Question Number: 16119

Law 11 - Offside 7/25/2007

RE: COMPETIVE Adult

Sandile Mamba of Mbabana, Africa SWAZILAND asks...

What's the ruling if an attacking player (pA) on the opposition's half, shoots at goal but the ball deflects to an opponent & fall kindly to pA's team-mate (pB) who was initially on an offside possition (still between goalkeeper & last defender when receiving the ball) when the initial shot @ goal was made by his team-mate (pA)

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The ruling, if I understand your scenario correctly, would be offside. If the shot rebounds or deflects off of a defending player, that does not change or reset the offside position of your pB when the ball was kicked by his teammate, and so pB is considered to still be in an offside position. Once he plays the ball that has so kindly fallen at his feet, the only possible decision is offside. Regards.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Sandle I agree with my colleague although your senarion sounds a bit muddled if we assume on the orioginal shot the ball deflects OFF an opponent and goes to a team mate of the shooter who was offside positioned WHEN the shot was taken he has gained an advantage from his position and would be clasified as offside!
A DEFLECTION of the ball off an OPPONENT changes NOTHING what was, remains. If the ball deflects off a TEAM MATE then new offside criteria are in effect as positional points are redefined to the moment of that TOUCH (deflection)
Cheers