Question Number: 33576

Law 11 - Offside 8/15/2019

RE: Adult

bryan wade of cincinnati, OH USA asks...

I am in an onside position when the ball is played to my team mate, during the flight of the pass to my team mate I drift offside.
The ball strikes my team mate in the back of his head whilst I am still in an offside position.
The ball travels back towards in the direction from where it came.

I check my run, and turn to recover the ball, am I offside at this point.
PS I was in front of the ball and my team mate when it struck him on the back of his head.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Bryan, once the RESTRICTED by in an offside position occurs NOTHING changes that restriction until the opposition gain possession or deliberately plays the ball, you are not offside positioned at the next team mates touch of the ball or the ball goes out of play . Even an accdental touch by a team mate is the same as if he kicked the ball or headed it deliberately. A touch is a touch.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bryan
As described this is offside.
The last touch even inadvertent is used to determine offside. As you were in an offside position at that touch by your team mate it will be called offside when you interfere with play or an opponent.
It make no difference where the player receive the ball just the location at the last touch / play of the ball by a team mate.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Bryan,
The question to ask is, 'Where were you when the ball last touched a team mate, before you became active in play?'

Where you were at the time of any previous touch by a team mate, is wholly irrelevant. Since in your account of the matter, you were in an offside position when the ball came off your team mate's head, as soon you became active in play (played the ball) you were guilty of an offside offence.

It doesn't matter which direction the ball travelled, that is also wholly irrelevant.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Bryan,
Offside is always considered at the last attacking touch.
So the moment it hits your teammate in the back of the head, offside position is reconsidered at that point - and where you were at the time of the initial pass becomes irrelevant.

The direction the ball travels in is also not a factor of offside.

So, if you were in an offside position when it hit your teammate in the back of the head, and you came from that position to retrieve the ball, then it's a free kick.