Soccer guide
Throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks explained
When the ball goes out of bounds in soccer, the restart depends on where it left the field and who touched it last. A sideline means a throw-in, and a goal line means a goal kick or corner kick. This guide shows how to tell them apart.
Why restarts matter
Soccer has no timeouts, so a lot of the game is decided in the moments after the ball leaves play. Knowing which restart applies, and who gets it, helps parents follow the game and helps players take it quickly and correctly. The three that confuse new families most are the throw-in, the goal kick and the corner kick. The rule that decides which one you see is simple: look at where the ball went out and who touched it last.
Quick comparison table
| Restart | Ball leaves play... | Who gets it | Taken with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throw-in | Over a sideline (touchline) | The team that did not touch it last | Hands, from the sideline |
| Goal kick | Over the goal line, last touched by the attackers | The defending team | Foot, from inside the goal area |
| Corner kick | Over the goal line, last touched by the defenders | The attacking team | Foot, from the corner |
The throw-in
When the whole ball crosses a sideline, either on the ground or in the air, play stops and the other team throws it in. In standard rules a player must:
- Face the field.
- Have part of each foot on the sideline or on the ground outside it.
- Hold the ball with both hands and throw it from behind and over the head.
- Release the ball at the point where it went out.
A throw that is done wrong, such as one hand, feet lifting off the ground or the ball thrown from the side of the body, is a foul throw, and the other team gets the ball instead. Younger leagues are often generous and let a child retake the throw once with a reminder. You cannot score directly from a throw-in, and in standard rules the thrower cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it.
The goal kick
If the attacking team last touches the ball before it crosses the goal line outside the goal, the defending team restarts with a goal kick. The ball is placed in the goal area (the small box in front of the goal) and kicked back into play. In standard rules the ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves, and opponents must stay outside the penalty area until then. Many youth leagues change how far opponents must stand back, so check with your league.
A goal kick is a chance to start an attack, not just a clearance. Players who can pass a goal kick to a teammate who is open are ahead of those who only boot it as far as they can. See goalkeeper basics for beginners for more on distribution.
The corner kick
If the defending team last touches the ball before it crosses its own goal line outside the goal, the attacking team gets a corner kick. The ball is placed in the corner arc nearest to where it went out and kicked into the field, often toward the goal. A goal can be scored directly from a corner kick in standard rules. Opponents must stand a set distance from the ball until it is kicked, which varies by league.
Corner kicks are a big moment in a game because they create real scoring chances. Parents can help by cheering for good tries rather than shouting at a child whose first corner kick does not reach the box. Kicks that fly out of play are normal when learning.
A few other restarts to know
- Kick-off
- The restart at the start of each half and after a goal. The ball is placed at the center spot and played forward or in any direction in standard rules, with the other team staying outside the center circle.
- Dropped ball
- A restart used when the referee stops play for a reason that is not a foul, such as an injury. The ball is dropped to one team in standard rules, and local practice may vary.
- Free kick
- A restart after a foul. See fouls and cards explained for how direct and indirect free kicks differ.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up corner and goal kicks. The question to ask is who touched the ball last.
- Throwing with one hand or lifting a foot, which leads to a foul throw.
- Waiting too long to restart. A quick throw to a teammate with space often beats the defense before it is set.
- Arguing the restart direction with the referee. Teach players to assume the referee is right and take the restart quickly.
Easy ways to practice at home
Throw-ins can be practiced with any ball in a yard. Stand behind a line, both hands on the ball, and throw to a partner. Focus on both feet touching the ground and a smooth, two-handed motion. For corner kicks and goal kicks, practice placing the ball and striking with the laces. More simple ideas are in soccer drills to practice at home. Keep the practice short and fun rather than perfect.
What to say from the sideline
When a restart happens, the most helpful thing a parent can do is stay positive and quiet enough for the players to hear their coach. Children taking their first throw-in or corner kick are often nervous, because everyone watches. A cheer such as "good try" after a throw that goes wrong is worth far more than advice shouted across the field. Players also need to hear teammates calling for the ball, so loud instructions from the sideline can get in the way.
It can help to learn one thing at a time. At the next game, try to spot only the restart type each time the ball goes out and say it quietly to yourself: sideline, throw-in; goal line and attackers touched it last, goal kick; goal line and defenders touched it last, corner kick. After a couple of games it becomes automatic. If a call surprises you, remember that the referee has the final say, and that youth referees are often still learning. For a wider look at how the game flows, see the handball rule explained, since handling the ball is a common reason for free kicks around these same moments.
Coaches can also make restarts a part of practice. A few minutes of throw-ins in pairs at the start of a session helps every player learn the correct form, and it gives children who are not yet confident with their feet a chance to be useful to the team.
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Sources and further reading
- Law 15 - The Throw-in The IFAB
- Law 16 - The Goal Kick The IFAB
- Law 17 - The Corner Kick The IFAB
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it is a goal kick or a corner kick?
Look at who touched the ball last before it crossed the goal line. If the attackers did, it is a goal kick; if the defenders did, it is a corner kick.
Can you score directly from a throw-in?
No. In standard rules a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
Can you score directly from a corner kick?
Yes. In standard rules a goal can be scored directly from a corner kick.
What happens if a throw-in is done wrong?
It is a foul throw and the other team gets the ball. Younger leagues often allow a retry with a reminder.
Do youth leagues use the same restart rules?
Often with changes. Distance rules and details vary by league, so check with yours.