Question Number: 24954

Law 16 - Goal Kick 5/16/2011

RE: Adult

fma of hbt, tas aus asks...

Offside rule is not apllicable off a goal kick. Is that a goal kick from either end?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. But, for different reasons.

A member of the kicking team cannot be called offside on a goal kick because of the exception in the offside law for receiving a ball directly from a goal kick.

An opponent of the kicking team can never be called offside when the ball was last controlled and played by an opponent. Offside position is determined whenever the ball is touched by a teammate. So, the flag stays down because an opponent played it last. This would apply in every restart by the other team, not just a goal kick.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
The answer to your question is yes but not for the reason you mention.
A player cannot be called offside when the ball is played to him by an opponent who has control of the ball either during open play or at a retstart. So it makes no difference if the ball comes from any play by an opponent such as a goal kick, free kick as it cannot be offside.
Also a player cannot be offside when he receives the ball directly from a team mate at a goal kick, throw in or corner kick.
This however should not be confused with a rebound or a defelection of an opponent which is not a deliberate play. Offside is not reset in those situations.