Question Number: 16232

League Specific 8/6/2007

RE: Youth Recreation Other

rick wilson of Santa Maria, CA USA asks...

Can teams substitute on corner kicks?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

According to the Laws of the Game, yes. A substitution can be made at any stoppage, provided the referee is informed at the time of the stoppage.

However many leagues have unlimited subs, which games played strictly under the FIFA Laws do not. In exchange for the extra subs, the league specifies that only certain stoppages will be substitution opportunities. Corner kicks often are NOT one of the opportunities.

US Youth Soccer has recently recommended that all stoppages be substitution opportunities, just as they are in the Laws. Look for this rule change to happen in many leagues.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Depends. If it is youth recreational, probably not, depending on the local changes/accommodations in the substitution rules by the state youth association because of the unlimited substitution allowed for youth. However, if they are going strictly by the Laws of the Game, then yes, definitely, as Referee Voshol noted above. But, a cautionary note: if a player isn't up and ready to sub in at the time of the stoppage, a referee is not to hold up the restart while the coach sorts out who is going to sub in (unless there is an injury, of course).

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

In international matches, substitutions can occur at any stoppage and thus on a corner kick. Youth leagues tend to modify the substituting opportunities since they allow unlimited substitution. I have seen it both ways on corner kicks so you will have to check the league policy for the league you are refereeing for.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The Laws of the Game allow for a substitution at any stoppage of play provided the team still has some. In youth soccer in this country where almost every locale has unlimited subs, most area do not allow substitutions at a corner kick. Presently most areas allow subs at a goal kick, own throw in, after a score, after an injury, after the half, and after a caution. This is changing and some states have already switched to allowing subs at any stoppage of play.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

According to the laws of the game, law 3 indicates that a substitution may be made any stoppage in play. A corner kick is a stoppage in play so the answer to your question is yes.

However there is one caveat, often certain leagues will specify their own substitution exceptions. Many times those provisions exclude corner kicks as a time that substitutions may be made.

Check with your local league rules to find out the answer.