Football, or soccer as it is known in the crazy world of the Americas, involves many different types of restarts when the ball is considered out of play. Restarting the ball with a corner kick occurs when the ball leaves the field of play past the goal line (not in the goal), having touched a member of the defensive team last.

At each of the four corners of the pitch, there is an arc in which the ball must be placed, before being kicked into play. Defenders of the corner must stand at least ten yards from the ball, but can move freely at a further distance as well as close to the ball as possible once the kick is taken.

Traditionally, the attacking team will send their biggest players into the opposition penalty area and the corner-taker will cross the ball with the hope of a head or shot at goal. For this technique to be effective, the corner-taker will be required to deliver a good cross with power, accuracy and often swerve.

To be a great corner-kick taker, ensure you approach the ball with boots full of confidence. Picture yourself delivering the perfect ball to your team mate, then go ahead and do it for real. Self-doubt will negatively affect your corner kicking performance - a negative impact for your personal and team performance.

A good corner kick will be played to a member of your own team to either score, shoot on target or deliver a key pass to another team mate. There are many great ways to take a corner, including in-swinging, out-swinging, short and low crosses. Rehearse your corners in training and ensure your team mates know what you are going to for maximum impact.

One of the best corner-kick takers in the game is England international David Beckham. Beckham uses plenty of curl on the ball to mislead the defense into misjudging the ball, therefore allowing players from his own team to make a powerful contact and improving their chance of making a goal-strike.

Players can score directly from a corner, although this is often difficult with many players in the penalty area at the time. Also, the goalkeeper will usually stand on the goal-line so to bend the ball up and over them is a difficult achievement. One of the most famous goals from a corner came in an England international against Macedonia when Artim Sakiri curled a left-footed corner over the head of David Seaman.

Scoring from corners is obviously good, but the corner kick is generally used to provide an assist to one of your team mates to score. Teams will regularly train for corners kicks and rehearse various different styles, techniques and moves to confuse the opposition and keep them guessing. Put the time and effort in and you can corner the market for great corner-kick taking.