Question Number: 30975

Law 11 - Offside 10/29/2016

RE: Rec Under 9

Matt Tummins of Dickson, Tennessee USA asks...

Opposing goalie scoops up shot on goal and misthrows it high in the air. My player runs in front of their closest player to the goalie ....steals the ball and scores...is he offside.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Matt
Not offside. The attacker received the ball from an opponent that is the goalkeeper so that can never be offside. A player in an offside must receive the ball from a play / touch by a team mate to be considered offside. When it is deliberately played by an opponent offside does not apply.
If it were a save or a rebound / deflection off an opponent and not a deliberate play offside would apply.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Matt,
NO! Once the keeper had gained ball possession there is NO offside criteria left over that pertains to the opposition. The fact an opponent i.e.(the keeper) misplays the ball to the attacker is a gift, nothing more. The ball is LAST played by the defence opposition not a teammate of the attackers thus no offside is possible for your attacker.

It might be a DIFFERENT story if the keeper while attempting to make a save had the ball bounce away or deflect or rebound to your player and your player was restricted at the time of his team mate's shot, he would not be able to play the ball as he could be guilty of gaining an advantage.

Offside criteria is reassessed at every NEW touch of the ball by a teammate but the restricted portion of a player who was guilty of an offside position earlier does not get RESET, if the opposition's touch is viewed as a deliberate save rebound or deflection. YET even an ACCIDENTAL touch of the ball WILL STILL place your TEAM MATES in the freeze frame picture of DOES offside criteria apply to THEM at that critical touch moment. If you can grasp that it is theoretically possible to have players from both sides RESRTICTED as OPP (offside positioned player) in neither can play the ball or interfere with an opponent you will have a better view of offside then most!
Cheers