Question Number: 29730

Law 11 - Offside 9/21/2015

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29725

I seem to read something different in the question. On a DFK, wouldn't the player behind (& probably also the one in front) be in an offside position. If so, even if they don't move, at least one of them seems to be blocking the vision & movement of the GK. That wouldn't apply to a corner kick, of course.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
As it was a corner kick offside was not a consideration. On a free kick it would and then it depends if the defending team has players on the line with the goalkeeper some 2/3 yards from the line. It is up to the defending team to use offside to perhaps protect the GK from this.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Phil,

As Ref McHugh states, if for some reason they tried this at a free kick then yes, offside by Interfering with an Opponent (blocking the keeper's view) would definitely be a consideration. It would also be a consideration if there's an attacking touch after the ball is in play. But not on the first kick that puts the corner kick into play.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Phil,
the blocking for offside on a free kick is most certainly a consideration, as the position might be later for offside involvement but as you say not on a corner which is exempt!
There was a tactic where 4 or 3 players would surround the keeper on the goal line front , side and back then try to claim the keeper was at fault for running into them. Fair play dictates position of the field can be taken without penalty but this sort of movement done without the ball nearby is impeding the keeper and intervention by the referee ahead of the kick might prevent the fiasco after!
Cheers