Question Number: 17779

Law 11 - Offside 11/8/2007

RE: Recreational Other

Roger K. Hodgkiss of Nashua, NH USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17284

My recreational league changed from a full field 11v11 format for the U12 level to the smaller field 8v8 format. A question was raised that since there is no offside on a goal kick, what's to prevent a member of the kicking team from positioning himself in front of the opposition's goal and, providing the keeper can kick that far, being the first to play the ball? Just to be clear, this is a true goal kick from within the goal area (not a punt).
My first thought was that if an attacker was able to position himself past the defenders and the keeper didn't call for help, there's a bigger problem.
Thanks in advance.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

No problem with that scenario whatsoever - if the player taking the goal kick can boot it that far. It would take a pretty mighty kick for a U12 player - I'm presuming you're playing on fields that are about 80 yards long.

Since goal kicks are direct, the player taking the kick could score a goal - and it has happened on full-size fields, with a lucky bounce.

Now, if the goal kick doesn't make it all the way to the other end of the field, your long-ranging striker will be in a very offside position and unable to participate in play until she gets back to an onside position when her team next touches the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

perfectly legal. If the keeper can kick it that far and it doesn't touch a teammate on the way, the attacker in front of the keeper may legally play the ball. As you rightly say, the keeper should be yelling her head off for some assistance!