Question Number: 30976

Law 11 - Offside 10/29/2016

RE: Select Under 18

Sean of Newtown, Pa Usa asks...

My question pertains to offsides

Its my understanding on a goal kick you can not be offsides correct ?

In Saturday's match my team had a goal kick late in game. The opposing team was down and everyone
On that team pressed up into our side of the pitch. My player kicked the goal kick and crushed it over their heads and across midfield to my team mate who was all alone on that half of the field

Yes he was past all the defenders


The referee called offsides
He said it was because he was on the attacking half of the pitch. That's true he was BUT he received the ball directly from the goal kick

Was he offsides ?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Sean,
NO! he was fine and should have been able to take advantage of that great kick so tough luck. The referee requires some homework on LAW 11!
a GOAL kick (derived when the opponents kick the ball over your goal line but do not score!) is one of the three restarts that are exempt from offside so you CAN receive the ball DIRECTLY from the team mate without penalty.
The referee has erred IF it was a GOAL KICK restart as the location of the team mate inside the oppositions half makes NO difference. Offside position is NOT looked at on that type of restart. A punt out or a throw out in regulation offside exists, an INDFK or DFK for a foul or misconduct out, offside exists but NOT on the GOAL KICK or a throw in or a corner kick.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
You are correct. A player cannot be offside from any restart where the ball has left the field of play - a goal kick, throw in or corner kick.
Now offside does apply to a punt as the ball us in play. As it was a goal kick, taken from the goal area offside does not apply directly.