A corner kick is a kick awarded to the team for their opportunity to shoot at goal in soccer . It happens when the ball has come off a player at his or her own goal . A corner kick is awarded to the attacking team when the ball leaves the field of play by crossing the goal line ( either on the ground or in the air ) without a goal having been scored ( a goal occurs when the ball completely crosses the goal line underneath the crossbar and in between the goal posts ) , having been last touched by a defending player ( including the goalkeeper ) .