<P> A corner kick is the method of restarting play in a game of association football when the ball goes out of play over the goal line, without a goal being scored, and having last been touched by a member of the defending team . The kick is taken from the corner of the field of play nearest to where it went out . Corners are considered to be a reasonable goal scoring opportunity for the attacking side, though not as much as a penalty kick or a direct free kick near the edge of the penalty area . </P> <P> A corner kick is also awarded instead of an own goal if a team places the ball directly into its own goal from certain restarts (e.g., throw - in, free kick, etc .), though this is rare . </P> <P> Under the original 1863 rules of the Football Association, a ball kicked behind the goal - line was treated similarly to present - day rugby: if an attacking player touched the ball down first, the attacking team was awarded a free - kick at goal (similar to a conversion in rugby), while if a defending player touched the ball down first, the defending team was awarded a goal - kick . These rules were subsequently simplified, so that by 1867 a goal - kick was awarded in all circumstances, regardless of which team touched the ball . </P> <P> During this period, clubs around Sheffield played their own distinctive code of football . The laws promulgated in early March 1867 by the newly - formed Sheffield Football Association contained a similar rule: a goal - kick was awarded whenever the ball went behind the goal - line, regardless of which team touched the ball . </P>

When do you take a corner kick in soccer