Question Number: 29832

Law 11 - Offside 10/19/2015

RE: REC Under 12

Nick of Lompoc, California United States asks...

Offense has a throw-in around the 18yard line. Offense teammate is in an 'offside' position behind the defense. The ball that is thrown in is deflected by defense, but offensive player who was behind the defense fights for possession with ball from defender, wins possession and then scores. Is this player offside since the defense touched it first on the throw in?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nick
This was asked and answered in Q 29693
The last attacking player to touch the ball before the player in an offside position played the ball was from the throw in. As offside does not apply from that throw there cannot be any offside consideration until the ball is played by another attacking player. In this case the deflection by the defender changed nothing as the PIOP cannot be offside from a throw. Had the ball been deflected on by a team mate to the PIOP then offside would apply.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Nick,

There needs to be an attacking touch before it goes to the offside player, not including the throw-in itself. As such, this ball has gone directly to the offside player from the throw in ('directly' refers to the attacking touches, not whether there was a defensive deflection). No offside.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Nick,
the attacking player was offside positioned but it did not matter because his ...involvement... is exempt. There are three exceptions for offside, throw in , corner and goal kick, all permit either team to accept the ball off those 3 restarts with no worries. The defenders touch /play deflection changes nothing for the attack. The attackers are free to participate and chase down any pass or deflection with impunity for offside UNTIL one of their ...own.. teammate touches the ball. Only ...THEN... the offside positional criteria are examined for the rest of his team. If you are taking the throw in and a defending opponent tries to intercept or miss kicks it to what looks like an offside attacker you just thank him very much for the gift as you deposited said ball in the back of the goal.
Cheers