Question Number: 31179

Law 11 - Offside 1/14/2017

RE: Adult

ray warren of brecon, powys uk asks...

attacking team are breaking and the player on the ball passes the ball forward to a player in an offside position. Whilst in flight it is deflected slightly by hitting the defender but still finds its way to the attacking player in the offside position.

Offside or 'played onside'?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ray
The answer depends on the manner and type of contact by the defender. If the ball is deliberately played there is no offside whereas a deflection or rebound off the defender does not reset the offside.
There can be times when there is a fine line between what is a deliberate play and what is a deflection.

Here is a chart that tries to assist referees n making that decision
http://www.law-11.com/uploads/2/7/9/0/27904083/8626672_orig.jpg

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Ray,
For me, the way you have described it, there would be an offside offence here. A slight deflection where the ball simply hits the defender does not reset offside. As Ref McHugh says though, if there is a deliberate play by the defender the decision would be different, and distinguishing between the two can sometimes be tricky.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ray,
if the attacker RECIEVING the ball is OPP (offside positioned player) then a deflection does NOT change his status and you WOULD award an INDFK for offside.
A my colleagues point out it will be an OPINION of the referee whether a ball deliberately played by the opposing defender is seen as a mistake that gets by off the defender counted as an actual new phase of play with NO offside criteria in play for the attacking opponents or if the ball simply hits the defender on the way to the attacker and as such the OPP is gaining an advantage and WILL be considered as involved and punished with the INDFK for offside!
To some extent offside decisions as to whether a ball is deliberately played or deflected are comparable to how a referee determines what constitutes deliberate handling in arriving at a decision. Does the player hit the ball or does the ball hit the player? Instinctive reactions are difficult to assess as most any defender will make a motion towards an incoming ball without any real thought process than to stop it.
Cheers