Question Number: 32371

Law 11 - Offside 4/14/2018

RE: Select Under 18

Keith T of Las Vegas, NV USA asks...

On a windy day the GK made a high save with a PIOP. The ball went off the cross bar but due to the wind and spin, the GK made what I deemed a 2d save. The ball then fell to the PIOP and I flagged offside. Those 2 "saves" dont somehow reset the offside position do they? The GK can still be making a 2d save even though he was the last person to touch the ball on the first save?
Thanks.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Keith.
Clear offside gaining an advantage, the deliberate saves were a continuous effort or a series of deflections & rebounds none of which resets offside! .IF the keeper had say grabbed the ball tried to punt it then lost possession it a different story ! In your scenario the keeper never gained controlled possession off a deliberate act.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Keith,
While I suppose it could be possible for a keeper to make 2 separate saves and both be considered as deliberate saves as defined in the offside law, I'm finding it a little difficult to envisage it based on your description. The law in this regard says that:

''A 'save' is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).''

For me, this means that a ball has been struck towards the goal by an opponent (with or without a deflection) and is heading into or close to the goal. If the ball has come back off the bar, it's a tad difficult to see how that definition would apply.

It's another YHTBT moment though and if you as referee thought that the second touch by the keeper did meet the definition of a save, you would be entitled to give the offside.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Keith
A double save is what I believe you are describing. The Laws only mention save yet I see no problem with a goalkeeper having to play the ball twice in a save. It does not read like the goalkeeper exerted control over the ball at any time so for me offside was the correct call.
I can envisage a situation where a goalkeeper saves the ball on to a post, the PIOP challenges for the ball and the GK has to make a second save to prevent the PIOP getting to the ball yet touches the ball but fails then that is offside.