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Set Pieces

Football Set Pieces Explained: Throw-ins, Corners, Penalties & More

The rules for every restart in football — including the edge cases that even experienced fans argue about.

What is a set piece?

A set piece is any restart of play after the ball has gone out of play or a foul has been committed — throw-ins, corner kicks, goal kicks, free kicks, and penalty kicks. Each restart has specific rules about where the ball is placed, who can take it, and when play resumes.

Throw-In Rules

A throw-in is awarded when the ball crosses the touchline (the long sides of the pitch) in full. The throw is taken by the team that did not touch the ball last before it went out.

Throw-in requirements

  • Both feet must remain on or behind the touchline at the moment of delivery
  • The ball must be thrown with both hands from behind and over the head
  • The thrower must face the field of play
  • The ball must be thrown from the point where it crossed the line
  • Opponents must stand at least 2 metres from the thrower

Can You Score Directly From a Throw-In?

No — a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. If the ball is thrown directly into the opponent's goal, a goal kick is awarded to the opposing team. If it enters the thrower's own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opponents. The ball must touch at least one other player before entering either goal.

Edge Case This means a defender cannot accidentally score an own goal from a throw-in. The referee will stop play and award a corner kick instead.

Can the Goalkeeper Pick Up a Throw-in From a Teammate?

Yes. The goalkeeper can pick up (handle) a throw-in played to them by a teammate. The restriction that prevents goalkeepers from handling back-passes applies only to deliberate kicks — not throw-ins, headers, or chest-downs from teammates. This is a frequently misunderstood distinction.

Corner Kick Rules

A corner kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line (the short sides of the pitch, excluding the goal itself) and was last touched by a defending player. The attacking team restarts from the nearest corner arc.

Corner kick requirements

  • The ball is placed inside the corner arc (1-metre radius quarter-circle)
  • The corner flag post must not be removed
  • Opponents must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball until it is in play
  • The kicker cannot touch the ball again until another player has touched it
  • A goal may be scored directly from a corner kick

Can You Score Directly From a Corner?

Yes — a goal scored directly from a corner kick counts. This is called an "olimpico" goal (named after Cesáreo Onzari, who first scored one in 1924). If the ball swings directly into the net from the corner flag without any other player touching it, the goal stands.

However, if the ball enters the kicker's own goal directly, the attacking team is instead awarded a corner kick from the other end. A corner cannot result in an own goal directly.

Offside & Corner Kicks You cannot be offside directly from a corner kick. A player can stand in any position — including ahead of the last defender — to receive the ball from a corner without being penalised for offside.

Goal Kick Rules

A goal kick is awarded when the ball crosses the goal line last touched by an attacking player. The defending team restarts from anywhere inside their own goal area.

Since the 2019 rule change, players no longer need to wait for the ball to leave the penalty area before touching it — teammates can receive a goal kick inside the penalty area. Opponents must remain outside the penalty area until the ball is in play (once it is clearly kicked and moves).

Can a goalkeeper score from a goal kick? Yes, a goal can be scored directly from a goal kick. If the ball travels the full length of the pitch and enters the opponent's goal without being touched, it counts. It is rare, but it has happened.

Penalty Kick Rules

A penalty kick is awarded when a player commits a direct free kick offence inside their own penalty area. The kick is taken from the penalty spot, 11 metres from the goal.

Penalty kick procedure

  • Only the designated kicker and the goalkeeper are inside or on the edge of the penalty area
  • The goalkeeper must stay on their goal line (between the posts) until the ball is kicked
  • All other players must be outside the penalty area and the arc, and behind the penalty spot
  • The kicker must move forward — they cannot feint to confuse the goalkeeper after beginning their run-up
  • If the ball rebounds from the post or crossbar, the kicker cannot touch it again before another player does

Penalty Shootouts vs In-Match Penalties

An in-match penalty is a direct attempt on goal — if the ball rebounds, play continues. A penalty shootout (used to decide knockout matches after a draw) operates under different rules: the kick is over once the ball stops moving, is saved, or goes out of play. In a shootout, no follow-up is allowed.

Free Kick Rules

Free kicks come in two types: direct and indirect.

A direct free kick can be scored directly — the ball can go straight into the goal without touching another player. Direct free kicks are awarded for physical fouls (kicking, tripping, pushing, striking, handball).

An indirect free kick must touch at least one other player before entering the goal. The referee signals an indirect free kick by holding one arm raised until the second player touches the ball. Indirect free kicks are awarded for technical infringements — offside, dangerous play, impeding an opponent without contact, or goalkeeper infractions.

Restart Goal directly? Offside applies? GK can handle?
Throw-in No No Yes
Corner kick Yes No Yes
Goal kick Yes No* Yes
Direct free kick Yes Yes No (from teammate)
Indirect free kick No Yes No (from teammate)
Penalty kick Yes N/A Yes (as defender)

* Offside cannot be called directly from a goal kick, but applies once the ball has been touched by another player.

Test Your Set Piece Knowledge

Our interactive app walks you through throw-in, corner kick, and penalty scenarios — what's the correct restart?

Try the Interactive App Back to All Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a player takes a throw-in incorrectly?
The referee awards a throw-in to the opposing team. Common violations include lifting a foot off the ground, not using both hands, or not throwing from behind and over the head. Referees often give a warning on the first offence before awarding possession to the opposition.
Can a player score from a free kick inside their own half?
Yes. A direct free kick from any position on the pitch can technically score a goal if the ball travels the full length into the opponent's net. It is extremely rare but not against the rules. An indirect free kick from the same position would require another player to touch it first.
Can the goalkeeper score from a throw?
No. A goal cannot be scored directly from a goalkeeper's throw. If the ball is thrown and enters the opponent's goal without touching another player, a goal kick is awarded. The ball must touch at least one other player before a goalkeeper throw can result in a goal.
What if the penalty taker's run-up is interrupted?
A player is allowed to feint during the run-up to the ball — this is permitted to deceive the goalkeeper. However, once the kicker has completed their run-up and begins the kicking motion, they cannot stop or feint. If they do, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the defending team for the infringement.
How far must defenders stand from a free kick?
Defending players must be at least 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the ball for any free kick. For a free kick inside the attacking team's own half, the ball can be played quickly without waiting for opponents to retreat — provided the referee has not required the kick to wait. For free kicks near the penalty area, the referee typically manages the wall before allowing play to restart.