Question Number: 30280

Law 11 - Offside 4/12/2016

RE: Intermediate Under 13

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30272

Just to throw one more idea into the mix. I noticed that no one mentioned the possibility that the defender made a deliberate play, but that it was a deliberate save. Does this mean that a deliberate save by a defender can only occur if the ball is headed directly into the goal, rather than a pass to an attacker who may or may not be in an offside position?

Thanks for your opinions.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
Many thanks for your follow up. Associations have opined that a deliberate save only applies to shots headed towards goal. My associations advice on this is that it would not be a save so that option under Law 11 would not be available.
Save means just that. To save a goal being scored.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Phil,
while Ref McHugh and I might disagree it was or was not a deliberate action neither of us would call the ball being passed as a deliberate save where that ball was destined for goal! I think your reasoning is sound that a deliberate save by a defender can only occur if the ball is headed directly into the goal, rather than a pass to an attacker who may or may not be in an offside position.
Joe holds there was sufficient time and space and the defender chose to deliberately play the ball by making a conscious effort to play it . I hold she reacted to the ball, there was not really time space and she lunged to stop it! The officials in that match agreed with me. I have seen other matches where the officials and I are in disagreement but then is this because offside is perhaps an outdated idea as often as my good friend and colleague Ref McHugh often remarks? Is it like an engine in a car that wears out, you can tinker with it for a good long time but there comes a time when you need to replace that motor. Maybe for the good of the game an engine change would be good!
Cheers