The quick answer
In the usual last-touch example, the whole ball crosses the goal line, no goal is scored and a defender touched it last: the attacking team gets a corner. If an attacker touched it last, the restart is a goal kick instead. Crossing the touchline leads to a throw-in. The current Laws also award corners for a goalkeeper controlling the ball with hands or arms for more than eight seconds and for a player delaying their team’s goal kick; these clips show the usual last-touch cases.
See what changes
Choose a situation. Pause or freeze the key moment, and change the view.
- Team taking the kick
- Other team
- Goalkeeper
- Striped area: keep out until the ball is in play
Corner kick
Paused
Corner kick
A defender blocks a shot. The whole ball then crosses the goal line outside the goal, with no further touch and no separate offence.
In this example
Corner kick to the attacking team
The defender had the last touch. An accidental touch or goalkeeper save counts too. The nearest corner area is used.
Goal kick instead
An attacker shoots wide. Nobody else touches it before the whole ball crosses the goal line outside the goal.
In this example
Goal kick to the defending team
The last touch came from the attackers. The stationary restart is taken from anywhere in the defending team’s goal area.
Taking the corner
The ball is stationary in the nearest corner area. Opponents wait at least 9.15 m (10 yards) from the corner arc. The kicker delivers the ball to a teammate.
In this example
In play when kicked and clearly moving
The ball need not leave the corner area. There is no offside offence on receiving directly from the corner; normal offside rules can apply after a teammate’s next touch. A corner can score directly into the opposing goal, although this clip shows a teammate’s header.
Common misunderstandings
- “On the line means out.” The whole ball must be beyond the whole line, on the ground or in the air.
- “The defender did not mean it.” Intent does not change the last-touch restart illustrated here. A separate foul may require a different decision.
- “Ten yards from the ball.” For a corner the required distance is measured from the corner arc, not the ball.
- “There is no offside for the whole play.” The exception concerns receiving directly from the corner. A subsequent teammate touch changes the offside assessment.
- “The ball has to leave the arc.” It is live when kicked and clearly moving; short corners are allowed.
What happens next?
Keep the corner flagpost in place. Part of the stationary ball may overhang the corner boundary; it need not be wholly inside. The kicker cannot touch it again until another player does: a second touch normally gives an indirect free kick, with handball treated separately. A direct goal is possible only against the opponents; directly entering the kicker’s own goal gives the opponents a corner.
What signal might you see?
The referee indicates the corner, and the assistant referee may point the flag toward it. A decision on the last touch is needed only once the ball is out; watch the ball and the line rather than assuming every deflection has crossed it.
Check your competition
The distances shown use the full-size Laws. Smaller youth competitions may adapt distances and restrict heading; check their written rules. The header is an illustration, not advice for children to practise heading. Players and ball are enlarged for visibility. These examples assume no other offence or special restart rule applies.
Make the call
One question. No score or account needed.
A defender gets the last touch before the whole ball goes over the goal line outside the goal. What is the usual restart?
Sources and review
Rules edition: 2026/27 · Sources checked:
- IFAB Law 17 — Corner-kick award and procedure
- IFAB Law 16 — Goal kicks
- IFAB Law 11 — Direct-receipt offside exceptions
Prepared with AI assistance; checked against the linked rules. Simplified illustrations are teaching examples. AI transparency
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