Question Number: 29751

Law 11 - Offside 9/30/2015

RE: competive Adult

Ken of Belfast, Antrim Northern Ireland asks...

This question is a follow up to question 29552

What if the defender makes an attempt to play the ball but misses it completely. Is the attacker then on or offside, as no touch was made by the defender. Is the deliberate act of trying to play the ball enough to make the attacker onside....

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ken,
no a physical touch is required an attempt or a swing and a miss will not reset offside as the ball is then STILL last touched/played by the PIOP's team mate.
I recall the long ball into the opposing PA being chased by an offside attacker who, upon realizing the keeper was closer, stops and turns away, figuring the keeper to pick the ball up and punt it out. Instead the keeper watches the ball roll to a dead stop about 3 yds from the edge of the goal line to the right side of goal. Given they are leading, it is a hot day, the keeper simply stands beside the ball. Finally the opponent who was the PIOP chasing the original pass succumbs to the pressure and heads deep into the PA. The keeper waits as the opponent challenges then hears the whistle as the offside is called moving the ball well upfield for an INDFK . The restart location REMAINED the original PIOP position when the ball was first hit down towards the PA . The PIOP REMAINED restricted even though the keeper had obvious control of the ball but NEVER had touched it!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ken
An offside reset only happens when the ball is played by a defender. An attempt to play the ball with no contact is not suffice.

I would also point out that a rebound or deflection off a defender is not a reset either.