Question Number: 23971

Law 11 - Offside 9/20/2010

RE: Rec Under 11

DougB of Irvine, Ca USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22738

In regards to the third scenario, I would like to offer what might have been happening, at least based on the description.

'Girl on a breakaway shoots but goalie stops with feet and then continues to dribble out of box, girl comes from behind and challenges before the keeper can pass and regains control but is flagged for offside since she was behind the keeper and the ball at the point of challenge(very odd one).'

Girl on a breakaway shoots, there is a goalkeeper, and there is also an offside player nearby the goalkeeper.

Goalkeeper stops ball with feet, could be that it 'rebounded off of her feet' and the offside player, gaining advantage by being in offside position, gains control of the ball that was last played by the girl on a breakaway.

This would be a valid offside call, correct?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The description says the goalkeeper 'stops with feet and then continues to dribble out of the box [penalty area]'. This doesn't sound like a deflection; rather the goalkeeper had some control to be able to stop the ball and dribble it.

If it was a one-touch rebound off the goalkeeper, your point would be valid.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Doug
As described your scenarios which involves two attackers would be valid. However if the GK dribbles the ball that is control and offside should not apply.