Question Number: 16015

Law 17 - Corner Kick 7/13/2007

RE: youth rec league Under 15

marc shelton of edgemoor, sc usa asks...

how far does the defenders have to stand back on a corner kick? also on the start of the game whether it is the beginning or after a score when tapping the ball does it have to be touch by 2 players one tapping and the other kicking it/ or can the one plyer kick it forward or even pass it back to another player ?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

All opponents must be at least 10 yards away from the ball on a corner kick, just like any other kicking restart.

On a kickoff, the ball must be kicked so that it moves forward. The initial forward kick can be long or short, straight forward or sideways forward, whatever the kicker wants to do with it. Once that happens, the only restriction is that the player who took the kickoff cannot touch the ball again until it touches another player.

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

All restarts require the opponents to retire at least 10 yards from the ball, with the exception of the thrown in, which requires a 2 yard distance.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

10 yds from the corner arc. On a kick off the ball is in play when its kicked and moves forward. Thus if the first player does not move the ball with a kicking motion, then the referee should order a retake.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The stupid player trick of tapping the ball as a substitute to kicking and moving it from here to there is a matter of debate amongst referees all over. In this country we are told, in Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, paragraph 13.5:

When the restart of play is based on the ball being kicked and moved, the referee must ensure that the ball is indeed kicked (touched with the foot in a kicking motion) and moved (caused to go from one place to another). Being "kicked" does not include an action in which the ball is dragged by continuous contact with the foot. Being "moved" does not include the ball simply quivering, trembling, or shaking as a result of light contact. The referee must make the final decision on what is and is not "kicked and moved" based on the spirit and flow of the match. In all events, the ball must put into play properly.

It is obvious a great number of referees have not read this paragraph as I constantly see stomping on the ball as a substitute for being kicked and moved. Once the referee has made this effort kicked and moved then opponents are free to challenge for the ball.

Regards,