer the same consideration). Anyway - the defenders always start 10 yards back but as soon as they see the attackers teammate running to the corner - they follow. Now they are infringing on the 10 yards - but should the ref inform them of this or let the kick play on. I can see the following problem - ref informs the player, they go back 10 yards - but when the attacking teammate moves again - they follow again and this wastes a lot of time (this is all before the ball is kicked and in play). Would the ref need to hear the attacker say they want them to move back? I was curious since I was commenting on this to myself and I know some of the refs this year are new like me - and I'm not sure if they know either.

Thanks and I really enjoy the site.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You are correct, no matter how many helpers there are to take the corner kick, the opponents all must remain 10 yards away. If it appears that the team is not taking the corner kick quickly, the referee can step in and enforce the distance. Play would then be restarted with a whistle.

I suspect the reason teams try this tactic is because it moves the ball out from the goal line a bit, resulting in a better chance for a shot on goal without having to curl the ball as much. Good defenders will be able to "step up" to make the player offside just before the "whollop".

This play is not much of a trick. It's certainly not in league with the real trick corner where players try to fool the opponents into who is taking the kick, and after a slight touch by the first player, the second player begins dribbling away. That trick also has only limited success - if the team is too obvious the defenders aren't fooled, and if the team is too tricky the referee might be fooled! Beside, under certain circumstances, especially when the coach gets involved, the trick is unsporting.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

All opponets must remain 10 yards away from the corner arc until the referee HAS accepted the ball is in play. In these tricky garbage events the sharp defender will see the ball put into play and attack the ball immediately following in the supposedly new guy who is going to dribble that ball into play, the same coach who wanted to fool everyone will now claim the ball was not in play. A proactive referee should step in the very first time and establish the ten yards is not to be infringed and caution those so foolish as to not listen. If the coach is calling out Joe take it after Tom so causually tapped it over to him Joe had best take the corner as the referee is likely expecting JOE to take it. The coach CANNOT INVOLVE the referee in their schemes to decieve the opposition it is in fact USB action. If they did persist I would advise the opposing team of the same information.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee can verball remind them to back up the 10 yds. Then as soon as the ball is kicked and moves, the referee can say "that balls in play" to remind the defense that it is a live ball. Yeah the coaches and players of the attack will not be happy - but the spirit of the game is preserved by doing this. This prevents a lot of people mad at you and a potential disaster situation from arising.