The referee blows the whistle. The crowd goes quiet for a split second. You jog toward the corner flag, the ball tucked under your arm, every teammate waiting in the box. The score is level. One good swing of your foot could change everything.
This is the power of a soccer corner kick. In women’s soccer, it’s not just another restart—it’s a chance to write the next big moment. Mastering the art of a perfect soccer corner kick means turning pressure into opportunity, precision into celebration.
Ready to step up and own the soccer corner kick? Let’s break down how to take a perfect soccer kick.
Let’s get this ball curling.
Also Read on: Mastering the Art of Soccer Headers in Women’s Football.
The Magic of Soccer Corner Kicks
Close your eyes, lean back on that chair, and picture this: It’s the final minutes of an intense match, the score is tied, and your team just earned a soccer corner kick. Suddenly, all eyes are on you as you place the ball in that corner arc. This is your moment to shine.
But wait, before you raise those hands, what exactly is a soccer corner kick?
What Is a Corner Kick?
A corner kick is a set piece you’re awarded as the attacking team when the defending team kicks the ball out over their own goal line (but not in the goal, obviously). It’s a set piece that gives your team a fantastic scoring opportunity. It’s like getting a free shot at glory!
Sounds pretty straightforward.
Well, there’s a whole lot more to it than just booting the ball into a crowd.
Why Mastering Soccer Corner Kicks Matters in Women’s Football
Here’s why learning how to take the perfect soccer corner kick in women’s football is such a big deal.
- Corner kicks happen frequently during games
- They’re prime scoring opportunities (free chances to attack!)
- A well-taken corner can change the outcome of the entire match
- It’s a skill that can make you incredibly valuable to your team
- Even if you don’t score directly, corners can create chaos in the defense, leading to goals
So, are you ready to learn how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football and become your team’s secret weapon?
Understand The Basics of Soccer Corner Kicks
Before we dive into the soccer corner kicks technique, let’s make sure we understand exactly when and how corner kicks happen in a soccer game.
When to Take a Soccer Corner Kick
Below are situations when the referee awards a corner kick.
- The defending team kicks the ball out over their own goal line
- The ball crosses the goal line completely
- The ball doesn’t go into the goal
That’s when you get your chance to showcase your corner kick skills.
Know the Soccer Corner Kick Rules
Here are the basic rules you need to know about corner kicks.
- You must place the ball within or on the corner arc nearest to where the ball went out.
- The ball is in play once it’s kicked and clearly moves
- You can’t touch the ball again until another player touches it
- You can score directly from a corner kick (called an “olimpico” – how cool is that?)
- Defenders must stay at least 10 yards (9.15 meters) away from the corner arc.
Knowing these rules is the first step in understanding how to take the perfect soccer corner kick in women’s football.
Setting Up for a Successful Soccer Corner Kick
Now that you know when you’ll be taking that corner kick, let’s talk about how to set yourself up for a successful soccer corner kick.
Position Yourself Right
How you position yourself matters a lot when taking a corner kick. Here’s how to position yourself when taking a soccer corner kick.
- Place the ball securely within the corner arc (not on the line)
- Stand where you have enough space for your run-up
- Angle yourself based on the type of kick you want to deliver
- Make sure you’re comfortable and balanced
Think of it like getting ready for the perfect selfie. Position is everything!
Choose Your Target
Before you kick, know where you’re aiming.
- Look for teammates making runs into the box.
- Spot the “danger zones” (usually between the penalty spot and the 6-yard box)
- Identify who on your team is best at heading
- Consider the goalkeeper’s position
Having a target in mind before you kick is crucial when learning how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football.
Pick Your Foot
Which foot should you use to make a corner kick? It depends.
- For right corners, left-footed players often deliver inswingers, while right-footed players deliver outswingers.
- For left corners: Right-footed players often deliver inswingers, left-footed players deliver outswingers.
- Use your strongest foot for more accuracy
- Consider what works best for your team’s strategy
Choose wisely. Your foot selection changes everything about your corner kick.
Get the Ball Flying
Now it’s time to take the corner kick. Step up with confidence and strike the ball.
- Hit it clean with the part of your foot you chose
- Control your power—enough to reach the box, not so much that it flies over everyone.
- Follow through with your leg to guide the spin.
- Keep your eyes on the ball until it leaves your foot.
The Perfect Technique to Execute the Soccer Corner Kick
Alright, here’s your step-by-step guide on how to take the perfect soccer corner kick in women’s football.
Plant Your Foot
First things first—your plant foot is super important when taking a corner kick.
- Place your non-kicking foot alongside the ball
- Point your plant foot toward your target
- Keep your plant foot about 6-8 inches from the ball
- Make sure your foot is firmly planted for stability
Think of your plant foot as the foundation of a house; if it’s wobbly, everything else falls apart!
Swing Smoothly
Now for the actual kicking motion.
- Approach the ball at a slight angle
- Keep your head down and eyes on the ball
- Swing your kicking leg through smoothly (no jerky movements!)
- Strike the ball with the inside or instep of your foot
- Follow through in the direction you want the ball to go
Imagine you’re painting a smooth arc in the air with your foot – that’s the kind of fluid motion we’re going for!
Aim Precisely
Where exactly should you aim when taking a corner kick?
- For headed goals: Aim between the penalty spot and the 6-yard box
- For direct shots, aim toward the far post area
- For short corners: Aim precisely at your teammate’s feet
- For chaos: The “corridor of uncertainty” between the keeper and defenders
Precision matters when learning how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football.
Control the Power
Getting the right amount of power is tricky.
- Too soft: Defenders will clear it easily
- Too hard: The ball sails over everyone
- Just right: Enough pace to beat the first defender but still dippable for your teammates.
Think Goldilocks: Not too hard, not too soft, but just right!
Types of Soccer Corner Kicks You Should Know
Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s explore the different types of corner kicks you can add to your arsenal.
An Outswinger
The outswinger starts inside and curves away from the goal.
Here’s how to take an outswinger soccer corner kick.
- Strike the inside portion of the ball
- Connect with the inside of your foot
- Generate spin by wrapping your foot around the outside of the ball
- Follow through across your body
Outswingers are great because they bend away from the goalkeeper, making them easier for your teammates to attack.
An Inswinger
The inswinger corner kick starts wide and curves toward the goal.
Here’s how to take an inswinger corner kick.
- Strike the outside portion of the ball
- Connect with the outside or top of your foot
- Generate spin by wrapping your foot around the inside of the ball
- Follow through toward the goal
Inswingers are dangerous because they bend toward the goal, making them harder for goalkeepers to deal with!
Short Corner
Sometimes the unexpected option is best, the short corner kick.
Here’s how you take a short soccer corner kick.
- Signal to a nearby teammate that you’re going short
- Pass the ball quickly to them along the ground
- Move to receive a return pass
- Create a new angle of attack
Short corners can catch the defense off guard when they’re expecting a typical cross!
Mastering these variations is essential in learning how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football.
Improve Your Soccer Corner Kick Technique
Want to get really good at corner kicks? Here’s how to level up your technique.
Practice Your Accuracy
Accuracy is everything with corner kicks.
- Set up targets in the box (cones, mannequins, or brave teammates!)
- Practice hitting specific zones consistently
- Work on both inswingers and outswingers
- Focus on consistency before adding power
Think of it like target practice – hit the same spot repeatedly until it becomes automatic.
Build Your Strength
Power also matters when taking corners, especially in women’s football. Here’s how you build your strength for the soccer corner technique.
- Strengthen your core muscles
- Work on leg strength, especially your kicking leg
- Develop better balance and stability
- Improve your overall fitness
The stronger you are, the more options you have when taking corners!
Work on Timing
Timing during corner kicks is often overlooked but super important:
- Practice with actual teammates making runs
- Learn to time your delivery with their movements
- Work on consistent ball contact
- Practice different speeds of delivery
Perfect timing makes learning how to take the ideal corner kick in women’s football much easier!
Think Like a Coach When Taking Corner Kicks
Great corner kick takers aren’t just skilled – they’re smart too!
Read Your Teammates
Know who you’re working with.
- Who are your best headers?
- Who makes the best near-post runs?
- Who’s good at creating chaos?
- Where do your teammates prefer the ball?
The best corner kick specialists know their teammates’ strengths!
Watch Your Opponents
Study the defense before you kick:
- Is the goalkeeper good at claiming crosses?
- Are they using zonal or player-to-player marking?
- Where are the gaps in their defense?
- Are they placing players on the posts?
Knowing your opponents helps you target their weaknesses!
Decide Quickly
Don’t take forever to kick:
- Have a plan before you step up to the ball
- Be decisive in your approach
- Don’t telegraph your intentions
- Be ready to adjust if necessary
Quick decisions keep the defense guessing when you’re taking that perfect corner kick in women’s football!
Drills to Perfect Your Soccer Corner Kicks
These drills will help you master how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football.
Corner Kicks Drills for Beginners
Are you just beginning to learn how to take corner kicks? Try these easier corner kick drills.
- The Target Practice: Set up a target zone and practice hitting it consistently. Start close, then move to the actual corner.
- The Wall Pass: Practice short corners by passing against a wall, focusing on accuracy and the weight of the pass.
- The Curve Master: Practice curving the ball around an obstacle to develop your inswinger and outswinger technique.
- The Cone Zone: Set up cones in the box and practice hitting specific zones with your corners.
- The Power-Up: Gradually increase your kicking power while maintaining accuracy.
Remember, even simple drills help you build the foundation for great corner kicks!
Corner Kicks Drills for Advanced Players
Here are advanced soccer corner kick drills.
- The Moving Target: Have teammates make different runs while you deliver corners to match their movement.
- The Pressure Test: Practice taking corners with defenders actively trying to block or clear your delivery.
- The Quick Switch: Practice rapidly switching between different types of corners (inswinger, outswinger, driven, floated).
- The Game Situation: Simulate actual game situations with full defensive setups and limited time to deliver.
- The Olimpico Challenge: Practice scoring directly from corners – it’s hard but amazing when you pull it off!
These advanced corner kick drills will help you master the perfect corner kick in women’s football, just like the pros do.
Use Video Analysis
Technology should be your friend when learning how to perfect your corner kicks.
- Record your corner kick practice sessions
- Study professional women’s corner kicks on video
- Analyze what works and what doesn’t
- Track your improvement over time
Seeing yourself on video reveals things you’d never notice otherwise!
What to Avoid at All Costs When Taking Corner Kicks
Let’s talk about what NOT to do when taking corner kicks.
Don’t Overkick
One of the biggest mistakes when taking a soccer corner kick is trying too hard.
- Hitting the ball too hard so it flies over everyone
- Putting too much spin so it curves out of play
- Rushing your kick and mishitting the ball
- Trying fancy techniques before mastering the basics
Remember: a simple, well-placed corner is better than a fancy one that doesn’t work!
Avoid Poor Aim
Bad aim ruins good intentions.
- Hitting the first defender (the most common mistake!)
- Sending the ball straight to the goalkeeper
- Curving the ball out of play
- Not reaching the target area at all
When learning how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football, aim is everything!
Don’t Hesitate
Confidence matters during corner kicks.
- Taking too long to decide what to do
- Second-guessing yourself at the last moment
- Looking nervous (which tells defenders you’re uncertain)
- Changing your mind mid-kick
Be decisive and commit to your kick – hesitation leads to mistakes!
Tips for Becoming the Corner Kick Queen
Let’s wrap this up with some golden advice on how to take the perfect soccer corner kick in women’s football.
Stay Confident
Confidence is your secret weapon when taking a soccer corner kick.
- Trust your training
- Visualize successful corners before taking them
- Don’t let one bad corner affect the next one
- Believe in your ability to deliver
Remember, even the pros miss sometimes – it’s how you bounce back that matters.
Keep Practicing
There’s no substitute for practice.
- Set aside a specific time just for corner kicks
- Practice in different weather conditions
- Try corners when you’re tired (like end-of-game situations)
- Get feedback from coaches and teammates
The more you practice, the more natural taking the perfect corner kick in women’s football will feel.
Adjust to Game Situations
Be adaptable.
- Consider the wind and weather conditions.
- Factor in the state of the game (winning, losing, tied)
- Adjust to different field surfaces
- Have different strategies for different opponents
The best corner takers aren’t just skilled; they’re also smart and adaptable.
Final Whistle
And there you have it – everything you need to know about how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football. From the basics to advanced techniques, you now have all the tools to become your team’s corner kick specialist.
Corner kicks aren’t just about getting the ball into the box; they’re about creating scoring opportunities, putting pressure on the defense, and sometimes even scoring directly! They’re a chance to showcase your skill, creativity, and football IQ.
I used to dread taking corners, thinking they needed some magical technique that only the pros knew. But they don’t – they need practice, understanding, and confidence. Don’t be like I was – embrace your corner kicks!
Next time you step up to that corner arc and all eyes turn to you, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, remember what you’ve learned about how to take the perfect corner kick in women’s football, and deliver that game-changing cross. Plant your foot, choose your target, swing smoothly, and let it fly!
