Question Number: 18436

Law 11 - Offside 2/27/2008

RE: AMATURE Under 17

GORDON MEADOWS of PALMWOODS, QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 17284

This is similar to Question #17284.
A 'keeper takes a goal kick [place kick] hoping the ball will reach his striker who is way up field in an off-side position. If the striker receives the ball directy there is no off-side offence [Law 11]. But, suposing the ball deflects off a defender in the opposing team before the ball reaches the striker - should the assistant referee signal off - side because the striker has received the ball IN-directly?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

It's true that the attacker did not receive the ball directly from the goal kick, because of the deflection off the opponent. So let's discuss how we deal with deflections in general.

If the opponent deliberately plays the ball, it's not a deflection. The attacker has received the ball from the opponent, so there is no offside consideration.

If the defender simply deflects the ball, then under the interpretations of Law 11, any offside situation remains the same as if the defender had not touched the ball. So in the case of a deflection off a goal kick, the attacker would be deemed to not be liable for offside. The exception for receiving the ball from a goal kick still applies, because the previous touch of the ball by one of his teammates was the goal kick.

If the ball deflects off another attacker though, everything changes. If the attacker was in an offside position at the time of the deflection off her teammate, then she may not become involved in play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

NO the AR keeps the flag down as no offside is present!
As my colleague points out offside criteria are NOT reset on deflections of the ball off an OPPONENT. Hence as no offside was in effect for the attacking team before the ball was deflected there is no offside after for the attacking team. HOWEVER< the defender has now touched the ball and ANY deflection of the ball off a player renders HIS side only as liable for offside criteria to be applied .
If you grasp that it is possible for both teams to have ineliagble or restricted offside positioned players at the SAME time then you will have mastered this deflection rejection theory! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Right Gordon, the key to sorting this one is when those in offside positions are prohibited from interfering. That, too, is found in Law 11 just as the three exceptions to an offside offence are.

So, when does Law 11 tell the referee to sanction a players participation after he is found in an offside position? Yes, right you are -- when the ball has been touched or played by one of his own team. In the case you ask about this has not yet happened, has it? The first touch, the goal kick, has gone through to him via an opponent. We're going to allow this because there can be no sanction for being in an offside position until the ball touches or is touched by a teammate.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Receiving the ball after it has touched an OPPONENT does nothing!!!! FIFA used the word directly to mean the ball only comes from one TEAMMATE. If it touches another TEAMMATE then offside resets