short corner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Sports
Quick answer
What does “short corner” mean?
A specific attacking play or restart in football (soccer), in which the ball is passed a short distance from the corner taker to a nearby teammate, rather than being crossed directly into the penalty area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific attacking play or restart in football (soccer), in which the ball is passed a short distance from the corner taker to a nearby teammate, rather than being crossed directly into the penalty area.
In hockey, particularly field hockey, it can also refer to a penalty corner, which is a standard set piece. In general sports usage, it denotes any corner kick or hit taken with a short, tactical pass.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is almost exclusively a football/soccer term. In the US, it is understood primarily in soccer contexts but is less common due to the sport's lower cultural dominance; the term may require explanation for general audiences.
Connotations
UK: tactical, clever, associated with technical teams. US: purely descriptive of a soccer play, with fewer cultural connotations.
Frequency
High frequency in UK sports media (TV, radio, print) during football matches. Low frequency in general US media, except within dedicated soccer coverage.
Grammar
How to Use “short corner” in a Sentence
The winger TOOK a short corner.They TRIED a short corner.The manager INSTRUCTED them to PLAY a short corner.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “short corner” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to short-corner it.
- He's going to try and short-corner the defence.
American English
- The team will short-corner on this play.
adverb
British English
- They took the corner short.
- He always goes short from corners.
American English
- She played it short on the corner.
adjective
British English
- It was a short-corner routine.
- Their short-corner tactic failed.
American English
- They have a dangerous short-corner play.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
May appear in sports science papers analyzing set-piece tactics.
Everyday
Used among football fans discussing a match.
Technical
Standard terminology in football coaching manuals, match commentary, and tactical analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “short corner”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “short corner”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “short corner”
- Using 'short corner' to describe a corner kick that is physically low in trajectory (that's a 'low corner' or 'driven corner').
- Confusing it with a 'near-post corner', which describes the target area, not the method of taking it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In field hockey, 'short corner' is often used interchangeably with 'penalty corner' in casual commentary, though strictly, a penalty corner involves a longer push-out from the backline.
Technically, yes, if the initial short pass is considered the 'taking' of the corner. However, the tactical aim is usually to create a better crossing or shooting opportunity for a teammate.
To disrupt the defensive setup, create better angles for crosses, draw defenders out of position, or maintain possession in a dangerous area when the box is heavily marked.
The main risk is losing possession near your own penalty area, which can lead to a dangerous counter-attack for the opposition if the short pass is intercepted.
A specific attacking play or restart in football (soccer), in which the ball is passed a short distance from the corner taker to a nearby teammate, rather than being crossed directly into the penalty area.
Short corner is usually technical, sports in register.
Short corner: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːt ˈkɔːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːrt ˈkɔːrnər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Playing the short game (from the corner)”
- “A corner with a twist”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SHORT = a small pass, CORNER = from the corner flag. A short trip from the corner.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DETOUR FROM THE USUAL PATH (instead of going directly to goal, the ball takes a different, shorter route first).
Practice
Quiz
In football, what is the primary purpose of a 'short corner'?