Question Number: 17404

Law 11 - Offside 10/20/2007

RE: Rec Under 9

Luis of Rocklin, CA USA asks...

Is there offsides on indirect free kick? I'm watching a game where a team was awarded an indirect free kick just outside the opposing team's box. The defending players all lined up even with the ball leaving the kicking team all alone in the penalty area to create an offsides. The kicker just passed the ball forward to a teammate who turned around and scored. Is the receiving player offsides?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Yes, offside applies on all free kicks, direct and indirect. That is an interesting tactic, and quite legal. I do hope the goalkeeper knew not to touch it? Correct call would have been an indirect free kick for the defense at the spot the offside attacker was when the ball was kicked. No goal.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Luis,
there are only three restarts where offside positional evaluation is not considered. The throw in and the goal kick and corner kicks both of which are DFK restarts. I suppose we could include the PK and kick off where all players must be behind the ball to legally restart.

It is a terrible tactic but if the kids they play against are worse it works. At age 8 or 9 offside is not a well thought out concept. Note there is no (s) on offside either. The indfk requires a second touch if kicked directly (1 touch only) into goal and the keeper aware the indfk two touch criteria is in effect, allows it to enter into his goal, he gets a goal kick out

When the defenders lined up with the ball all that was required was one smart attacker to get further back and run fast as he could run having the kicker kick the ball just before he got even and he would run onto the ball from an onside position while the rest of his team sat on the ground and watched in non involved offside positions. Staying out of the opponents way of course.

Free kicks for fouls and infringements that restart kick counts as a controled possession and last touch the offside position is reevaluated and offside criteria is in effect! Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Strange tactic but seems legal. All the attackers had to do was kick it sideways to a teammate even with the ball or slightly behind when the ball was kicked and he'd had a one on one with the keeper. Sounds silly. In answer to your question, yes, offside exists on an indirect free kick