Question Number: 17518

Law 11 - Offside 10/26/2007

RE: SELECT Under 12

BARRY BICKES of saltillo, mississippi usa asks...

On a direct kick can a player be off sides?

we had a direct kick their team lined up on the 18 yrd line and we had a player behind them close to the goal.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes, offside applies on free kicks, direct or indirect. The only restarts where it does not apply are those for which the ball had gone off the field - goal kick, corner kick and throw-in. It should also be noted that it is impossible for players to line up in an offside position at kickoffs and penalty kicks.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Barry,
as a coach here is a tactic that works only if a referee is on the ball so to speak. Also at the younger ages until offside becomes a bit more understood. Have your fast striker line up way outside of the free kick area about 15 to 20 yards in behind the ball. Your free kick taker must coincide the kick to take place just ahead of this striker on the dead run from 2o yards back . If the opponents put the offside trap on lots let them catch two offside players who as soon as the ball is kicked immediate sit down on the field. The opponents stand with arm in air, the ball goes through, run on to by the speeding striker who times his run so he was not offside just before the ball is struck. Once the striker touches the ball ahead of the former offside teammates they get up join in the play 3 on the keeper perfectly legal and a goal almost every time.