Question Number: 27269

Law 17 - Corner Kick 3/25/2013

RE: Competive Under 15

Rob of Jacksonville, Fl Duball asks...

I had a situation recently involving the so-called 'trick corner kick.' I was the AR when a corner kick occured. The attcker placed the ball outside the corner arc which I found unusual. I probably should have said something then but did not. He backs up to take the kick, then walks away to let another player take the kick. The second player walks up, kickes the ball, and I raise my flag (ball was never kicked and moved from the correct spot). Referee awarded indirect kick to opposing team. I believe the correct restart is a retake of the kick. Your opinions?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
I'm not sure this is a trick corner kick or at least I don't see the deception or benefit here other than the gaining of a few inches in the placement of the ball. You do not mention if there were any verbals used or a double touch infringement by the 2nd kicker? We know that there is nothing wrong with a change of kicker provided it is not done to delay the restart.
As regards the second kicker taking the kick perhaps he thought that the ball was positioned correctly for the kick to be taken and as it was not questioned then he went ahead and kicked the ball?
I would say that there are a number of points here
1. The AR should ensure that the ball is positioned inside the arc properly and the kick should not be allowed to proceed until that happens. In this case that should have been done for the 1st kicker as he backed up to take the kick.
2. As the kick was not taken in accordance with Law 17 the kick should have been retaken
3. I suspect that as there was a flag the CR could have assumed that there must have been some infringement of Law 17 such as a double touch which is why he went with the IDFK.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

May have been poor communication between you and the Referee. If you believed the correct restart was a retake of the corner, You should have gotten his attention and told him what you saw.