Question Number: 26420

Law 17 - Corner Kick 6/4/2012

RE: Development Under 11

Kerry of St. Albert, Alberta Canada asks...

While players have to stay 10 feet away during the corner kick, if the attacking team has a player run to the corner to accept a short pass can the defending team also go inside the 10 foot area? (Ball hasn't been kicked yet by the attacking team).. Or can only the attacking team place another player in the 10 foot area before the ball is kicked?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Kerry
On a corner kick the opposing players must remain 10 yards away from the corner arc until the ball is kicked and moves.
So only the attacking team can have players closer than 10 yards at a corner kick. Many field of plays have a mark on the goal line to show the 10 yards that opponents may not encroach beyond.
In most instances the referee will call to the encroaching player/s not to encroach until the ball is put into play. There is no onus on the kicking team to take the kick while there is an opponent within the 10 yard zone.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The defense has to remain ten yards from the corner arc (11 yards from the corner flag) until the ball is kicked and moved. The attackers are permitted to do a short kick. The defender may not follow the attacker until the ball has been kicked and moves.