Question Number: 32744

Law 11 - Offside 9/25/2018

Brian of Brooklyn, NY USA asks...

Is there off-side from a GK punt or throw? Does it matter which half the GK's teammate is in?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Brian
The only times offside do not apply is from a throw in, goal kick and corner kick.
Offside applies at all other times including from a goalkeepers punt, kick or throw as the ball is already in play. A player cannot be in an offside position in his own half.
So if a player is in an offside position in the opponents half and the ball is punted by the goalkeeper offside will be called if the PIOP touches the ball or interferes with an opponent no matter where he does that. In a similar situation on a goal kick offside would not apply.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Brian,
There can be an offside offence when a goalkeeper kicks or throws the ball in open play, provided the relevant conditions are met. One of those conditions is that the team mate must be in the opponent's half when the keeper releases the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Brian .
Yes offside criteria are in effect on a punt out or throw out by the keeper. Also on any outgoing free kicks EXCEPT The goal kick ! There are only 3 exemptions all on restarts as explained by my colleague.
One criteria to NOT be offside is to be inside your half of the FOP when the ball is last touched by a team mate .

If for example the keeper was to punt the ball down field with a team mate inside his own half near the midfield & as the ball flew in the air he ran past the center circle into the opposition half so he is was in behind the 2nd last opponent to retrieve the ball as it hit the ground he is ONSIDE free to pursue the ball because he was inside his own half when his keeper kicked it. If he was already there waiting in behind the 2nd opponent inside the opposition half then he would be offside .
Cheers

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 32748