Question Number: 18221

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 1/8/2008

RE: High School

joe miller of hampstead, maryland USA asks...

First question:A defender intentionally plays a ball back to the keeper but it touches an opponent. Is the goalie allowed to use his hands? Does it matter if the opponent's touch alters the direction of the ball or doesn't?

Second question: Player 1 is on the onside position along the left side but Player 2 is on an offside position in the center. Player 3 plays the ball to Player 1 but the ball deflects off a defender and caroms in the direction of Player 2, or in the opinion of the referee, caroms towards the goal and Player 2 runs onto it. Is Player 2 offsides in either case?

Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

You'll find in the high school rules it is an offense when a team mate deliberately kicks the ball to the goalkeeper and he uses his hands. This is also an offence everywhere else in the world as well. Of course this ball has gotten there by way of an opponent and therefore the keeper is free to use his hands.

With regard to offside, a player in an offside position when the ball is last touched or played by one of his own team is unable to participate in play until he moves to a position that is not offside and the ball is touched or played again by his side or the opponents gain full control of the ball.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes. The ball touched an opponent. This is true even if the opponent never establishes control of the ball.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 18233

See Question: 18238