Question Number: 16346

Law 11 - Offside 8/17/2007

RE: Premier Under 15

Erin of Charlotte, NC Mecklenburg asks...

Are you offside if you start running when the ball is kicked. Do you have to wait for the ball to past you to run onto it?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You are in offside position if you are in the attacking half and nearer the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the next to last defender. If you are in offside position when the ball is played or touched by a teammate you may not becomeing actively involved in play by interferring with play, interferring with an opponent, or by gaining an advantage by being in that position. There is no offside offence regardless of position if the ball is DIRECTLY received (i.e.doesn't touch another teammate which would reset offside) from a throw-in, goal kick or corner kick. Memorize this and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Erin, it depends on where you are when you start your run. If you are even with the second to last defender at the moment the ball is kicked by your teammate, then you are onside and can begin your run. If you are closer to the goal than the ball and the second to last defender, it doesn't matter when you start your run - you are in an offside position and cannot get involved without being called for offside. There is much more to being onside or offside, but for your specific question, I'll leave it at this much. Hope that helps.