Question Number: 29732

Law 11 - Offside 9/23/2015

RE: High School

brad of owings mills, maryland usa asks...

goalie catches ball and kicks it to an offensive player(opposite team), who is in an off-sides position. would he be considered to be off sides since at the time there was no second defender between him and the goalie> thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brad
This CANNOT be offside as the ball has been deliberately played by an opponent that is the goalkeeper. A player can only be offside, provided he meets all the offside conditions, if the ball is played or touched by a TEAM MATE not an opponent.
The only times a PIOP can be called offside off the touch by an opponent is from a rebound, a deflection or a save from a play by a PIOPs team mate. That is called gaining an advantage by being in that position. A deliberate play by an opponent is none of those.
So as described there is no possible offside here just a mistake by the GK and an interception.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Brad,
given the keeper has control and possession, this is not a deliberate save, but a release of the ball after being the last player to touch it. If the ball is NOW intercepted by an opponent who is closer to the goal line than the 2nd last defender that opponent is free to take advantage of the keeper's mistake. The only consideration is the PIOP must not have tried to restrict the keeper in any way upon the release!
Cheers