Question Number: 28936

Law 11 - Offside 11/2/2014

RE: Travel Under 11

Andrea of Saint James, ny usa asks...

If a ball is crossed from the corner flag and the goalie tries to hit it out, and 2 players from the opposing team are on the goal line in the offside position and touch the ball in the goal, is it a goal or offside?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Andrea
A player cannot be offside from a corner kick. Now if it is open play then offside applies. So the first question that has to be answered is whether the players on the goal line are ahead of the ball or the 2nd last opponent which places them in an offside position. It does not read that they have two opponents between them and the goal line in this situation so we are left with the position of the ball as the determining factor in the offside psoitions.
The second question is what type of play was made by the goalkeeper. If it was a save then that does not reset the offside. If it was a deliberate play then it does.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Andrea,
There is no offside on a corner kick and ANY contact of the ball by the opponents changes nothing. A NEW TEAM MATE touch of the ball must occur for offside position to be evaluated and confirmed.

If this was just a cross during live play and the two teammates are offside in that no two opponents are standing on the goal line with them. If the ball continues into the goal after a keeper trying to make a save fails as long as they do not touch the ball before it 100% crosses the goal line under the crossbar and between the posts and they have not interfered or challenged any opponents for ball possession the goal would be fine!
You use the term hit it out? by the keeper? There is a small chance he deliberately plays the ball poorly which resets offside allowing them to perhaps play the ball but you are very vague on details to really answer your question properly. Cheers