Question Number: 23585

Law 17 - Corner Kick 6/29/2010

RE: Welsh league Adult

Adam bishop of Newport, Wales asks...

When defending a corner kick why don't they put defenders on the post is it tactical or is it due to rules?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Adam
This is a tactical decision and it has nothing to do with the Laws of the Game. The team could put all eleven players on the goal line at a corner kick if it so wished. The Law only requires that the defending players are 10 yards from the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The only restriction of opponents at a corner kick is that they must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is in play - the same as any other kick restart. Since the goal is more than 10 yards from the corner, all 11 of them could congregate around the goalmouth if they wished.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Many times there are defenders at the posts. They will be there as the ball is kicked and move out at the first touch by an opponent to set up a possible offside trap. Too many defenders can be an issue, because if the ball gets caught up in all those folks, it can make its way into the goal in the confusion. Some teams place most defenders out at the top of the goal area to create some space for the keeper to work - unless there are opponents standing there.

As long as the defenders are 10 yards away from the corner arc, they can be just about anywhere they want to be. So, they go where they can best defend against whatever formation their opponent has arranged.