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A corner kick is a method of restarting play in soccer. When a defending team player causes the whole of the soccer ball to leave the field of play by crossing it over the entire width of the goal line, either on the ground or in the air, without a goal being scored, the attacking team is awarded a corner kick to restart the play. Each corner of the field is a marked specifically for corner kicks to be taken place and is referred to as corner arcs.
The attacking team will restart the play by placing the soccer ball in the corner arc nearest to where it crossed the goal line. For instance, a corner kick will be taken from the right corner arc if the ball crosses the goal line on the right of the goal post. If the ball crosses the goal line on the left of the goal post, the corner kick will be taken from the left corner arc. Opponents are to remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the corner arc until the ball is in play. Once the ball has been placed in the designated arc and kicked, it will be considered in play. However, the ball does not need to leave the corner arc to be in play. If the kicker touches the ball a second time before being touched by another player, including if the ball rebounds from a goal post, an indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team in the position where the second touch occurred.
Generally, a corner kick provides a noteworthy opportunity for the attacking team to score. The placement of the ball for and the time left in the game at which a corner kick is taken can be a serious threat for the opposing team. Any player on the field can gain possession of the ball once it has been kicked, so quality service along with coordination and precise timing is crucial for a corner kick to be successful. The other team should not be able to interpret how the ball will be played because the success of corner kicks will rely greatly on a team’s ability to provide an intuitive line of attack. For this reason, corner kick strategy will vary greatly from team to team and preparation for tactical plays should not be a neglected.
It is important to understand that a corner kick can be a dynamic change in event, so soccer players will need to be able to problem solve. Defenses will not always line up or react the same, requiring players to be attentive and readily able to make modifications with quick feet and body control. The team taking the corner should be able to search for a defenses weakness and exploit it in real time because the ultimate goal here is for the attacking team to control their corner kick play in a way that forces the defense to be caught off guard. Once a team is able to get the opposing team frantically defending on their toes, it's all just a matter of time until a breakthrough happens.
The player that takes on the job of the corner kick needs to be able to deliver accurate passes through the air and, ideally, be able to put it wherever they want. With that in mind, the kicker’s job is to play a pass that does a few things. Firstly, the pass should cause the goalkeeper to hesitate. It should be aimed at a place where the goalie can’t decide whether he should try to catch the ball or stay on the goal line. Secondly, a corner should be put where nobody else can get to it but the target. For example, The kicker may choose to send the ball directly into the box where most players are positioned or the kicker may choose to take a short corner to a player within the 10 yards who is better positioned to deliver the ball into the penalty area. Players in the penalty area will work to push and shove their opponents in a bid to gain possession of the ball once it lands in the area. The attacking team will have the chance to keep threatening the opponent’s goal by retaining possession. On the other hand, the defending team may gain possession and mount a counter-attack immediately before the opponents get a chance to settle back into their positions. Both teams will try to manage the number of players in the area in order to be better placed for all outcomes. In sum, all team players should be trained to take on as well as defend corner kicks to prevent easy clearances and frustration.
In conclusion, having unfamiliar lines of attack are the best way for soccer teams to up the ante. Blindsiding the opposing team by changing up strategies with short and long crosses, mixed with delayed runs is crucial. There’s no set rule for a corner, so be creative and confuse that defense! If a team is truly committed towards positive results on a corner, they will not take the inventive opportunity lightly. Remember, the difference between winning and losing in soccer is often a set play. Do not be the team at an unnecessary disadvantage by simply overlooking how your team restarts!
The best soccer players in the world are masters of speed and control. Both attributes are directly related to power and strength and are essential for soccer players who wish to create scoring opportunities with corner kicks. The key for soccer players is to work on expanding upon the strength and power possessed in the hip flexors and, to a lesser extent, the knee extensors (quadriceps muscles). The hip flexors include a series of muscles surrounding the pelvic bones, running from the lower back, through the thighs and down to the knees. As the name indicates, the muscles provide hip flexion and are also involved in other hip, knee and spine movements. Hip flexion is involved in all soccer kicks, so strengthening the flexors increases a player’s potential shooting power. It takes muscular endurance and explosiveness to have real soccer kicking strength.
Training with Myosource Kinetic Bands challenges and develops greater lower body strength to improve soccer players kicking power, velocity distance and other measures of performance.Soccer players can utilize the Myosource Kinetic Bands during practice, drills and plyometric exercises to target and build the specific muscles soccer players require to attack the soccer ball quickly and forcefully. While working to improve soccer specific skills, soccer players will be maximizing practice time as the Myosource Kinetic Bands place resistance on every movement made. The athletic skills soccer players need to possess for success, such as increased muscle strength and endurance will be gained more quickly, efficiently and with less risk of injury with resistance training. Improving these areas will give soccer players access to quicker mental and muscle reactions for executing the most appropriate plays to deceive an unsuspecting defense without the need for discussion.
