Question Number: 16625

Law 11 - Offside 9/9/2007

Shmuel of jhb, sa asks...

If the defender is behind the goalie does the goalie become the last defender in respect to offsides.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

We count 2 opponents. We don't worry what positions they are playing. Usually the last defender is the goalkeeper, but often the keeper moves out and becomes the 2nd to last or 3rd to last defender. It looks really weird when that happens, and sometimes new AR's get confused. But not as confused as when the proper call is made, and the attacking team points at the sole defender still between the attacker and the goal, claiming it can't be offside because the defender is there. Yes, one opponent is there - it takes 2!

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Then yes, the keeper would be the second to last defender. We go by whichever defender is second to last with respect to their goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

If all the defenders and the goalkeeper were in the attacking half and only two attackers were left defending they would be the last two defenders and one would be the second last defender.

That's why Law 11 refers to the last but one opponent or the last two opponents, less confusion that way.

Regards,