Law 17 – The Corner Kick

A corner kick is awarded when the whole of the ball passes over the end line on the floor or in the air, having last touched a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.

A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick, but only against the opposing team; if the ball directly enters the kicker’s goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents.

1. Procedure

• The ball must be placed in the corner area nearest to the point where the ball passed over the end line.
• The ball must be stationary and is kicked by a player of the attacking team.
• The ball must be put into play within four seconds of the team being ready to put the ball into play or the referee signalling that the team is ready to put it into play.
• The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not need to leave the corner area.
• At the moment when the ball is put into play, only the kicker may be off the pitch (except as otherwise provided for in the Futsal Laws of the Game – see the section on authorised departure from the pitch within the Interpretation and Recommendations part of the Practical Guidelines for Futsal Referees and Other Match Officials).
• Opponents must remain at least 5m from the corner arc until the ball is in play.

2. Offences and sanctions

If, after the ball is in play, the kicker touches the ball again before it has touched another player, an indirect free kick is awarded; if the kicker commits a handball offence:

• a direct free kick is awarded;
• a penalty kick is awarded if the offence occurred inside the kicker’s penalty area, unless the kicker was the goalkeeper, in which case an indirect free kick is awarded.

If a player, while correctly taking a corner kick, deliberately kicks the ball at an opponent in order to play the ball again but not in a careless or reckless manner or using excessive force, the referees allow play to continue.

If a team-mate of the kicker is off the pitch when the corner kick is taken, a goal clearance is awarded to the opposing team. If this was an attempt to deceive an opponent or take up an advantageous position, the offending player is cautioned.

For any other offence, including if a corner kick is not taken within four seconds or from the corner area, a goal clearance is awarded to the opposing team.