hjørnespark

A hjørnespark, or corner kick, is a method of restarting play in the sport of association football. It is awarded when the entire ball passes over the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, having last been touched by a player of the defending team, and a goal is not scored.

The ball is placed within the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out of play. The attacking player then kicks the ball, which must move before it can be played again. Opposing players must remain at least 9.15 meters (10 yards) from the corner arc until the ball is in play.

The primary objective of a hjørnespark is to create a scoring opportunity. Attackers often aim to deliver the ball into the penalty area for teammates to head or volley towards the goal. Defending teams typically position players to block shots, mark attackers, and clear the ball away from their own goal.

Hjørnesparker can be direct or indirect. A direct corner kick means a goal can be scored directly from the kick. An indirect corner kick requires the ball to touch another player before entering the goal. While less common, indirect corners are sometimes used for elaborate set-piece plays. The strategic execution of hjørnesparker is an important aspect of tactical football.