Corners taken

What are corners taken?

This stat counts the number of times a team puts the ball back into play from the corner after being awarded a corner kick. It shows how often a team executes a corner during a match or over a period of time.

It is slightly different from terms like “corners won” or “corners awarded”, which refer to how many times a team earns the chance to take a corner. In most cases, these lead to a corner being taken, but this metric specifically focuses on the act of taking the kick from the corner arc.

How corners taken are recorded

Every time a team puts the ball back into play from the corner arc, it counts as a corner taken. This stat is easy to track and is recorded during every football match.

When is a corner recorded?

A corner is counted when:

– The ball goes out past the goal line
– A defender (defending goal keeper included) was the last to touch it (and it wasn’t a goal)
– The attacking team then takes the kick from the corner arc

As soon as the corner is actually kicked, it is recorded as a corner taken.

How is it tracked?

Data providers and match analysts track corners either live during the match or by reviewing the video afterwards. Since it is based on a clear action ie the ball being kicked from the corner spot, it is considered a straightforward stat with little room for debate.

Why the corner happened

While not part of the corner count itself, it is also useful to note why the corner was awarded. Common reasons include:

– A defender deflecting a shot wide
– A clearance behind the goal line
– A goalkeeper pushing the ball out
– A blocked cross going out of play

This extra context helps analysts understand how attacking pressure is being applied and how well the opposing team is defending.

What affects the number of corners taken?

The number of corners a team takes during a match can vary widely. It depends on how they play, how the opposition defends, and what is happening in the game. Here are the main factors:

Attacking style and use of width

Teams that attack down the wings and use wide players, such as wingers or overlapping full-backs, are more likely to win corners. Their crosses and runs often force defenders to knock the ball behind the goal, leading to more corners.

How the opponent defends

If the opposing team defends deep or plays with a compact shape, the attacking team may be forced to take more shots or work the ball wide. Both of these approaches can lead to deflections, blocks, or saves that result in corners.

Scoreline and match situation

The number of corners can also depend on the game’s context. A team that is behind will usually attack more aggressively, increasing the chances of earning corners. On the other hand, a team that is winning may slow down the game and attack less, which often means fewer corners. There are cases however when the team leading (usually with a slender lead) would drag the ball wide, and try to get deflections to get corners and wind down the clock.

Player traits and tendencies

Some players naturally increase a team’s corner count. Wingers who regularly try to beat their markers and deliver crosses, or strikers who run into wide areas, can draw defenders into making last-minute clearances that result in corners.

Finishing efficiency

Oddly enough, poor finishing can also lead to more corners. If a shot is deflected wide by a defender or shot too close to the keeper and saved, it goes out for a corner rather than ending up in the net. So, the more blocked or saved shots there are, the higher the number of corners

What corners taken can (and cannot) tell you

Counting how many corners a team takes can offer some insight into their attacking play, but it does not tell the whole story. Here’s what this stat might suggest, and what it does not show:

What it can indicate

Attacking pressure and territory

A team that takes lots of corners is often spending more time in the opposition’s half, especially in the final third. It usually means they are applying pressure and forcing defenders to make clearances or blocks that lead to corners. This can further be understood by using a tool like Sportmonks’ pressure index.

What it does not always mean

Quality chances are being created

Just because a team wins many corners does not mean they are creating great chances. Some corners might be poorly delivered, easily cleared, or not lead to a shot at all.

Attacks are effective

Sometimes, a high number of corners comes from attacks that do not succeed. For example, blocked crosses or shots that go wide off a defender can inflate the corner count without showing real attacking quality.

Delivery or set-piece quality

The “corners taken” stat does not tell you how well the ball was delivered, or whether the team had a plan for the set-piece. A team might have many corners but struggle to make them count because of poor delivery or weak movement in the box.

Defensive style of the opponent

A deep, compact defence might lead to more corners simply because attacking teams are trying to break them down. These attempts may not always be dangerous, but they can still lead to corners if the ball is blocked or deflected behind the goal.

Tactical approaches to corners

When a team wins a corner, they can choose how to take it based on their strategy, the players they have, and what is happening in the match. There are two main ways to approach a corner kick: short corners and direct crosses.

1. Short corners: Instead of crossing the ball straight into the box, a player might pass it short to a nearby teammate. This approach is used to:

– Create space: Pull defenders out of the box, opening up new passing or crossing options.
– Keep possession: Avoid a risky cross and keep the ball in an advanced area for a more controlled attack. This is used particularly when teams fear the threat of their opponent’s counter.
– Change the angle: Set up a better crossing position by moving the ball slightly away from the corner.

Short corners are often chosen when the opposition defends well in the air, or when the attacking team has technical players who can build a more creative move.

2. Direct crosses into the box: This is the traditional method. The player taking the corner kicks the ball straight into the penalty area, aiming for a teammate to score with a header or volley. There are several types of direct crosses:

– Near-post crosses: Aimed at players making quick runs to the front of the goal.
– Far-post crosses: Delivered to players waiting at the back of the box, often tall or strong in the air.
– Driven crosses: Fast and low, designed for flick-ons or timed runs into space.
– Lofted crosses: Higher balls that give attackers more time to position themselves and challenge in the air.

The choice of cross depends on the attacking team’s strengths, like having tall strikers or clever runners as well as any rehearsed routines. These routines might include specific player movements, decoy runs to pull defenders away, or targeted delivery based on how the opposition defends set-pieces.

How to analyse corners taken with other stats

To really understand what the number of corners taken tells you, it helps to look at it alongside other key stats. This gives a clearer view of how well a team is using its corners and how important set-pieces are in their overall game plan.

1. Corners taken vs shots from corners: This shows how often a team turns a corner into a shot on goal. If a team takes lots of corners but creates very few shots, it could point to:

– Poor delivery from the corner-taker
– Weak movement or organisation in the box
– Strong defending by the opposition

2. Corners taken vs goals scored from corners: This is one of the best ways to measure how effective a team is at using corners. A low goal-to-corner ratio i.e. goals from corners suggests missed chances or weak routines. A high ratio shows the team is making the most of their set-piece chances with good planning, delivery, and finishing.

3. Who takes the corners and how often: Looking at which players take the most corners can highlight who handles set-pieces in a team. Comparing different teams’ corner stats can also reveal how much each one relies on set-pieces as part of their attack.

4. Corners taken during different scorelines: Teams may take more corners when they are behind, trying to score, or when pushing for a win. Analysing how a team’s corner count changes when they are winning, losing, or drawing can show how their attacking intent shifts depending on the match situation.

5. Corners compared to other attacking stats: To get a full picture of a team’s attack, it helps to compare corners taken with:

– Shots on target
– Crosses from open play
– Expected goals (xG)

This can show how much a team depends on corners. For example, a team that wins lots of corners but does not create many open-play chances might be heavily focused on set-pieces as their main route to goal.

Trends and records related to corners taken

While corners taken is a basic stat, it can still reveal interesting patterns and records that offer deeper insights into how teams play and how the game evolves.

1. Teams with high corner counts

Some teams are known for taking lots of corners, especially those that play with width and focus on attacking through the wings. These teams often aim to create set-piece chances on purpose. Over the course of a season, they may consistently top the charts for corners taken. In the Premier League this season, the top corner taking teams are Spurs, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa.

2. Matches with very high or low corner totals

Occasionally, a match will stand out for having an unusually high or low number of corners. This often depends on the flow of the game:

– High corner matches: End-to-end games with lots of blocked shots or crosses.
– Low corner matches: More cautious, defensive matches with fewer attacks.

3. Individual player corner stats (less common)

While most corner data focuses on teams, some players, usually regular corner-takers, can rack up large numbers of corners taken over their careers. These stats are less often highlighted than goals or assists, but they still reflect a player’s role in set-pieces. Since his debut, James Ward-Prowse has taken the most corners in Premier League history (1349 and counting).

4. Trends in corner-to-goal conversion

Over time, analysts have studied how often corners actually lead to goals. This conversion rate can vary by league, team, and season. Improvements in set-piece coaching and better defensive setups can both affect how successful corners are at producing goals.

How to get “Corners taken” data with Sportmonks

Sportmonks’ Football API includes data on “corners taken” as part of its huge collection of team and match stats. You can get this information from special parts of the API that give match statistics. This lets you find out how many corner kicks each team had in a game.

What you can do with this data

– Understand team plans: See how often a team uses corner kicks and if they create good scoring chances from them.
– Check game pressure: More corners can mean a team is attacking a lot. This shows how well a team is playing offense during a game.
– Improve betting: Use corner stats in your predictions to make smarter bets e.g. corner betting.

Easy to use and change

Sportmonks’ data service is flexible, so you can:

– Filter data: Get corner stats for just certain teams, games, or seasons.
– Mix data: Combine “corners taken” with other stats like shots on target, ball possession, and “expected goals” (xG) for a full analysis.
– Live updates: Get real-time data during games to see how many corners are being taken as the match goes on.

How to start

To check out “corners taken” and other football stats, you can try Sportmonks for free for 14 days. This trial gives you access to their vast data and lets you test how well the API works for your projects or analysis.

Visit Sportmonks’ official website to learn more and start your trial.