Question Number: 16887

Law 11 - Offside 9/24/2007

RE: All Other

Clint Copeland of San Jose, CA US asks...

Offside Rule..

On a Goal Kick, the rule clearly states that a player cannot be offside.

I need help understanding the rationale of this rule or difference when considering that if an infringement occurred on the field of play by an attacking player, within the Goal Area, the play is restarted on the Goal Line closest to the spot where the infringement happened. In this sitauation if the play is started at the same spot as a Goal Kick, a player who is in an offside position when the ball is in play, would then be considered OFFSIDE. Eventhough the situation is somewhat the same.

Is it simply because of the definition of when a ball is considered in play from a Goal Kick versus IFK or is there a more technical reason that can be provided.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

As I understand, the exemption from offside on a goal kick extends back into the history of the Laws. Way back when, you were in an offside position whenever you were ahead of the ball. It didn't matter where the opponents were placed. And goal kicks were taken from the goal line, not anywhere inside the goal area as they are done today. Do you see the problem here? Every one of the teammates of the player taking the goal kick would be in an offside position, ineligible to receive the ball. Thus the exemption. It did not apply on free kicks which might be taken near the goal, as players had the option of kicking the ball laterally to a player slightly behind the ball.

By the way, there is no difference in when the ball is in play from a goal kick or from a free kick taken within the penalty area. Both must clear the penalty area into the field before they are in play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As they say, those are the rules. No offside infringement on goal kick, corner kick or throw-in.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

There is no offside offence possible on a goal kick is a "the sky is blue" kind-of-thing. You just have to believe in what is written. Ref Voshol gives the rationale, that goes back 150+ years.

I accept what the Law states, of course I stop at red and white octagonal signs too so believing in what is written isn't all that hard for me.

Regards,