Question Number: 30878

Law 11 - Offside 10/10/2016

RE: Adult

Bob Heinrich of Emerson, New Jersey Usa asks...

White player 1 is in an offside position within the 6yd box. White player 2 is onside and shoots on goal. Blue keeper attempts to push the shot over the crossbar. The ball hits the crossbar after being played by blue keeper. After hitting the crossbar white player 1 heads the ball into goal.

Offside or goal?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
This is offside for gaining an advantage by being in that position. A save or rebound off an opponent / frame of the goal does not reset offside so when the player in an offside position interferes with play or an opponent in such circumstances then offside is called.
To quote the relevant section of Law 11
** gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has:
# rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent
# been deliberately saved by any opponent**

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Bob,
easy call for offside INDFK out as the OPP white #1 is gaining an advantage off a deliberate save or a rebound, either of those two events do NOT reset offside for the opposition. The restart is taken from the point he headed the ball but if he was still within the 6 yard goal area, as a free kick headed out it can be taken from any point within the 6 yard goal area.
Cheers