The first Football Association rule governing the ball going out of play behind the goal-line (law 7) was amended in 1869 as follows:
When the ball is kicked behind the goal line it must be kicked off by the side behind whose goal it went within six yards from the limit of their goal. The side who thus kick the ball is entitled to a fair kick-off in whatever way they please without aby obstruction - the side opposite not being able to approach within six yards of the ball.
The law was amended again in 1873:
When the ball is kicked behind the goal-line by one of the opposite side, it shall be kicked off by any one of the players behind whose goal-line it went, withing six yards of the nearest goal-post; but if kicked behind by any one of the side whose goal-line it is, a player of the opposite side shall kick it from the nearest corner-flag. In either case, no other player shall be withing six yards of the ball when it is kicked off.
In 1913 the distance of the opponents from the ball was increased to ten yards. A further amendment prevented the kicker of a corner to play the ball a second time until it had been played by another player, even if it rebounded to him after striking the upright. It is said that Everton's Sam Chedgzoy took a corner and dribbled the ball through his opponents and scored, thus forcing the change of law!
In 1927, a clause was added allowing a goal to be scored direct from a free kick (including corners).