Question Number: 25244

Law 17 - Corner Kick 7/21/2011

RE: Travel Under 15

Jaewan Kim of Yardley, PA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25227

As was pointed out in one of the panel's answers, arguing over 2 inches is trifling. However, the law needs to be interpreted consistently. Even one of the esteemed panelist answered that the ball 'must touch' the line to be inside. So there seems to be different interpretation of 'inside' even in this panel.
Of course if the ball is inside the arc, but not touching the lines or the arc, it is legally placed.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Touching the line includes, as was noted, the edge of the ball which not on the ground breaking the plane of the line which is the outside edge of the corner arc. This is correct.

This is not like tennis where some part of the ball that hits the ground must touch some part of the line drawn on the court.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Coach: The USSF provides a clear interpretation in the Advice To Referees, and includes illustrations: 'The requirement that the ball be placed within the corner arc is satisfied if the ball breaks the plane of the corner arc or of the lines which enclose the corner arc. In practice, this means that a ball properly placed for a corner kick could extend beyond the area of the corner arc, including beyond the field itself.'

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi coach. This ruling is consistent with rulings about every other boundary line. For example, if the keeper has the ball in her hands and carries over the 18 yard boundary line, the ball is considered to be inside' the penalty area as long as any part of the ball is over any part of the line. Same with balls crossing the goal or touch lines in the air, the ball does not go out of play unless all the ball crosses all the line so as long as any part of the ball is over any part of the line it is inside whatever that line is a border of, in your case the corner arc

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jaewan
Law 17 states that the ball must be placed inside the corner arc nearest to the point where the ball crossed the goal line. The point I make is the difference touching the line and breaking the plane is two inches and no referee is going to see that as anything other than trifling. We can all get consumed by esoteric debates yet in active play no one should be getting fused over two inches particularly when it look identical