Question Number: 29387

Law 11 - Offside 5/7/2015

RE: Select / Competitive Under 16

Bob of Wixom, MI USA asks...

During an attack on goal, a second attacker is in an off-side position. If the ball is passed to the player, offside call is made.
Q1: If the shot defects from the frame to the player, offside call is made, correct?
Q2: If the shot defects off the keeper attempting to player the ball, player is offside or not?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
In both instances the player in an offside position is called offside for meeting the offside condition of gaining an advantage by being in that position. The only way it is not offside is when the ball is deliberately played to the PIOP by an opponent and that excludes saves.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

1. Correct. A deflection to the offside position player would be offside
2. Offside based on your use of the word 'deflects'.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bob,
you are spot on my friend! The offside criteria is met, in both instances an INDFK out, should be the result. The concept of gaining an advantage means that the offside positioned player benefited from a rebound or deflection.

The slightly confusing idea of a ball being deliberately played by the opponent (which could include the keeper) which does reset offside is looked at in the SAME manner as a deflection or rebound IF that deliberate play was classified as a ...DELIBERATE SAVE on goal, thus no reset on offside.

Cheers