When is the ball considered to be in play during a corner kick?

The ball is considered to be in play during a corner kick when it is kicked and moves. This aligns with the Laws of the Game, which state that the ball is in play as soon as it has been properly kicked and moves. This means that the act of kicking the ball initiates the play, and it must travel a short distance for the kick to be valid.

Choosing when the ball leaves the corner arc or when the referee blows the whistle does not accurately reflect the moment play begins. While the referee blowing the whistle signals the start of the kick, it is the action of the ball being kicked that officially puts it in play. Similarly, the ball entering the goal area does not influence its status of being in play; it must first be kicked to be valid for play.