Eckball

Eckball, in football terminology, is the restart awarded to the attacking team when the ball crosses the goal line after last being touched by a defender and does not enter the goal. In German-speaking contexts the term Eckball is used for what English speakers call a corner kick. It is a standard set piece used to resume play near a corner flag.

From the corner arc, the ball is placed for the kick. The attacking player must kick the ball into play, and opponents must stay at least 9.15 meters away from the ball until it is in play. The ball is considered in play once it is kicked and clearly moves. A goal may be scored directly from a corner, and the ball remains in play until it leaves the field of play or the referee stops play for a foul or other infringement.

Tactics and variations are common in Eckball situations. Teams may deliver a high cross to target forwards at the far post, or execute short corners to create overloads and quick passing combinations. Set-piece strategies often involve players making runs to create space or creating crossing angles; defenders use marking schemes and positional discipline to anticipate the delivery and clear the ball.

Rule variations and enforcement follow the Laws of the Game. Infringements such as encroachment, offside positioning, or kicking the ball without it moving may lead to retakes or disciplinary action. The Eckball remains one of the primary tools for breaking compact defenses and creating goal-scoring chances.