Question Number: 25301

Law 17 - Corner Kick 8/11/2011

RE: Competitive Under 19

Jay Ramey of El Dorado Hills, C USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25261

In following up to Dennis Wickham's statement.

'However, if the kicking player had merely stepped on top of the ball and then left it for the next player, who dribbles it away, that would not have been a legal restart. But even that is not punished with a caution, as it is not misconduct; in that case, the referee would call the second player for a double touch and award an indirect free kick to the opposing team.'

Regarding the corner kick... I will admit I do not follow what is being mentioned. Could you explain in greater detail.

Thanks,

Jay

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

For a ball to be put into play, it must be kicked and moved. Simply tapping the ball on the top will cause it to vibrate, but unless it is moved 'from here to there' the ball is not in play.

If the ball is not in play from the first touch, then the second player is the one who puts it into play. Since we know that a player cannot touch the ball sequentially when putting it into play, when that player begins dribbling away he is called for a 'second-touch' infraction. The other team gets an indirect free kick from the point of the second touch.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Many times the players who initiate the trick corner kick do not properly put the ball in play. They simple tap the top of the ball. Unless the ball has been kicked and moves (ITOOTR), the 'second player' is the one that actually puts the ball into play (and will be guilty of a second touch).

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jay
While the ball does not have to leave the corner arc for it to be in play the ball must be kicked and moved. Simply tapping the top of the ball is not a legal restart.
Now for the player to be penalised for a double touch restart the ball must be inside the arc on his 1st touch otherwise it cannot be a legal restart for that player.
If the ball is outside the arc and the player comes to collect the ball the double touch cannot apply and it is either allowed as the ball was previously in play or a retake.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 25702