Question Number: 29652

Law 16 - Goal Kick 9/1/2015

RE: Select Under 13

K Hinze of Columbus, OH United States asks...

I understand the that you cannot be offside on a goal kick if you are an attacker on team A and your own team is taking the goal kick. My question on this Scenario: Team B goalkeeper is taking a goal kick and team A player lines up just outside the penalty area but in front of the second player last player from team A. Team B GK takes goal kick, it exits penalty area and Team A player plays ball. Is Player A offside when he is behind second to last defender on other team's goal kick?
Is the rule that you cannot be offside regardless of team taking goal kick?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi K ,
you got it right at the end. Both teams are EXEMPT from offside criteria.
The ball is in play once it clears the PA. Either team can play that ball. First team to do so, it becomes a NEW offside phase of first touch of the ball of a team mate. Once the ball is past the 2nd last opponent closer to the goal line remember the ball itself is an offside line.

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
Offside is a team concept so a player cannot be offside ever from a ball deliberately played by an opponent.
In your scenario as team player A is in an offside position that only matters if the ball is played by a team mate when offside applies. As the ball is ball is played by Team B offside does not apply.
Tactically it is not a great position as it relies on a mistake by Team B. If a team mate of the PIOP gains possession of the ball that player is excluded from play until placed in an onside position

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

K,

The player would not be guilty of an offside infraction. In order to be guilty of an offside infraction, the player must:

1) Be nearer to the goal than the second to last defender or the ball (whichever is closer).

2)The ball must be last touched by a teammate. If the defender makes a deliberate play, then the player CAN NOT be offside

So in your scenario, the Team A player can not be offside since the ball was last played by a defender AND since the ball was nearer to the goal than the Team A player when it was last kicked.