Question Number: 15009

Law 14 - Penalty kick 3/19/2007

RE: AYSO Under 15

scott of san bernardino, ca united states asks...

The red team is taking a penalty kick. The red player taing the kick kicks the ball, which deflects off of the goal keeper and right back to the red kicker. Since all oher players have to be behind the red penalty kicker before the ppnlty kick is made, would the red kicker be consiered offside when he/she kicks the ball diretly from he deflction?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Firstly: Regardless if they are taking a PK or not, a player cannot be penalize for offside when receiving a ball, while in the offside position, from himself! Only if it's from his teammate!

Secondly, it used to be, some years back, that everyone not taking the PK could stand in front of the ball/penalty spot -- even at or near the goal line. FIFA changed that because of the potentiality of offside and the lead AR not being in a position to judge offside, cuz he's been temporarily stationed on the goalline fore the taking of the PK. So, with the new mandated positioning for players not taking the kick, it's impossible to be considered offside.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Besides offside isn't a factor because the ball is between the goal line and the kicker. By definition there can be no offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

As noted above, offside is not an issue here. Something about receiving the ball from a teammate comes to mind. All the best,

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

See Question: 15163