Question Number: 30110

Law 11 - Offside 2/15/2016

RE: Level 4 Adult

Lenard Wynne of Johannesburg, South Africa asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30105

Thanks for the answer.
just a follow up question, the Law says an attacker is not off side if he receives the ball 'Directly' from a goal kick. Does this not have any impact on the decision.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lenard
Directly means from a team mate and offside can only be from a touch / play by a team mate. A play by an opponent is another phase of play so as the last team mate of the player in an offside position to touch the ball was at the goal kick, or the throw in or the corner kick there cannot be any offside. A touch by an opponent changes nothing only a subsequent touch / play by a team mate.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Lenard,
the direct aspect refers to fact that either team can play the initial kick with impunity. An opponent can can stand at the outer edge of the PA or goal line with only the goal kick keeper taking the kick or an attacker can be standing inside the opposition PA right in front or even in behind the keeper in an offside position. Either player can receive the benefit of that goal kick DIRECTLY going to him to play the ball.

The difference is the opponent's position is ignored because the keeper is deliberately playing the ball and the opponent is not held accountable for his position as his team has YET to touch the ball. The attacker as a team mate of the keeper is exempt from offside at the time of the goal kick and if a subsequent touch occurs by the opponent before he has an opportunity to play the ball he has not lost that initial exemption. Another team mate would have to make contact with the ball to initialize new offside criteria.
Cheers