Question Number: 15689

Law 11 - Offside 6/3/2007

RE: Rec Under 10

April Loken of Mckinney, Texas U.S.A. asks...

On a direct or indirect kick on the other teams side of the pitch. If you have a really fast forward, is it offsides if you send your forward beyond the defence at the same time the ball is kicked so he can beat the defence to the ball. Does he have to wait until the ball crosses the defence or time it so he is one step closer in front of the defence before the ball is contacted (kicked)? I know this may be a confusing quetion but I hope you get what I am asking.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

What the player needs to be is at top speed, not offside when the ball is kicked and moved by his team mate. That's all! Things to consider: is the defense going to move? The skill of the assistant referee? the ability of a 9 year old to grasp this!

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the attacker is closer to goal line than ball and 2nd 2nd last defender before his teammate touches ball, then he is offside if he gets invovled in play. If he is onside at the time of the kick, then no offside can occur.

IS THIS WHAT YOU MEAN BEN?? cf

If the attacker is nearer the goal line than ball and 2nd last opponent before his teammate touches ball, then he commits an offside offense if he gets involved in play. If he is not offside at the time of the kick, then no offside offense can occur.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

You may find that without AR's the referee will have a hard time making this decision if he doesn't take up a position that allows him to evaluate this on the free kick. I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing for you - just one more thing to consider.