Question Number: 24457

Law 11 - Offside 1/4/2011

RE: class 3 Adult

japhet kasililwa of sumbawanga, rukwa tanzania asks...

This question is a follow up to question 1977

is it true that there is now, no offside offense if the player who is in an offside position receives the ball from rebound ?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

It is not true. A player who is in an offside position and then plays the ball after it deflects off a defender or after the ball rebounds off a goalpost or crossbar is guilty of infringing the offside law for 'gaining an advantage.' To reset offside position, the ball must be possessed and controlled (in the opinion of the referee) by an opponent. A deflection is not enough.

Offside position is determined at the moment the ball last was touched or played by a teammate, however, and not when the ball deflected or rebounded. Thus, an attacker who was in an onside position when the ball was played by a teammate has the right to participate in play even if positions change when the ball has been deflected or has rebounded.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Japhet
A rebound or a deflection does not reset offside and there has been no changes to Law 11 in this regard.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

This is absolutely not true. If a player is in offside position when a teammate plays the ball and plays the ball after it rebounds off the goal posts, crossbar, the keeper, or any other opponent he will be penalized for an offside infraction

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

No, this is absolutely not true. Deflections or rebounds do NOT reset offside position or excuse it.

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

See Question: 24931

See Question: 25542