Question Number: 16648

Law 11 - Offside 9/11/2007

RE: Grade 8 Under 15

John Duxbury of Drexel Hill, PA USA asks...

Hello, An offsides question. There are 2 offensive players who have legally gotten past all defenders (except the goalie). The offensive player without the ball is in front of the offensive player with the ball (closer to the goalline than the ball). The ball carrier is being pressured from behind and passes the ball forward to his teammate (who is still in front of the ball carrier). If he plays the ball, is it offsides?
Thanks, John

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Yes, from the scenario you post. If the offensive player had been behind the ball when his teammate passed it, he would have been onside.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

John your thinking concerning this has little merit because you relate positions of team mates instead of positions in relation to the ball. That is the determining factor in offside not the ball carrier. Smooth out those rough edges and think only ball. The answer becomes obvious then. Here is offside position and if that player interferes with play [touches the ball] or interferes with an opponent or gains advantage [the ball bounces back to him after hitting something in front of him] then there is an offside offence.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yes, because he is closer to goal line than ball and 2nd to last defender and on his attacking half of the field at the time his teammate touched the ball. This is offside if he gets involved in play.