What is the point in corner flags?

Ajr

Scrambling for an ailibi
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Thinking up of my next genius thread
I get the point of the post, to see if it goes to the left or right to see if it's a corner or a throw in. The flags actually are quite pointless however, surely? It's no different than having flags on top of the goal posts.
 
It's to measure windspeed so corner takers can have a good idea of how much whip to put on the ball when taking into account the wind.

I hope one person believes this, if just for a second.
 
First Google search: The flag exists to help you make a distinction between a throw-in and a GK/corner. It's for this reason that the corner flags are technically mandatory, while the half-way flags are entirely optional.
 
To give another dimension to pictures. Do we really reckon this would've been an iconic pic without the flag being there?

CIsCTABWUAA--06.jpg
 
Don’t they have different shaped ones for FA cup winners? Or is that a myth? Clubs who haven’t won it have normal rectangular ones whilst cup winners have triangular? Or am I way off the mark here. Maybe it’s something i dreamt.
 
Ajr said:
I get the point of the post, to see if it goes to the left or right to see if it's a corner or a throw in. The flags actually are quite pointless however, surely? It's no different than having flags on top of the goal posts.
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Father Dougal would heartily disagree.
 
Stookie said:
Don’t they have different shaped ones for FA cup winners? Or is that a myth? Clubs who haven’t won it have normal rectangular ones whilst cup winners have triangular? Or am I way off the mark here. Maybe it’s something i dreamt.
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You didnt dream it. You watched the same film as I did in the 90's. "Twin town??" This gets a mention when the two brothers are in the bath!!
 
Stookie said:
Don’t they have different shaped ones for FA cup winners? Or is that a myth? Clubs who haven’t won it have normal rectangular ones whilst cup winners have triangular? Or am I way off the mark here. Maybe it’s something i dreamt.
Click to expand...

Remember seeing or hearing this too.

Legend has it, that it goes back to Cardiff changing them in 1927 to commemorate their FA cup win, but also to annoy and remind local rivals Swansea that they won it. And it was picked up from there.

Nothing official in the rules about it.

Before corner flags were implented there was a system known as rouges, where two flags were placed 4 yards from the goal post on either side, if the ball went between them or was touched down or something the attacking team got a point. The number of these rouges was used to determine a winner in a tied game.
 
DON’T PANIC ™ said:
You didnt dream it. You watched the same film as I did in the 90's. "Twin town??" This gets a mention when the two brothers are in the bath!!
Click to expand...
yes, That’s it, thanks!
Oranges038 said:
Remember seeing or hearing this too.

Legend has it, that it goes back to Cardiff changing them in 1927 to commemorate their FA cup win, but also to annoy and remind local rivals Swansea that they won it. And it was picked up from there.

Nothing official in the rules about it.

Before corner flags were implented there was a system known as rouges, where two flags were placed 4 yards from the goal post on either side, if the ball went between them or was touched down or something the attacking team got a point. The number of these rouges was used to determine a winner in a tied game.
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interesting thanks
 
I do find it really weird that the corner poles can and sometimes do keep the ball in play. Doesn't feel right at all
 
Possibly should be in the 'things that are true but don't seem it' thread, but under current IFAB Laws of the game, a football pitch MUST have corner flags for the game to go ahead. Weirdly, you don't actually need a goal net though. The posts and crossbar are mandatory, but the net itself, is not needed.
 
The actual flags (not the poles) serve no purpose beyond the possible scenario where a player taking a corner kick actually checks the flag in order to determine wind direction (like a sniper, if you will). I can imagine someone like Beckham doing this. Most players probably don't.

Seriously, though - they do make it easier to see where the pole is from a distance. Which could be of use to a ref or a linesman.

(At least one with poor eyesight - or one who isn't aware of where it normally is).
 
Samid said:
To give another dimension to pictures. Do we really reckon this would've been an iconic pic without the flag being there?

CIsCTABWUAA--06.jpg
Click to expand...
He’s under arrest for impersonating a professional footballer
 
Well if the flag wasn't there, and the ball rolled off the pitch right where the flag used to be, would it be a goalkick or a throw in?
 
Main benefit of the flag I imagine is players being able to see where the corner is in their peripheral vision easily.
 
I was watching an Oldham game a couple of months or so ago and there was a 10-15 mins delay when a fan nicked one and they wouldn’t let them use a makeshift one. I’ve no idea why this is the case.
 
Always find it helpful when you’re sat at the other end of the ground.
 
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