Question Number: 29352

Law 11 - Offside 4/24/2015

RE: Rep High School

Anthony of stoney creek, ontario canada asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29271

If a player on Team A is in an offside position, and a player from Team accidently passes the ball to Team A player who then scores - is this offside ? If I understand your responses correctly, I would think - yes this is a goal. A real life scenario of what I'm describing is Team A player is offside and Team B player attempts to pass the ball back to his keeper which is then intercepted by Team A player who scores.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Anthony,

You're absolutely correct. There needs to be a previous touch from another attacker for offside to occur. As the defence had control, it's a whole new phase of play so there's no previous attacking touch, so no offside.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Athony
There cannot be any offside when the ball is deliberately played by a player to an opponent in an offside position. The play / touch must be from a team mate. Once a team has control / possession of the ball only players on that team can be considered for offside. So in your example it is a passing error by Team B which Team A benefits from and scores. The goal is good.
This however should not be confused with a rebound, deflection or save by an opponent which is not a reset.
BTW Law 11 advice is now clear on this and I quote
* A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage.*

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Since the pass came from an opponent with control of the ball, there is no offside here. Offside is judged at the moment a teammate touches the ball. Opponent controlling the ball resets offside.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Anthony,
good job, you are spot on!
the laws for offside are applied the same for NFHS highschool as FIFA. The ball was deliberately played by the defending opposition! The offside positioned attacker has broken no laws. A ...GIFT... from the opposition is recieved with thanks by the attacker who credits his good fortune to whom ever's passing mistake it was. lol
Cheers